The definition of an accelerant is a substance that accelerates the speed of fire or makes a fire more intense (Accelerant | Define Accelerant at Dictionary.com, n.d.). When forensic laboratories have debris that was collected from a crime scene they can use either the Headspace or the Vapor Concentration techniques to determine if there was an accelerant used. Both techniques use Gas Chromatography, which is separating mixtures based on their distribution between a stationary liquid phase and moving gas phase (Saferstein, 2011).
The Headspace Technique was developed in the 1980’s to aid in explaining the odor compounds found in the air surrounding objects such as plants, flowers and food (Headspace technology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, n.d.) Headspace analysis is the investigation of the components present in the gas, which is found at the top of the vial (Labhut Education Centre | Principles of GC Headspace Analysis, n.d.). The technique begins with the sample phase that is when the compound in question either a liquid or solid is combined with a solvent and then the vial is sealed. (Labhut Education Centre | Principles of GC Headspace Analysis," n.d.). The last step happens when the volatile components disperse into a gas …show more content…
The Vapor process uses a charcoal coated strip that is placed inside the container that is holds the debris collected at the crime scene (ChromLab: Headspace FAQs, n.d.). The container is heated to 60c for approximately an hour and during this time a substantial amount of the accelerant vaporizes into the containers space and the charcoal strip absorbs the accelerant vapor (Saferstein, 2011). After the heating process the strip is then removed from the container and rinsed with a solvent that forensic scientist then inject into the gas chromatograph to be analyzed (Saferstein,
The Headspace Technique was developed in the 1980’s to aid in explaining the odor compounds found in the air surrounding objects such as plants, flowers and food (Headspace technology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, n.d.) Headspace analysis is the investigation of the components present in the gas, which is found at the top of the vial (Labhut Education Centre | Principles of GC Headspace Analysis, n.d.). The technique begins with the sample phase that is when the compound in question either a liquid or solid is combined with a solvent and then the vial is sealed. (Labhut Education Centre | Principles of GC Headspace Analysis," n.d.). The last step happens when the volatile components disperse into a gas …show more content…
The Vapor process uses a charcoal coated strip that is placed inside the container that is holds the debris collected at the crime scene (ChromLab: Headspace FAQs, n.d.). The container is heated to 60c for approximately an hour and during this time a substantial amount of the accelerant vaporizes into the containers space and the charcoal strip absorbs the accelerant vapor (Saferstein, 2011). After the heating process the strip is then removed from the container and rinsed with a solvent that forensic scientist then inject into the gas chromatograph to be analyzed (Saferstein,