In performing analysis of volatile liquids, what type of evidence is typically involved?

In the analysis of volatile liquids, solid debris is often the most relevant type of evidence. This is because solid debris may contain residues or traces of substances that have ignited or been involved in a fire, which can indicate the presence of volatile liquids like accelerants. When evaluating solid debris, forensic experts can perform various chemical analyses, such as gas chromatography, to identify compounds that may suggest the use of accelerants in arson cases.

Other types of evidence, such as gaseous samples, liquid containers, or surveillance footage, may not directly provide the same level of insight into the use of volatile liquids. While gaseous samples can be informative, they are often harder to collect and analyze effectively in a post-incident scenario. Liquid containers may indicate the presence of accelerants but do not always provide conclusive evidence of arson. Surveillance footage, while useful for providing context or identifying suspects, does not address the chemical analysis required to understand the presence of volatile liquids. Therefore, solid debris serves as a crucial element in arson investigations related to volatile liquids.