ENFSI collaborative testing programme for ignitable liquid analysis: a review

The Fire and Explosion Investigation Working Group of the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI) is the organiser of a collaborative testing programme for ignitable liquid analysis. The testing programme was initiated in 1998. Initially to inventory the analytical methods used in this field of analysis, but with the ultimate goal to establish a European testing programme for fire debris analysts. As of today, five tests have been conducted. This article will provide an overview of the first five ENFSI collaborative tests for ignitable liquid analysis. The background, objectives and characteristics of the testing programme are summarised, followed by an overview of the sample composition employed, the participants' performance, the difficulties and the lessons learned in each test.