Fire Investigators Kit
To assist the fire investigator, maximise their ‘productivity’ and minimise the number of lab samples that need to be taken, a number of useful accessories and spares should be provided:-
- Long, flexible probe, to enable access to awkward spaces and gaps between floorboards and ceilings
- Vehicle adaptor to keep the rechargeable battery topped up plus AA battery pack for ‘emergency use’
- Exhaust barb to allow air samples to be captured whilst measuring for subsequent lab analysis if required
- Bump test pen & calibration gas to check functionality and accuracy
- Spare PTFE filters
- Rugged carrying case
Modern PID sensors are able to ‘compete’ with arson investigation dogs in terms of sensitivity and offer a number of advantages. They are portable and easy to use in the complex aftermath of a fire and can run for many hours, where dogs may otherwise tire or become desensitised. PIDs will increase the productivity of the fire investigator and reduce the number of samples that need to be sent to the lab for analysis. The subsequent cost savings make for an excellent return on investment. PIDs are simple to use and give a continuous read-out for the rapid location of residual accelerants at a fire scene.
The ION Science Fire Investigators Kit with Tiger or TigerLT photoionisation detector (PID) has been specifically designed to provide you with all the tools for a convenient, easy-to-use solution for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within Fire and Arson Investigation applications.
Fire investigation teams are responsible for the examination and assessment of suspected arson-related sites, and further analysis of suspicious samples.
In suspected arson cases, it is part of the investigation to prove that there is no other cause of the fire. The ION Science Fire Investigation Kit can be used to detect hydrocarbon compounds such as those found in petrol, alkanes, and cycloalkanes. Fire investigators including the police, consultants and private investigators acting on behalf of insurance companies, will search for every type of fire accelerant such as grill lighters, lighter fuel, liquid glue and cleaning agents.
In the aftermath of a fire, significant values can already be 1-20 parts per million (ppm). Depending on the period of time between the occurrence of the fire and the examination, potential VOC gases might have partially disappeared. As a result, values always vary and sometimes the measured values can reach 100 ppm or more.
The extinguishing foam used by fire teams contains proteins and other hydrocarbon compounds that can produce falsified results and make usable measurements difficult.
Download our Guide: Detecting arson accelerants for fire or arson investigation
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