No Smoke Without Fire

Arson is considered to be a grave crime and so investigators try their best in detecting cases of arson while exploring fire accidents. Accelerants are most commonly used to stage fake fire accidents. Accelerants, or chemicals used to flare up a blaze are commonly used in cases of arson. The most common accelerants are kerosene, gasoline, turpentine and diesel. These organic mixtures contain combinations of hydrocarbon molecules. While accelerants evaporate, the hydrocarbons move further into the air on top of the fire wreckage, known as the headpiece.

There are a number of ways in which accelerants can be detected. It is not difficult for an inexperienced inspector to judge it, as it is not for a trained sniffer dog. Certain clues make it very evident that accelerants were used.

Headspace gas chromatography is perhaps the most used technique in identifying accelerants. Gas chromatography includes extrication of blends of gases into their distinct constituents, having foundation on the diverse boiling points of their hydrocarbons. The gasses can be separated because each churns out a discrete chemical fingerprint called a chromatogram.

Once the sample is collected from among the debris at the fire site, it is sent for testing for headspace gas chromatography. The process is common, but requires a lot of skill. Airtight containers are required to ensure the accelerants don't escape. If any traces of accelerants are found in the debris, it will serve as evidence for arson.Determining Asphyxiation

Asphyxiation is a condition in which death is encountered due to deprivation of oxygen. It can result from a number of incidents like strangling or pressuring the throat, suffocation, sinking, congesting, and suspension from a higher object.