Stats & ThoughtsStats & Thoughts

3-6% of all structural fires in the U.S. 3-6% of all structural fires in the U.S. are intentionally set or suspiciousare intentionally set or suspicious

20% of arson fires result in arrest20% of arson fires result in arrest 46% of arson perps are juveniles46% of arson perps are juveniles

Difficult to investigate and Difficult to investigate and obtain evidenceobtain evidence

Fire may consume all traces of its incendiary Fire may consume all traces of its incendiary originorigin

Scene is usually hosed down with hard streams of Scene is usually hosed down with hard streams of water and contents moved outsidewater and contents moved outside

Falling debris and/or building collapse may cover Falling debris and/or building collapse may cover or destroy evidenceor destroy evidence

Perp can use a timing device and establish an Perp can use a timing device and establish an alibi elsewherealibi elsewhere

Arson: ElementsArson: Elements Burning dwelling house (20 year felony)Burning dwelling house (20 year felony)

1.1. Willfully or maliciouslyWillfully or maliciously

2.2. BurnBurn

3.3. Occupied or unoccupied, orOccupied or unoccupied, or– The contents thereof, whether owned by The contents thereof, whether owned by

oneself or another, oroneself or another, or– Any building within the curtilage of such Any building within the curtilage of such

dwelling, ordwelling, or– The contents thereofThe contents thereof

Related Arson StatutesRelated Arson Statutes Burning Real PropertyBurning Real Property (10 year felony)(10 year felony)

Burning Personal Property (varies depending on value and Burning Personal Property (varies depending on value and if multiple burnings in 12 month period)if multiple burnings in 12 month period)

Burning of insured PropertyBurning of insured Property (10 yr felony)(10 yr felony)

Preparation to BurnPreparation to Burn– <$200<$200 93 day Misd93 day Misd– 200 – 1,000200 – 1,000 1 year Misd1 year Misd– 1,000 – 20,000 1,000 – 20,000 5 year felony 5 year felony– > 20,000> 20,000 10-year felony10-year felony

COMMON MOTIVATIONS COMMON MOTIVATIONS FOR ARSONFOR ARSON

Arson-for-profitArson-for-profit Revenge, spite, jealousyRevenge, spite, jealousy Vandalism/malicious mischiefVandalism/malicious mischief Racial/religious hostilityRacial/religious hostility Crime concealment/diversionary tacticsCrime concealment/diversionary tactics Psychiatric afflictionsPsychiatric afflictions

– pyromaniac pyromaniac – schizophrenic fire setterschizophrenic fire setter– Vanity, hero fire Vanity, hero fire

PRELIMINARY PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION INVESTIGATION

One effective way to determine fire causes is to One effective way to determine fire causes is to determine the point of origindetermine the point of origin

The investigator should check for the level of The investigator should check for the level of origin by examining:origin by examining:– the bottoms of shelves, ledges, moldingsthe bottoms of shelves, ledges, moldings– furniture and all sides of the legs, arms, and furniture and all sides of the legs, arms, and

framework of reconstructed furniture framework of reconstructed furniture The floor and lower areas of the room produce The floor and lower areas of the room produce

the most clues to the cause for the fire, because the most clues to the cause for the fire, because they are living areathey are living area

WHERE AND HOW DID THE WHERE AND HOW DID THE FIRE START? FIRE START?

Two Factors Needed to Cause Fire Two Factors Needed to Cause Fire – During the investigation, it should be borne in During the investigation, it should be borne in

mind that a fire always has two causes: a mind that a fire always has two causes: a source of heat and material ignitedsource of heat and material ignited

Accidental FiresAccidental Fires– Once the point of origin has been discovered Once the point of origin has been discovered

the next step is to determine how the fire the next step is to determine how the fire startedstarted

– Even though arson may be suspected, the Even though arson may be suspected, the investigator must first investigate and rule out investigator must first investigate and rule out all possible accidental or natural causesall possible accidental or natural causes

