Forensic and Scientific Testing, Inc. provides the following:
Our Fire Debris analysis procedure follows ASTM Standards E-1618, which define the GC/MS pattern recognition technique. This is the industry standard for identifying components of flammable liquids in an evidence sample. Our laboratory equipment includes Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometers (GC/MS) with automated samplers, which is recommended by ASTM protocols for fire debris analysis. The automated sampler assures clean, consistent, and accurate results. Additionally, our laboratory includes an extensive library of standards for comparison to unknown samples, microscope examination capability, and wet chemistry engineering.
Ignitable liquids such as gasoline and charcoal lighter may contain hundreds of individual chemical components. The pattern recognition technique used in fire debris analysis requires the chemist to recognize the pattern formed by the components of ignitable liquids which have been separated in the GC and confirmed by mass spectra data from the Mass Spectrometer (MS). FAST, Inc. brings to bear the confidence of years of specialized training and experience to each analysis. Other testing can be performed on fire debris samples, such as FAME (Fatty Acid Methyl Esters) for determining the degree of unsaturation for vegetable oil which indicates the tendencies of self heating. FAME testing is useful when a fire is suspected of having been caused by spontaneous ignition of vegetable oils.
Elemental analysis is used to evaluate and quantify wear metal elements, additive elements, and contamination elements. Wear metals are analyzed to pinpoint problem areas through trend analysis. By analyzing the additive elements, the oil classification of a sample can be verified (i.e. hydraulic oil, transmission fluid, or engine oil). Contamination elements are reviewed to determine lubricant serviceability and to pinpoint causes of problems indicated by other test results. Gasoline contamination tests detect additives such as sugar.
Oil and transmission fluid analysis is a series of laboratory tests used to evaluate the condition of used engine and transmission components. By studying the results of the used oil and transmission fluid analysis tests, a determination of wear and component condition can be made. This is possible because of the "cause and effect" relationship of the condition of the oil and transmission fluid to the condition of the engine or transmission sampled.
The inspection or analysis of fluids has been used to check and evaluate the internal condition of components since the beginning of the machine age. In the case of automobile loss, this analysis can provide the investigator a wealth of information as to how the engine and/or transmission was performing prior to the failure.
We require the following information to provide you a detailed analysis of the fluid:
We understand that in an automobile loss some of this information cannot be obtained. We can still perform the same analysis, but the report will not be as detailed.
Forensic and Scientific Testing, Inc. provides fire investigation support through the following:
We can also provide the following services:
