Engine Testing

Forensic Oil testing tells you the condition of the engine. Forensic Oil sampling kits reduce the cost of your investigation, lower the threshold limit for investigations, and increase your chance to prevent fraud.

Forensic testing of vehicle fluids (oil, fuel, transmission, and brake fluid) provides information to determine the condition of the vehicle at the time of the fire, flood, or theft. The condition of the fluids and the vehicle can help identify damage, failure, motive, and value.

The best answers are real forensic investigations from our 30+ years of experience.

A man in North Carolina discovers his vehicle missing. He intends to file a stolen vehicle report and insurance claim on Monday morning. On Sunday before, his vehicle is discovered. In North Carolina; near his home; burned. The police suspect the owner. The insurance company suspects the owner. The insurance investigator does a thorough investigation including a sample of the engine oil.

The forensic oil analysis indicates massive wear and engine failure. This is an excellent motive for the owner to torch the car. Only, the investigator has in his notes that the oil was changed at a service station the previous week. The service station recorded the mileage at the time of service. The burned abandoned vehicle had 3000+ additional miles on it.

Further investigation and evidence proved the car had been stolen, used on a multi-state drug run, returned, and torched to destroy the evidence. +1 for the Innocent Man, 0 for the Bad Guys. Facts make your case.

Testing the oil, fuel, transmission fluid, and brake fluid are quick and easy, with no out pocket expense for the investigator. Get this information you need for your thorough investigation. Get the facts.

US Department of Transportation Regulations states that samples 2 ounces or less of oil or gasoline must be shipped using an “overpack” mailer. The sample bottle must be placed in a sealable container with enough cushioning material surrounding it to absorb all potential leakage. The cushioning and sample bottle must be packed within a securely sealed secondary container that can then be placed in a box or shipping container (mailer). The samples can only be sent via ground shipping and cannot be sent through the air (overnight) or on a carrier that handles passengers.

The Armstrong Forensic Laboratory Vehicle Fluid Sampling Kit complies with all DOT shipping requirements.

It is very important that samplers collect fuels and oils in the proper containers. Not all plastics are satisfactory for collection of petroleum products as the aromatic components quickly destroy or solubilize some of the plastics. The containers provided in the tests kits have been thoroughly tested to provide protection for your evidence. The one ounce plastic jars provide a satisfactory quantity for testing but must be over packed in the black plastics for shipping in accordance to the Code of Federal Regulations. Only one one-ounce clear container is necessary for a fuel or oil analysis. Two are included in a kit but that is only for your convenience, should you decide to send a second sample. Two ounces of fuel can be shipped in a kit – in overpacks. Shipping a fuel or an oil in the black overpack, alone, is extremely dangerous and is not allowed by law.

Report fraud and vehicle theft to your local law enforcement, as well as the National Insurance Crime Bureau at 1-800-TEL-NICB (1-800-835-6422).

Your call to NICB can be anonymous and you may be eligible for a reward.