COMMON CAUSES FOR COMMON CAUSES FOR ACCIDENTAL OR NATURAL FIRESACCIDENTAL OR NATURAL FIRES

The electric systemThe electric system Electrical appliance and equipment Electrical appliance and equipment GasGas Heating unitsHeating units SunlightSunlight MatchesMatches SmokingSmoking

Fire TriangleFire Triangle

AirAir FuelFuel HeatHeat

– In Arson, one or more of these is usually In Arson, one or more of these is usually present in abnormal amounts for the present in abnormal amounts for the structure or location where the fire structure or location where the fire startedstarted

SPONTANEOUS HEATINGSPONTANEOUS HEATING

An increase in temperature that An increase in temperature that results from a natural process; results from a natural process; caused by chemical action, caused by chemical action, fermentation, or oxidationfermentation, or oxidation

SPONTANEOUS IGNITIONSPONTANEOUS IGNITION

The catching afire of materials The catching afire of materials subjected to spontaneous heating; subjected to spontaneous heating; usually requires several hours to usually requires several hours to several months of oxidation or several months of oxidation or fermentationfermentation

BURN INDICATORS BURN INDICATORS

Burn indicators are the effects of Burn indicators are the effects of heat or partial burning that indicate a heat or partial burning that indicate a fire’s rate of development, points of fire’s rate of development, points of origin, temperature, duration, and origin, temperature, duration, and time of occurrence and the presence time of occurrence and the presence of flammable liquids. Interpretation of flammable liquids. Interpretation of burn indicators is the principle of burn indicators is the principle means for determining the cause of a means for determining the cause of a fire, especially arsonfire, especially arson

EXAMPLES OF BURN EXAMPLES OF BURN INDICATORSINDICATORS

Alligatoring (blisters = intense heat)Alligatoring (blisters = intense heat) Depth of char = length of burnDepth of char = length of burn Breaking of glass (crazing = intense Breaking of glass (crazing = intense

heat)heat) Collapsed furniture springsCollapsed furniture springs Spalling (concrete breaks off = Spalling (concrete breaks off =

intense heatintense heat Distorted light bulbsDistorted light bulbs Temperature determinationTemperature determination

LINE OF DEMARCATION IN A LINE OF DEMARCATION IN A WOOD SECTIONWOOD SECTION

Depth of charDepth of char– is used for is used for

evaluating fire evaluating fire spreadspread

– is used to is used to estimate the estimate the duration of a fireduration of a fire

– the rate of the rate of charring of wood charring of wood varies widelyvaries widely

(Source: Factory Mutual Engineering Corporation, Norwood, Massachusetts. Reprinted with permission.)

Point of OriginPoint of Origin

Established by finding the area with Established by finding the area with the deepest char, alligatoring and the deepest char, alligatoring and usually the greatest destruction. usually the greatest destruction. More than one point of origin More than one point of origin indicates arson.indicates arson.

IGNITION DEVICES IGNITION DEVICES

Matches. Juvenile arsonists and Matches. Juvenile arsonists and pyromaniacs seem to favor striking pyromaniacs seem to favor striking matchesmatches

Gasoline. Gasoline and other Gasoline. Gasoline and other accelerants are very popular with accelerants are very popular with many different types of arsonistsmany different types of arsonists

Chemicals. Various chemical Chemicals. Various chemical combustions have been used to set combustions have been used to set firesfires

IGNITION DEVICES (cont'd)IGNITION DEVICES (cont'd)

Gas. The combination of gas and the pilot Gas. The combination of gas and the pilot light on the kitchen stoves of many light on the kitchen stoves of many residences is always a possibilityresidences is always a possibility

Electrical Systems. Any wiring system, Electrical Systems. Any wiring system, including doorbell and telephone circuits, including doorbell and telephone circuits, can be used as a fire-setting toolcan be used as a fire-setting tool

Mechanical Devices. Alarm clocks were Mechanical Devices. Alarm clocks were once a favored weapon of arsonistsonce a favored weapon of arsonists

