title: Analytical tools for the analysis of fire debris. A review: 2008-2015.
abstract: The analysis of fire debris evidence might offer crucial information to a forensic investigation, when for instance, there is suspicion of the intentional use of ignitable liquids to initiate a fire. Although the evidence analysis in the laboratory is mainly conducted by a handful of well-established methodologies, during the last eight years several authors proposed noteworthy improvements on these methodologies, suggesting new interesting approaches. This review critically outlines the most up-to-date and suitable tools for the analysis and interpretation of fire debris evidence. The survey about analytical tools covers works published in the 2008-2015 period. It includes sources of consensus-classified reference samples, current standard procedures, new proposals for sample extraction and analysis, and the most novel statistical tools. In addition, this review provides relevant knowledge on the distortion effects of the ignitable liquid chemical fingerprints, which have to be considered during interpretation of results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Edificio Polivalente de Química, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33.6, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; University Institute of Research in Police Sciences (IUICP), University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33.6, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martín-Alberca
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Research in Police Sciences (IUICP), University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33.6, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Fernando Ernesto
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Ortega-Ojeda
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Edificio Polivalente de Química, University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33.6, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; University Institute of Research in Police Sciences (IUICP), University of Alcalá, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona Km. 33.6, 28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: carmen.gruiz@uah.es.
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: García-Ruiz
keywords: Arson; Chemometrics; Fire debris; Fire investigation; Gasoline; Ignitable liquid residues