Priority Action Report

Fire Debris and Explosives Subcommittee

Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis SAC

Vincent J. Desiderio

February 14, 2017
Fire Debris and Explosives

2
Subcommittee Leadership

Position Name Organization Term Email

Chair Vincent Desiderio US Postal 

Inspection Service 

3 Years vjdesiderio@uspis.gov

Vice Chair Susan Hetzel SEA Limited 4 Years shetzel@sealimited.com

Executive 

Secretary

Brenda Christy Virginia 

Department of 

Forensic Science 

3 Years brenda.christy@dfs.virginia.gov

3
Subcommittee Members

# Name Organization Email

1 Phillip Antoci New York City Police Department philip.antoci@nypd.org

2 Dr. Andrew T. Armstrong Armstrong Forensic Laboratory andrew@aflab.com

3 Marcela Brown National Institute of Standards and Technology marcela.najarro@nist.gov

4 Michelle Evans Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives michelle.r.evans@usdoj.gov

5 Dr. John Goodpaster Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis jvgoodpa@iupui.edu

6 Dr. Adam Hall Northeastern University a.hall@neu.edu

7 Christina Henry Santa Clara County Crime Laboratory CHenry@crimelab.sccgov.org

8 Dennis C. Hilliard Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory dch@uri.edu

9 Dr. Katherine Hutches Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives katherine.d.hutches@usdoj.gov

10 Douglas Klapec Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives doug.j.klapec@usdoj.gov

11 Wayne Moorehead Pennsylvania State University criminalistics@hotmail.com

12 Robert F. Mothershead II Federal Bureau of Investigation robert.mothershead@ic.fbi.gov

13 Reta Newman Pinellas County Crime Laboratory rtnewman@co.pinellas.fl.us

14 William A. Randle Missouri State Highwau Patrol will.randle@mshp.dps.mo.gov

15 Dr. Michael Sigman University of Central Florida michael.sigman@ucf.edu

16 Dr. Edward Sisco National Institute of Standards and Technology Edward.sisco@nist.gov

17 Lisa Windsor Tucson Police Department Crime Lab 4 lisa.windsor@tucsonaz.gov
Affiliates

# Name Organization

1 Jamie Baerncopf Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

2 Matthew Beardah UK-Defense Science and Technology Laboratory

3 Jesse Brown Defense Forensic Science Center

4 Inge Corbin Defense Forensic Science Center

5 Jeanet Hendrikse Netherlands Forensic Institute

6 Judith L. Hoffman Montana State Crime Laboratory

7 Raymond Kuk Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

8 Dr. Kimberly Kunkler United States Postal Inspection Service

9 Eamonn McGee Centre of Forensic Sciences

10 Natasha Neel Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives

11 Dr. Jimmie C. Oxley University of Rhode Island

12 Dr. Mark Sandercock Royal Canadian Mounted Police

13 Mary Williams University of Central Florida

5
Fire Debris and Explosives

The OSAC Subcommittee 

on Fire Debris and 

Explosives will focus on 

standards, guidelines, and 

resources related to the 

scientific examination and 

analysis of materials 

associated with fire and 

explosion investigations.

6
Summary of Priority Projects

Priority OSAC 

Process Working Title of Document

HIGH SDO (SDO-8) Standard Guide for a Systematic Approach to the Analysis and 

Identification of Ignitable Liquids in Fire-Related Samples 

HIGH SDO (SDO-9) Standard Guide for the Forensic Examination and Identification of 

Intact Explosives

HIGH SDO (SDO-6) Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Laboratories 

Performing Analysis of Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residues

HIGH SDO (SDO-1) Standard Practice for Reporting Results and Opinions of Explosives 

Analysis

HIGH SDO (SDO-2) Standard Practice for Reporting Results and Opinions of Fire Debris 

Analysis

7
Summary of Priority Projects

Priority Working Title of Document

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-13) Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid 

Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Active Headspace 

Concentration onto an Adsorbent Tube

MEDIUM RA (RA-2) ASTM E2451-13: Standard Practice for Preserving Ignitable 

Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris 

Samples

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-3) Standard Terminology Relating to the Examination of 

Explosives

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-4) Standard Terminology Relating to the Examination of Fire 

Debris

MEDIUM RA (RA-1) ASTM E2881-13e: Standard Test Method for Extraction and 

Derivatization of Vegetable Oils and Fats from Fire Debris and 

Liquid Samples with Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass 

Spectrometry 

8
Summary of Priority Projects

Priority OSAC

Process Working Title of Document

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-10) ASTM E1388-12: Standard Practice for Sampling of Headspace 

Vapors from Fire Debris Samples

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-7) E1412-12: Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid 

Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration 

With Activated Charcoal

MEDIUM RA (RA-3) ASTM E1386-15: Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable 

Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-12) E1413-13: Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid 

Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Concentration

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-11) E1618-14: Standard Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in 

Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass 

Spectrometry

9
Summary of Priority Projects

Priority OSAC

Process Working Title of Document

LOW SDO (SDO-14) Method Validation (New Document)

LOW SDO (SDO-5) Case file review (New Document- Passed to SAC)

10
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document

Document Title: 

(SDO-8) Standard Guide for a Systematic Approach to the Analysis 

and Identification of Ignitable Liquids in Fire-Related Samples 

Scope: 

This guide presents brief overviews of the techniques that are 

available for extracting/analyzing fire debris samples for the 

presence of ignitable liquids and provides guidance on the 

sequence in which analyses should proceed.

Objective/rationale: 

The objective is to provide a standard guide for approaching the 

analysis of ignitable liquids/residues in fire related samples.

11

Task Group Name: Document Development and Evaluation

Task Group Chair Name: Michelle Evans

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Michelle.R.Evans@usdoj.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: January 11, 2017
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document

Key Components of Standard: 

•Provides guidance for a systematic approach to the analysis of 

fire debris with consideration to:

•Evidence packaging, handling, and assessment/evaluation

•Sample preparation

•Instrumental analysis

•Data interpretation and reporting

•Serves as a branching off point for more specific documents.

12
Task Group/Subcommittee Action Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Complete documents in task 

group and send out to full 

subcommittee for evaluation.

SDO-200 M. Evans October 1, 2017

Priority 1: (SDO-8) Standard Guide for a Systematic Approach to the Analysis 

and Identification of Ignitable Liquids in Fire-Related Samples 

13
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document

Document Title: 

(SDO-9) Standard Guide for the Forensic Examination and 

Identification of Intact Explosives

Scope: 

This guide presents brief overviews of the techniques that are 

available for analyzing intact explosive samples and provides 

guidance on the sequence in which analyses should proceed.

Objective/rationale: 

The objective is to provide a standard guide for approaching the 

analysis of intact explosives.

14

Task Group Name: Document Development and Evaluation

Task Group Chair Name: Michelle Evans

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Michelle.R.Evans@usdoj.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: January 19, 2017
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document

Key Components of Standard: 

•Provides guidance for a systematic approach to the analysis of 

intact explosives with consideration to:

•Evidence packaging, handling, and assessment/evaluation

•Sample preparation

•Instrumental analysis

•Serves as a branching off point for more specific documents.

•Provide guidance for what components must be present to identify 

specific types of explosives.

15
Task Group/Subcommittee Action Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Complete documents in task 

group and send out to full 

subcommittee for evaluation.

SDO-200 M. Evans October 1, 2017

Priority 2: (SDO-9) Standard Guide for the Forensic Examination and 

Identification of Intact Explosives

16
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 3 Document

Document Title: 

(SDO-6) Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Laboratories 

Performing Analysis of Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residues

Scope: 

This practice covers quality assurance issues in forensic 

laboratories performing forensic ignitable liquid/residue 

analysis including evidence handling, method validation, 

documentation, proficiency testing, audits, and health and 

safety. 

Objective/rationale: 

The objective is to provide a standard practice for establishing 

quality procedures in laboratories that perform fire debris analysis.

Task Group Name: QA/QC

Task Group Chair Name: Robert Mothershead

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Robert.Mothershead@ic.fbi.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: January 20, 2017

17
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 3 Document

Key Components of Standard:

•This document provides guidance for the elements that are 

necessary to ensure that quality work is being performed in the fire 

debris laboratory.

•Areas that are covered include:

•Quality Management System Requirements

•Personnel

•Physical Plant Requirements

•Evidence Handling Considerations

•Analytical Procedures

•Instrument/Equipment Performance

•Handling of Records

•Health and Safety Requirements

18
Task Group/Subcommittee Action Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Complete task group review 

and present to the 

subcommittee for review and 

approval.

SDO-100 R. Mothershead April 21, 2017

Identify relevant SDO and 

assemble and submit packet.

SDO200/SDO-300R. Mothershead July 31, 2017

Submit to C&IA SAC for 

review.

SDO-400 V. Desiderio August 15, 2017

Priority 3: (SDO-6) Standard Practice for Quality Assurance of Laboratories 

Performing Analysis of Ignitable Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residues

19
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 4 Document

Document Title: 

(SDO-1) Standard Practice for Reporting Results and Opinions of 

Explosives Analysis

Scope: 

This practice:

1) Serves as a guide in report writing for the examination and analysis of 

intact explosives, post-blast explosive residues, and improvised explosive devices.

2) Applies to the writing of explosives reports, which are not normally 

written in a full formal scientific format, but rather in a condensed format.

