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Comparison Sample

Definition

A sample of the same substrate type collected from an unburned area of the same room or adjacent space. Provides the substrate background chromatogram against which fire debris GC-MS data is compared in the background subtraction methodology.

Related terms

Accelerant Detection Canine (ADC)
A dog trained by operant conditioning to alert on the vapour signature of ignitable liquids. Certified under ASTM E2323; used as a...
ASTM E1492
Standard Practice for Receiving, Documenting, Storing, and Retrieving Evidence in a Forensic Science Laboratory: establishes container requirements for fire debris (metal can...
ASTM E2323
Standard guide for forensic engineering investigations of buildings affected by fire. Specifies minimum competency requirements for accelerant detection canine teams, including vapour...
Combustible Gas Indicator (CGI)
An instrument that measures vapour concentration as a percentage of the lower explosive limit (LEL) using a catalytic bead sensor. Used for...
Handler Cueing
The unintentional communication of handler expectation to a detection dog through subtle postural, gestural, or vocal cues. Identified by Lit et al....
NFPA 921
US National Fire Protection Association Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations. The internationally accepted methodology Indian fire investigators and SFSL fire divisions...
Photoionisation Detector (PID)
An electronic instrument that uses a UV lamp (typically 10.6 eV) to ionise organic vapour molecules and measures the resulting ion current....
SWGFEX
Scientific Working Group for Fire and Explosion Investigation. A US-based multidisciplinary body that developed best practice guides for fire debris collection, canine...
Vapour Loss
The escape of low-boiling hydrocarbon fractions from a sealed fire debris sample through an imperfect container seal, or by volatilisation during warm...

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