Fire Investigator Tools
Fire investigators use tools to detect fire accelerators that are commonly found at the scene on an arson fire. Accelerators include kerosene, gasoline, and even paint solvents. When a fire is extinguished, as soon as it cools enough for the investigator to enter, the fire is investigated.
- Photoionization detectors or PID’s are modern instruments that measure hydrocarbon vapors. This instrument is very accurate. Measurement of vapors sensitivity goes from parts per billions (ppb) to parts per million (ppm).
- When a hydrocarbon registers on the PID, the investigator prepares a sample for further lab analysis. Hydrocarbons are amounts of fire accelerants that are left behind and are fully consumed by the fire.
- Before modern instruments and laboratory techniques were available, people used dogs to sniff out fire accelerator. Dogs are less efficient that the hand-held PIS’s and are rapidly being replaced.
- The instrument has a probe wired to the instrument to pinpoint the area of accelerant. The investigator checks cracks between boards, unburned wood and concrete, and under rugs. The investigator wants to pinpoint the area of highest hydrocarbon parts to send to the lab. The lab can detect which type of accelerant was used by testing the sample. When investigators know whether a fire was started by an accelerant or not, they know if they need to further explore the cause of a fire.
- In addition to the PID, arson investigation solid sampler kits are sold that come complete with gloves, evidence tape, Glass Jars with Polypropylene Nozecon cap, Test Tubes with polypropylene, high-Pressure and vacuum filtration. These kits ensure that the evidence collector deters contamination. When the laboratory performs their test they require samples free of debris and contamination in order to identify what type of accelerant, if any, started the fire.