3) Establishes key elements for the reporting of these results that are 

informational, understandable, and suitable for both criminal and civil 

litigation.

Objective/rationale: 

To provide systematic guidance for the practice of reporting the results of 

explosives related laboratory examinations.

20

Task Group Name: Reports, Terminology, and Testimony

Task Group Chair Name: Dr. Katherine Hutches

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Katherine.D.Hutches@usdoj.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: January 17, 2017
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 4 Document

Key Components of Standard: 

•Provides guidance for report content and format

•Provides guidance for clearly reporting results

•Provides report wording examples

21
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Complete revisions within 

task group and present to the 

subcommittee for evaluation.

SDO-200 K. Hutches April 21, 2017

Priority 4: (SDO-1) Standard Practice for Reporting Results and 

Opinions of Explosives Analysis

22
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 5 Document

Document Title: 

(SDO-2) Standard Practice for Reporting Results and Opinions of Fire Debris 

Analysis

Scope: 

This practice:

1) Serves as a guide in report writing for the examination and analysis of fire 

debris and related evidence for the presence of ignitable liquids and ignitable liquid 

residues.

2) Applies to the writing of fire debris reports, which are not normally written in a full 

formal scientific format, but rather in a condensed format.

3) Establishes key elements for the reporting of these results that are 

informational, understandable, and suitable for both criminal and civil litigation.

Objective/rationale: 

To provide systematic guidance for the practice of reporting the results of fire 

debris related laboratory examinations.

23

Task Group Name: Reports, Terminology, and Testimony

Task Group Chair Name: Dr. Katherine Hutches

Task Group Chair Contact Information: Katherine.D.Hutches@usdoj.gov

Date of Last Task Group Meeting: January 17, 2017
Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 5 Document

Key Components of Standard: 

•Provides guidance for report content and format

•Provides guidance for clearly reporting results

•Provides report wording examples

24
Task Group/Subcommittee Action 

Plan

Planned Actions

OSAC Process 

Stage (e.g., 

SDO 100) 

Assignee Estimated

Completion Date

Complete revisions within 

task group and present to the 

subcommittee for evaluation.

SDO-200 K. Hutches April 21, 2017

Priority 5: (SDO-2) Standard Practice for Reporting Results and 

Opinions of Fire Debris Analysis

25
Summary of Priority Projects

Priority Working Title of Document

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-13) Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid 

Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Active Headspace 

Concentration onto an Adsorbent Tube

MEDIUM RA (RA-2) ASTM E2451-13: Standard Practice for Preserving Ignitable 

Liquids and Ignitable Liquid Residue Extracts from Fire Debris 

Samples

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-3) Standard Terminology Relating to the Examination of 

Explosives

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-4) Standard Terminology Relating to the Examination of Fire 

Debris

MEDIUM RA (RA-1) ASTM E2881-13e: Standard Test Method for Extraction and 

Derivatization of Vegetable Oils and Fats from Fire Debris and 

Liquid Samples with Analysis by Gas Chromatography-Mass 

Spectrometry 

26
Summary of Priority Projects

Priority OSAC

Process Working Title of Document

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-10) ASTM E1388-12: Standard Practice for Sampling of Headspace 

Vapors from Fire Debris Samples

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-7) E1412-12: Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid 

Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Passive Headspace Concentration 

With Activated Charcoal

MEDIUM RA (RA-3) ASTM E1386-15: Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable 

Liquid Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Solvent Extraction

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-12) E1413-13: Standard Practice for Separation of Ignitable Liquid 

Residues from Fire Debris Samples by Dynamic Headspace Concentration

MEDIUM SDO (SDO-11) E1618-14: Standard Test Method for Ignitable Liquid Residues in 

Extracts from Fire Debris Samples by Gas Chromatography-Mass 

Spectrometry

27
Research & Development Needs Identified

• https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/osac-research- development-needs

• Evaluation and Comparison of Different Adsorption/Elution 

Methodology

• Determining the Threshold of Identification for Ignitable 

Liquids

• Source Attribution for Ignitable Liquids from Fire Debris

• General research in support of new standards

28
Additional Items of Interest

• Reports, Interpretation, and Terminology Task Group

• Developing Daubert resources for Fire Debris and Explosives 

analysis.

• Research and Training Task Group 

• Developing training resources for Fire Debris and Explosives 

analysis.

• Working on a project that is looking at the various GC/MS methods 

used for Fire Debris Analysis

• Subcommittee Website

• https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/fire-debris-andexplosives-subcommittee

• Notes on the Challenges that We Face

29
Priority Action Report

Fire Debris and Explosives Subcommittee

Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis SAC

Vincent J. Desiderio

February 14, 2017