Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

for Forensic Identification of Post-Blast Explosive Residues. TWGFEX organised a
one-day symposium and many training courses in Orlando in 2009. 157
The Ignitable Liquids Reference Collection (ILRC) was developed by the ILRC
Committee of the TWGFEX. The Ignitable Liquids Reference Collection is a
compilation of reference materials used by forensic analysts to conduct fire debris
analysis. The ILRC consists of a comprehensive set of ignitable liquids and
accompanying characterization data used in the analysis of fire debris samples in
accordance with the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E-1618
standard test methods. Another TWGFEX database is a substrate database, which is
a tool designed for screening purposes only. It does not replace the need for
obtaining comparison samples to evaluate the matrix, but it gives good tools for
estimating the results. These two databases are easy to use and all information is
valuable for regular work.
Other important forensic discussion forums are international conferences. The
European Academia of Forensic Science (EAFS) organises Triennial Meetings,
stimulates OOS workshops and effective transfer of knowledge between institutions.
In the EAFS conference organised in 2009, the working group (FEIWG) had two
workshops: Fatal fires and Interpretation of analytical data. 156 The American
Academia of Forensic Science (AAFS) organised annual meetings including
workshops, presentations and posters. 158 The Australian and New Zealand Forensic
Science Society (ANZFSS) holds an International Symposium every two years. The
meeting and sessions cover the major disciplines of forensic science. 159 The
International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS) brings together academics and
practicing professionals of various disciplines in forensic sciences and organizes
triennial meetings. 160 A part of Nordic co-operation are the meetings of the fire group
(Nordisk brandgruppe). The group meets twice a year discussing the latest
viewpoints of fire investigation. The meetings include seminars and some tests, such
as interpretations of fire scene photographs. Also a manual for fire investigation was
published in 1999 and it has been updated several times since then. 161
8.2 International Collaborative Tests
Quite many forensic laboratories are accredited and they need a collaborative or
proficiency test to prove the reliability of the test results. One possibility is
Collaborative Testing Services (CTS) 162 , which combines experience with forensic
interlaboratory tests as Flammable Analyses. All participants report the results and
methodology used in case it may help others to develop their own analyses. For the
Flammables tests, examiners provide the detection, identification and comparison of
flammable residue evidence. In 2009, the Flammables Analysis Test was sent to 371
participants and 302 participants (81%) returned the data. Approximately 93% of the
returners did the identification of the flammable substance correctly. 163
The ENFSI Fire and Explosion Investigation Working Group is the provider of a
Collaborative Testing Program for ignitable liquid analysis to Working Group
members. The collaborative tests are designed to share and exchange knowledge on
subjects such as techniques, products used as accelerants in various countries,
matrix and weathering effects and so on. They are not designed to monitor the
performance of individual laboratories like the proficiency tests. Participation in this
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