The primary technique is **Gas Chromatography (GC)**, often coupled with **Mass Spectrometry (MS)** for identification. The process typically involves: 1) **Sample Collection**: Fire debris (wood, carpet, soil) is collected in an airtight container (e.g., a paint can or nylon bag). 2) **Sample Preparation**: The sealed container is heated in an oven, and the volatile compounds from any potential accelerant are driven into the headspace (the air space above the debris). This is called **headspace sampling**. 3) **Extraction**: The vapors in the headspace are extracted, often using a syringe or by drawing them through an adsorbent tube. 4) **Analysis**: The extracted vapors are injected into a **Gas Chromatograph**. The GC separates the complex mixture of hydrocarbons based on their boiling points and affinity for the column. The resulting chromatogram shows a pattern of peaks. For identification, the sample is often analyzed by **GC-MS**, which provides a mass spectrum for each peak. The pattern and specific compounds are compared to reference libraries of known accelerants (e.g., gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid) to make an identification.

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Zambia

• loveness Phiri – 801 pts

• Visual Pathway Lesions
• Positive and Negative Symptoms
• Hallucinations and Delusions
• Antipsychotic Medications
• Emergency: Environmental Emergencies