ARSON DEVICEARSON DEVICE The items used in this arson igniting device The items used in this arson igniting device

included:included:– an electrical timeran electrical timer– an appliance cordan appliance cord– matchesmatches– shredded papershredded paper

PLANTPLANT

In arson, the material placed around In arson, the material placed around the ignition device to feed the flamethe ignition device to feed the flame

ACCELERANTSACCELERANTS

In fire starting, any flammable fluid In fire starting, any flammable fluid or compound that speeds the or compound that speeds the progress of a fire. Also called a progress of a fire. Also called a booster.booster.

SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN ARSON INVESTIGATION ARSON INVESTIGATION

Detection of Fire Accelerants. Several types of Detection of Fire Accelerants. Several types of portable equipment are available to the arson portable equipment are available to the arson investigator for detecting residues of flammable investigator for detecting residues of flammable liquids at fire scenes.liquids at fire scenes.– Olfactory Detection. The sensitivity of the Olfactory Detection. The sensitivity of the

human nose to gasoline vapor is about 1 part human nose to gasoline vapor is about 1 part per 10 million.per 10 million.

– Chemical Color Test Detectors. Chemical color Chemical Color Test Detectors. Chemical color tests may be used to detect both liquid tests may be used to detect both liquid accelerant residues and their vapors.accelerant residues and their vapors.

SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN ARSON SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN ARSON INVESTIGATION (cont'd) INVESTIGATION (cont'd)

Catalytic Combustion Detectors. The most Catalytic Combustion Detectors. The most common flammable vapor detector operates on common flammable vapor detector operates on the catalytic combustion principle.the catalytic combustion principle.

Flame Ionization Detector. In the flame ionization Flame Ionization Detector. In the flame ionization detector the sample gas is mixed with hydrogen detector the sample gas is mixed with hydrogen and the mixture is burned.and the mixture is burned.

Gas Liquid Chromatograph. The portable gas Gas Liquid Chromatograph. The portable gas liquid chromatograph (GLC) is one of the most liquid chromatograph (GLC) is one of the most common detectors in arson investigations.common detectors in arson investigations.

SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN ARSON SCIENTIFIC METHODS IN ARSON INVESTIGATION (cont'd) INVESTIGATION (cont'd)

Infrared Spectrophotomer. Infrared Infrared Spectrophotomer. Infrared spectrophotometers can achieve high spectrophotometers can achieve high specificity to flammable liquids and specificity to flammable liquids and high sensitivity.high sensitivity.

Ultraviolet Fluorescence. This Ultraviolet Fluorescence. This procedure consists of illuminating the procedure consists of illuminating the darkened fire scene with an ultraviolet darkened fire scene with an ultraviolet lamp. lamp.

ACCELERANT DETECTING CANINEACCELERANT DETECTING CANINE Many arsonists stay close to the fire sceneMany arsonists stay close to the fire scene Police dogs may be brought to the scenePolice dogs may be brought to the scene Sometimes these dogs will detect accelerants on Sometimes these dogs will detect accelerants on

a person at the scenea person at the scene

Summary of Arson Summary of Arson IndicatorsIndicators

More than one point of originMore than one point of origin Deviate from normal burning patternsDeviate from normal burning patterns Show evidence of trailersShow evidence of trailers Show evidence of been acceleratedShow evidence of been accelerated Produce odors or smoke of a colar associated Produce odors or smoke of a colar associated

with substances not usually present at the with substances not usually present at the scenescene

Abnormal amount of air, fuel or heatAbnormal amount of air, fuel or heat Evidence of incendiary igniters at point of Evidence of incendiary igniters at point of

originorigin

INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INVESTIGATIONINVESTIGATION

Possible WitnessesPossible Witnesses – Prospective witnessesProspective witnesses include tenants, include tenants,

businesspeople and customers from the burnt businesspeople and customers from the burnt building and surrounding buildingsbuilding and surrounding buildings

