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Comparison Sample

fire debris, (1) a sample of material collected from a fire scene which is, to the best of the collector's knowledge, similar with respect to relevant characteristics to a sample suspected of containing ignitable substance, but which is not expected to contain an ignitable substance; (2) a sample of suspected ignitable substance submitted for the purpose of comparing with any ignitable substance separated from a debris sample.
Discussion—A comparison sample should not be confused with a control sample. For example, a comparison sample might include unburned carpet or flooring that meets the requirements in (1).
Discussion—Although, in theory, the use of comparison samples can help clarify the presence of a suspected inherent ignitable liquid, the presence of an ignitable liquid in a comparison sample does not necessarily mean it is inherent to the material.

Committee
Interdisciplinary
Date Added to Lexicon
Standard Source (Designation Number Title of Standard. Publisher, Place, Year.)
ANSI/ASTM E1732-24e1 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science. ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428, 2024. Source link
Reprinted, with permission, from ASTM E1732-24e1 Standard Terminology Relating to Forensic Science, copyright ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA 19428. A copy of the complete standard is available from ASTM International, https://www.astm.org