First off, never attempt to save the paper from the file if it is already being burned. Chances are that the burnt section of the paper will seperate and become lost. Extinguish the filer without moving the paper and allow the paper to burn out completely.

The material must be collected with great care so that the burned papaer is not broken. If the burned material consists of a book, folded papers, or currency, no attempt should be made to separate the different layers of paper. If transportation is necessary, use a wooden or strong cardboard box in which the material is cushioned by cotton or other soft material. Another method is to place the material in an airtight plastic bag which is carefully blown up and sealed with a rubber band.

If for some reason you cannot transport the material without breaking it up, spray the material with a fixing medium such as shellac solution, a solution of celluloid in Ayml Acetone, or a 1% solution of gelatine water. use a small piece of the material to test the solution, This way the concentration of the solution can be changed if necessary before spraying the entire material. If the above solution process is used it will be impossible to use a chemical method in determining legible writing. Thus, only the photographic method can be used.

Using photography with infrared sensitive plates can, in many cases, make the writing legible, even if the material has already been chemically treated. When handling or photographing the material it should be enclosed between two pieces of glass.

Typewriting and printing can often be read in specular light. A silver nitrate solution can also be used, making it easier to read. In order to make the paper easier to handle it may be treated with a 10-20% Glycerine solution for this method. Certain chemicals can be used on the material to make the writing legible in some cases, such as a 60% Chloral Hydrate solution, a 5-10% Silber Nitrate solution, or a Potasium Perrocyanide soultion. These chemicals are inapplicable to typewriting, however.

When using the chemical solutions, use a large flat-bottomed dish and place a piece of glass at the bottom of the dish. The burnt paper is then laid in the solution and allowed to sink down to the glass. Then gently remove the solution and place another piece of glass over the burnt paper. This flattens the paper and allows it to be examined more carefully.