Arson Evidence Collection & Explosion Evidence and

Analysis Collection

- Ash and soot are collected from where the fire -is
Both fires- andCraters are found in the spot where the bomb detonated
thought to have started explosions leave and items/debris must be collected from both inside
- Substrate controls are taken for physical evidenceresidue that must
and outside the crater.
suspected of containing a flammable liquid be collected for - Materials like insulation and wood typically
- Investigators will also look for igniters such as analysis
- Airtight retain residue evidence better than harder materials
matches or Molotov cocktails - Mesh screens are used to sift through evidence
- Clothing must be collected quickly before containers are
used for - Ion mobility spectrometer uses a vacuum to test
flammable liquid evaporates. evidence; for explosive materials
- Technique called vapor concentration is also specific - Microscopes are used to analyze evidence
used to test for accelerants that may be present containers/bags- Other methods, such as acetone or x-ray diffraction
are used to
can be used to analyze high explosive residues
preserve
evidence
- Each piece of
evidence is
stored separately