Review: Recent advancements and moving trends in chemical analysis of fire debris

Abstract

This review describes recent advances and current trends in fire debris analysis from 2014 to 2021. Onsite analytical techniques used for fire scene investigation, identifying samples of interest for later analysis as well as onsite confirmatory techniques are examined. Laboratory techniques are reviewed both from a perspective of instrumentation and data analysis. Advances in analytical techniques include GC x GC-TOFMS, DART-MS, HS-GC-IMS. New and emerging methods of data analysis including those using machine learning are assessed. Each aspect is essential for forensic scientists to obtain the correct conclusion when collecting, examining, analysing, and interpreting fire debris. This review concludes that there is a need for the validity and certainty of all methods to be assessed if they are to be used to generate reports or draw conclusions.

Keywords: Accelerants; Arson investigation; Chemometrics; Destructive techniques; Fire debris analysis; Ignitable liquids; Non-destructive techniques.