Division of State Fire Marshal

Bureau of Forensic Fire and Explosive Analysis

Chemical Analysis

The  primary objective of the Bureau is to provide timely and credible forensic analysis of evidence.  The Chemistry Section achieves this objective through its analysis of: fire debris to determine the presence and identity of any ignitable liquids, explosives debris and residues to identify chemical components of the explosives , non-drug chemicals recovered from clandestine laboratories, and the coordination of latent fingerprint requests.  The presence of an ignitable liquid from the point of origin of a fire often aids investigators in determining the source of a fire.  The identity of chemicals in explosive scenes and clandestine laboratories aids investigators with information critical to concluding their investigation. Latent fingerprints found in a crime scene often allows for establishing the presence of a suspect at the scene.

From January 1, 2006 to January 1, 2007, the Bureau analyzed 2343 cases containing 4571 samples. Quality assurance samples are also routinely prepared and analyzed in order to assess the efficiency and quality of the laboratory's extraction, analysis, and interpretation procedures. These add to the total number of forensic samples processed by the laboratory. The Bureau also completed 1853 analyses on samples submitted from suspected explosions, chemical reaction bombs, and clandestine laboratories.

For the 2005/2006 Fiscal Year, the State Fire Marshal's Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation (BFAI) is the laboratory's primary submitter with 83% of forensic samples.  Local Fire Departments submitted 11% of the samples while Police Departments and Sheriff's Offices submitted the remaining 6% of samples.  Laboratory services are provided to all law enforcement or fire department submitters without cost.  Analysts will be made available for expert testimony provided a proper subpoena is presented.

Forensic evidence must be submitted to the Bureau either by hand delivery or via a certified carrier (United States Postal Service - certified mail only, Federal Express, United Parcel Service, DHL, etc.)  (Evidence Submission Form DFS-K5-1096). Please be aware that there are federal as well as company specific restrictions regarding the shipment of materials.  Specifically, you must be aware that certain items must be listed as "dangerous goods" and thus have special labeling requirements. Other items may have an "excepted quantities" variation.

Forensic evidence submitted to the Bureau will be returned to all submitters other than those from the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations. Evidence will either be returned or placed in storage only after the samples are tested and a report is mailed.  Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations submitters will be queried on a periodic basis as to the need for continued storage of their evidence.  Should evidence be needed for court purposes, either the investigator or a court officer may request the evidence be shipped to them.

For specific requests as to evidence receipt or disposition, please contact Kelly McHugh at the laboratory.

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