M-Scan can analyse any type of fire debris for the presence of “accelerants”. The identification of product types is made with reference to our own extensive database of reference materials, and also using authoritative peer-reviewed publications.
In addition to the traditional “accelerant detection”, if petrol is detected in the debris, we can determine the brand of petrol that was used. Such information is often useful for screening CCTV footage, and also for linking a suspect to a scene (by analysing items found in the suspect’s possession for the presence of a similar brand of petrol).
Case Study
As a result of a serious fire in a house an elderly person died. Police Scenes of Crime Officers attended the house and established that the fire had been deliberately set. They suspected that petrol had been used to accelerate the fire and recovered some debris from the seat of the fire.
Following M-Scan’s analysis of the debris [headspace], we were able to establish that the product used to accelerate the fire was actually a medium petroleum distillate, such as barbecue lighting fluid or kerosene.
M-Scan Brochure: Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Analysis (8pp.)