Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

@article{197609,
        author = {S Krithi and Meera M and Aryasree A},
        title = {COMPARATIVE PRELIMINARY CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF BURNT FABRICS IN SUSPECTED ARSON CASES},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {12},
        number = {11},
        pages = {6407-6409},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=197609},
        abstract = {Arson investigation relies heavily on the detection and identification of ignitable liquid residues present in fire debris. This study focuses on the comparative preliminary chemical analysis of burnt fabric samples to identify commonly used accelerants such as petrol and kerosene. Various fabric types, including natural fibres (cotton, wool) and synthetic fibres (polyester, nylon), were examined to evaluate their absorption capacity, combustion behaviour, and residue retention characteristics. Controlled experimental burning was conducted under standardized laboratory conditions by applying measured quantities of accelerants to fabric samples. Post-combustion residues were extracted using solvent extraction techniques and analysed through chemical tests and chromatographic profiling methods. The findings indicate that petrol, due to its high volatility, undergoes rapid evaporation and results in partial loss of lighter hydrocarbons, leading to altered chemical profiles. In contrast, kerosene exhibits greater persistence because of its higher boiling point and heavier hydrocarbon composition. Fabric type significantly influences residue retention, with natural fibres showing higher absorption and better residue recovery compared to synthetic materials. The study highlights the importance of understanding substrate effects, evaporation dynamics, and chemical markers in forensic fire debris analysis. These insights contribute to improving the accuracy and reliability of accelerant identification in suspected arson cases.},
        keywords = {Arson Investigation, Fire Debris Analysis, Accelerants, Burnt Fabrics.},
        month = {April},
        }