– Passers-by,Passers-by, including bus drivers, taxi drivers, including bus drivers, taxi drivers, delivery people, garbage collectors, police delivery people, garbage collectors, police patrols, and people waiting for busses and patrols, and people waiting for busses and taxistaxis

– Questions to AskQuestions to Ask. Did you observe the fire? At . Did you observe the fire? At what time did you first observe the fire? are what time did you first observe the fire? are examples of questions asked in an interviewexamples of questions asked in an interview

INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INVESTIGATION (cont'd)INVESTIGATION (cont'd)

Firefighters Firefighters at the Scene. Firefighters can be an at the Scene. Firefighters can be an invaluable source of information to arson invaluable source of information to arson investigators because of their technical investigators because of their technical knowledge and because of what they observe at knowledge and because of what they observe at a fire.a fire.– Questions to Ask. What time was the alarm Questions to Ask. What time was the alarm

receive? What time did you arrive at the scene receive? What time did you arrive at the scene of the fire? are examples of questions to ask of the fire? are examples of questions to ask firefightersfirefighters

INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INVESTIGATION -INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INVESTIGATION -cont'dcont'd

Insurance PersonnelInsurance Personnel. Three people may be . Three people may be interviewed to determine if the profit centers interviewed to determine if the profit centers around an insurance claim: the insurance agent around an insurance claim: the insurance agent or broker, the insurance adjuster, and the or broker, the insurance adjuster, and the insurance investigator.insurance investigator.– Question to Ask the Agent or Broker. Who is Question to Ask the Agent or Broker. Who is

the insured? Is there more than one person the insured? Is there more than one person insured? Is the insured the beneficiary? insured? Is the insured the beneficiary?

– Question to Ask the Insurance Claims Adjuster. Question to Ask the Insurance Claims Adjuster. Did you take a sworn statement from the Did you take a sworn statement from the insured? Did the insured submit documents insured? Did the insured submit documents regarding proof of loss, value of contents, bills regarding proof of loss, value of contents, bills of lading, value of building, and the like.of lading, value of building, and the like.

– Question to Ask the Insurance Investigator. Question to Ask the Insurance Investigator. Were you able to determine the cause of the Were you able to determine the cause of the fire? did you collect any evidence?fire? did you collect any evidence?

INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INVESTIGATION (cont'd)INVESTIGATION (cont'd)

Other Witnesses Concerning Finances of the Other Witnesses Concerning Finances of the InsuredInsured. A number of other people may have . A number of other people may have information on the information on the finances of the ownerfinances of the owner, including , including business associates, creditors, and competitors.business associates, creditors, and competitors.– Question to Ask. How long have you known the Question to Ask. How long have you known the

owner/insured? What is the nature of your owner/insured? What is the nature of your relationship with the owner/insured?relationship with the owner/insured?

News Media PersonnelNews Media Personnel – Individuals affiliated with these groups may have Individuals affiliated with these groups may have

noticed something of value to the investigator or noticed something of value to the investigator or perhaps have films of the fire and fire scene.perhaps have films of the fire and fire scene.

INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INVESTIGATION (cont'd)INTERVIEWS IN AN ARSON INVESTIGATION (cont'd)

The Medical ExaminerThe Medical Examiner. The autopsy should . The autopsy should reveal whether any victim found dead in the fire reveal whether any victim found dead in the fire was dead or alive before the fire started and what was dead or alive before the fire started and what the cause of death was.the cause of death was.

Interviewing a Suspect. The questions below are Interviewing a Suspect. The questions below are based on the assumption that the person to be based on the assumption that the person to be interviewed is involved in arson for profit.interviewed is involved in arson for profit.– Questions to Ask the Suspect. Are you willing to Questions to Ask the Suspect. Are you willing to

cooperate in this investigation? How many other cooperate in this investigation? How many other people are involved in the arson-for-profit people are involved in the arson-for-profit schemescheme??

