Abstract
While fire debris analysis is largely focused on petroleum-based ignitable liquids, other liquid fuels such as vegetable oils and alternative fuels may also fall within the scope of analysis of a fire debris examiner. The identification of vegetable oils, which can include cooking oils, stains, and drying oils, is potentially important in the context of fire investigation. Alternative fuels are becoming more common based on changes in fuel standards, which have increased general consumer use of biofuels and ethanol-based fuels. As such, these fuels are increasingly seen in casework.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Tyson S (2001) Biodiesel handling and use guidelines
Stauffer E (2005) A review of the analysis of vegetable oil residues from fire debris samples: spontaneous ignition, vegetable oils, and the forensic approach. J Forensic Sci 50:1–10
Stauffer E, Dolan JA, Newman R (2007) Fire debris analysis. Academic Press, Cambridge
Pitts SJ, Thomson CI (2003) Analysis and classification of common vegetable oils. J Forensic Sci 49:1147
Stauffer E (2005) A review of the analysis of vegetable oil residues from fire debris samples: spontaneous ignition, vegetable oils, and the forensic approach. J Forensic Sci 50:1–10
Schwenk LM, Reardon MR (2009) Practical aspects of analyzing vegetable oils in fire debris. J Forensic Sci 54:874–880. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01067.x
Morrison, D, Su YS, Fecke MJ (2006) Spontaneous combustion tendency of household chemicals and clothes dryers: part 1. Appliance Magazine 63(6):36–41
Knörr W, Daute P, Grützmacher R, Höfer R (1995) Development of new fields of application for linseed oil. Fett Wissenschaft Technologie/Fat Sci Technol 97:165–169. https://doi.org/10.1002/lipi.19950970502
Babrauskas V (2003) Ignition handbook: principles and applications to fire safety engineering, fire investigation, risk management and forensic science. Fire Science Publishers, Issaquah
Stauffer E (2006) A review of the analysis of vegetable oil residues from fire debris samples: analytical scheme, interpretation of the results, and future needs. J Forensic Sci 51:1016–1032. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00220.x
Byron D (2005) Analysis of vegetable oil residues from fire debris samples. Presented for the Metro Fire Investigators Association, Atlanta, GA, 15 June 2005
De Haan, JD (1996) Spontaneous ignition, part I: what really happens. Fire Arson Invest 46:13–17
De Haan JD (1996) Spontaneous ignition, part II: investigation. Fire Arson Invest 46:8–11
Gambrel AK, Reardon MR (2008) Extraction, derivatization, and analysis of vegetable oils from fire debris. J Forensic Sci 53:1372–1380. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00882.x
Gunstone FD, Hilditch TP (1945) The union of gaseous oxygen with methyl oleate, linoleate, and linelenate. J Chem Soc 836–841
Rampling K (2000) Spontaneous combustion of drying oils as a fire cause. T.C. Forensic, Lansvale
DeHaan JD (2002) Kirk’s fire investigation, 5th edn. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River
Goodman MR, Kaley EA, Finney EE (2016) Forensic analysis of biodiesel. Forensic Sci Int 263:10–26
Kuk RJ, Spagnola MV (2008) Extraction of alternative fuels from fire debris samples. J Forensic Sci 53:1123–1129. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2008.00823.x
ASTM E1412-16 (2016) Standard practice for separation of ignitable liquid residues from fire debris samples by passive headspace concentration with activated charcoal. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org
ASTM E1386-15 (2016) Committee practice for separation of ignitable liquid residues from fire debris samples by solvent extraction. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org
ASTM 2881-18 (2016) Committee test method for extraction and derivatization of vegetable oils and fats from fire debris and liquid samples with analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org
A beginner’s guide to mass spectrometry of fatty acids: part 1. Methyl esters. http://www.lipidhome.co.uk/ms/basics/ms-begin-1/index.htm. Accessed 2 Nov 2018
Gerpen JV (2005) Biodiesel processing and production. Fuel Process Technol 86:1097–1107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2004.11.005
Duffield JA, Johansson R, Meyer SUS. Ethanol: an examination of policy, production, use, distribution, and market interactions. 87
Weaver JW, Skaggs SA, Spidle DL, Stone GC. Composition and behavior of fuel ethanol. 69
Biofuels: ethanol and biodiesel—energy explained, your guide to understanding energy. Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=biofuel_home. Accessed 2 Nov 2018
Stauffer E, Byron D (2007) Alternative fuels in fire debris analysis: biodiesel basics. J Forensic Sci 52:371–379. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2006.00380.x
Lipid Technology Newsletter (1998) US legislates for increased biodiesel use. Lipid Technology Newsletter, August 1998, vol 4, No 4, p 73
ASTMD6584-17 (2016) Standard test method for determination of total monoglyceride, total diglyceride, total triglyceride, and free and total glycerin in B-100 biodiesel methyl esters by gas chromatography. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org
Alternative Fuels Data Center. Ethanol fuel basics. https://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/ethanol_fuel_basics.html. Accessed 2 Nov 2018
Haas M (2004) The interplay between feedstock quality and esterification technology in biodiesel production. Lipid Technol 16:7–11
Ejikeme PM, Anyaogu ID, Ejikeme CL, Nwafor NP, Egbuonu CAC, Ukogu K, Ibemesi JA (2010) Catalysis in biodiesel production by transesterification process—an insight. E-J Chem 7(4):1102–1132
Newman RT, Dietz WR, Lothridge K (1996) The use of activated charcoal strips for fire debris extractions by passive diffusion. Part 1: the effects of time, temperature, strip size, and sample concentration. J Forensic Sci 41:361–370. https://doi.org/10.1520/JFS13922J
ASTM E1618-14 (2014) Standard test method for identification of ignitable liquid residues in extracts from fire debris samples by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, www.astm.org
Allen M (2010) Can ethanol damage your engine? Yup. Here’s how. In: Popular mechanics. https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/biofuels/e15-gasoline-damage-engine. Accessed 2 Nov 2018
Stauffer E, Bonfanti M (2006) Forensic investigation of stolen-recovered and other crime-related vehicles. Elsevier, Amsterdam
Hanger C, Runkle D (2017) Forensic science assessments: a quality and gap analysis. Fire investigation, a plain language summary. AAAS
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Byron, D. (2019). Vegetable Oil, Biodiesel and Ethanol Alternative Fuels. In: Evans-Nguyen, K., Hutches, K. (eds) Forensic Analysis of Fire Debris and Explosives. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25834-4_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25834-4_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-25833-7
Online ISBN: 978-3-030-25834-4
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)