Forensic investigation of arson residue by infrared and Raman spectroscopy: From conventional to non-destructive techniques

Abstract

Arson can result in highly challenging and complicated crime scenes. Much physical evidence undergoes chemical degradation because of the destructive nature of fire, while accelerants either completely burn or evaporate, and may be present in traces within any of the decomposed materials. To identify the original material and the accelerant involved, it is necessary to use advanced analytical techniques. Gas chromatography, with different detectors, is one of the most frequently used instruments in fire debris and accelerant analysis. Among other instruments, capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced thermal desorption Fourier transform mass spectrometry are two major contributors. Vibrational spectroscopy, including infrared absorption and Raman scattering, is one of the major non-destructive tools for the analysis of evidence because of its advantages over other spectroscopic techniques. Most studies involving vibrational spectroscopy (i.e. infrared and Raman spectroscopy) have focused on the identification of commonly found household materials, while very few studies have considered the identification of ignitable liquids. This article reviews studies based on an analysis of fire debris and accelerants by vibrational spectroscopic techniques and considers the limitations and future perspectives of arson investigations in forensic science.

Innovative Vibrational Spectroscopy Research for Forensic Application

“…Yadav et al also reviewed the use of vibrational spectroscopy for arson residues. 140 They determined that, while IR and Raman spectroscopies are valuable due to the capability of nondestructive analysis, most research is focused on the identification of household products. They suggested that spectroscopy research going forward should turn toward ignitable liquid identification and quantification and examine other important materials routinely found in arson cases (paper, cloth, currency notes, wood, metal, and additional matrices).…”

“…While the bulk of the articles referenced used GC-MS methods, some spectroscopy articles were included. Yadav et al also reviewed the use of vibrational spectroscopy for arson residues . They determined that, while IR and Raman spectroscopies are valuable due to the capability of nondestructive analysis, most research is focused on the identification of household products.…”

Interpol review of fire debris analysis and fire investigation 2019–2022

“…Yadav et al discussed the use of infrared and Raman spectroscopy in examining fire debris samples [ 77 ]. The article primarily focused on using these techniques to identify polymers in the debris and not on ignitable liquids.…”

Rapid Detection of Accelerants in Fire Debris Using a Field Portable Mid-Infrared Quantum Cascade Laser Based Analyzer

“…A variety of spectroscopic techniques have been reported for analyzing petroleum products in fire debris samples [8]. This includes vapor phase UV-vis [9], electronic aroma detection, [10], laser induced break down [11], and vibrational spectroscopy such as near-IR, mid-IR, and Raman [8] [12] [13] [14]. Most of these spectroscopic studies involved sample pretreatment and complicated extraction methods.…”