– Questions to Ask the Torch, Specifically. What Questions to Ask the Torch, Specifically. What method was used to accomplish the arsonmethod was used to accomplish the arson? ?

THE ARSON SUSPECTTHE ARSON SUSPECT In some arson investigations, a single prime In some arson investigations, a single prime

suspect may emerge and investigative efforts will suspect may emerge and investigative efforts will be focused accordinglybe focused accordingly– In most cases, a number of suspects emerge, In most cases, a number of suspects emerge,

and merely establishing that one or more of and merely establishing that one or more of them had a motive to set the fire is not proof them had a motive to set the fire is not proof enough for an arrest and convictionenough for an arrest and conviction

In probing an arson fire, seldom does direct In probing an arson fire, seldom does direct evidence link a suspect with a fireevidence link a suspect with a fire– The investigation often must concentrate on The investigation often must concentrate on

gathering circumstantial evidence and gathering circumstantial evidence and provable factsprovable facts

MECHANICAL EXPLOSIONMECHANICAL EXPLOSION

Explosions in which the high-pressure Explosions in which the high-pressure gas is produced by purely physical gas is produced by purely physical reactions; commonly caused by reactions; commonly caused by steam (e.g., the bursting of a steam steam (e.g., the bursting of a steam boiler)boiler)

DAMAGE FROM A METAL PIPE BOMBDAMAGE FROM A METAL PIPE BOMB In searching this type of crime scene In searching this type of crime scene

investigators:investigators:– Try to locate the debris furthest from the Try to locate the debris furthest from the

object bombedobject bombed– An outer perimeter is then established for the An outer perimeter is then established for the

scenescene– The crime scene search starts at the outer The crime scene search starts at the outer

perimeter and moves inwardperimeter and moves inward

BOMB THREATS BOMB THREATS

Responding to ThreatsResponding to Threats– Telephone Call. The caller should be kept Telephone Call. The caller should be kept

on the line as long as possible.on the line as long as possible.– Evacuation. The decision to evacuate the Evacuation. The decision to evacuate the

premises should be made by the premises should be made by the responsible party at the scene.responsible party at the scene.

– Industrial Plants, Shopping Centers, and Industrial Plants, Shopping Centers, and the Like. The assigned officer should the Like. The assigned officer should contact the manager of the scene and contact the manager of the scene and advise them of their responsibilities. advise them of their responsibilities.

BOMB THREATS (cont'd)BOMB THREATS (cont'd)– Private Homes and Small Businesses. If there Private Homes and Small Businesses. If there

are no responsible persons present to do a are no responsible persons present to do a search, officers should conduct the search search, officers should conduct the search themselves.themselves.

– Police and Public Safety Buildings. The Police and Public Safety Buildings. The employee receiving the threat should refer the employee receiving the threat should refer the threats to a sworn officer and the chief of threats to a sworn officer and the chief of police should be notifiedpolice should be notified..

Searching for Concealed Explosives. To help Searching for Concealed Explosives. To help detect anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, detect anything suspicious or out of the ordinary, search procedures should include interviews with search procedures should include interviews with persons familiar with the buildings or structures persons familiar with the buildings or structures to be searched.to be searched.

BOMB THREATS (cont'd) BOMB THREATS (cont'd)

What Not to Do. A partial list of steps that should What Not to Do. A partial list of steps that should not be taken in the event of a bomb threat not be taken in the event of a bomb threat include:include:– Do not ignore bomb threats.Do not ignore bomb threats.– Do not touch suspected explosives/bombs.Do not touch suspected explosives/bombs.

Potential Concealment Areas for Bombs. Areas of Potential Concealment Areas for Bombs. Areas of concealment for a bomb could include: elevator concealment for a bomb could include: elevator wells and shafts, including nooks, closets, storage wells and shafts, including nooks, closets, storage rooms, false panels, walk areas, counterweights, rooms, false panels, walk areas, counterweights, motors, cables, and trash in shaft.motors, cables, and trash in shaft.