Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Evaluation Of Field Sampling And Analysis Methods For Fire Investigation Including Electronic Noses And Adsorption Sampling/Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, Laura Conner

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study evaluates the use of commercially available instruments for locating and collecting accelerants in the field. Electronic noses can be used to scan a fire scene for the possible presence of an accelerant. The TLV Sniffer® was found to be able to detect accelerants at low levels but did alert to some burned matrix alone. When subjected to a proficiency test designed for canines, the TLV Sniffer® was able to locate accelerants in two of the three tests. The tpi®Pocket was found not to be sensitive or selective enough to be useful in locating accelerants. Once the location of …