A simple, inexpensive carbon wire adsorption/solvent extraction (CWSE) technique that allows for sensitive and reproducible analysis of organic volatiles from arson debris is described. The technique requires a minimum of expensive equipment and is particularly suited to those laboratories without a thermal desorption unit or pyrolyzer. The technique combines static headspace sampling with solvent extraction and analysis by capillary column gas chromatography. Table, 6 figures, 12 references. (Author abstract)