U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 NIJ and University of Central Florida Fire Research: Identifying Ignitable Liquids in Fire Debris and Providing Error Rates for Purposes of Testifying
NCJ Number
              251477

Date Published

November 2016
Length
              2 pages
Annotation
              This paper describes a research project in which Dr. Michael Sigman and Mary Williams of the University of Central Florida developed a method for analyzing fire debris for ignitable liquids in samples that are highly contaminated with pyrolysis interferences.
Abstract
              The method averages mass spectra across an entire chromatographic run. It can effectively classify ignitable liquids according to the widely accepted ASTM International classification scheme. Fire-debris analysts currently render opinions as to whether or not a fire debris sample tested positive for ignitable liquid residue without stating a known error rate for the assessment. Use of the new method, however, assists analysts in estimating an objective measure of confidence based on established statistical models. The research team developed a chemometric data analysis method to facilitate the identification of gas chromatography-mass spectral patterns associated with ignitable liquid classes. A novel method was developed based on target factor analysis (TFA) and Bayesian decision theory that classifies ignitable liquid residue in the presence of background interferences found in the debris. The testing of this new method of fire debris analysis correctly identified the presence of ignitable fluid 80-85 percent of the time.
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2008-DN-BX-K069
                                2011-DN-BX-K564


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Technical Assistance)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)
                                Program/Project Description
                                Factsheet


  
  
        
  Award
        Forensic Science Training Development and Delivery Program
                                Application of Chemometrics for the Identification of Ignitable Liquids in Fire Debris Samples
    
  
  
Date Published: November 1, 2016
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF
                  HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Arson
        Arson investigations
        Crime Scene
        Fire investigation
        Forensic laboratories



  
Similar Publications
        
                      White Paper – Electronic Medical Records In Medicolegal Death Investigation
                  Reversible and irreversible protein glutathionylation: biological and clinical aspects
                  Understanding Work-Related Stress among Medicolegal Death Investigators: A National Survey and Mixed-Methods Impact Study
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov