INTRO TO FIRE AND ARSON INVESTIGATION

I.

LAW AND JURESPRUDENCE

The law on arson in the Philippines is covered by Articles 320 to 326 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by PD No. 1613, PD No. 1744, and Sec. 50 Rule VIII IRR of RA 6975 which provides that the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and, if necessary, file the proper complaint with the City/Provincial prosecutor who has jurisdiction over arson cases.

A. Elements of Arson
1. 2. 3.

Actual burning took place Actual burning is done with malicious intent. The actual burning is done by person(s) legally and criminally liable.

B. The Law of Arson

1. Article 320 326 of the Revised Penal Code Defines Arson its forms and penalties. 2. PD 1613 Amending the Law on Arson. Defining the Prima Facie Evidence of Arson. 3. PD 1744 Amending Article 320 of RPC. Imposing death penalty to arsonist. *But after the EDSA Revolution 1, death penalty was abolished by then President Corazon C. Aquino.

4. RA 7659 An act to impose death penalty on certain heinous crimes, amending for that purpose the Revised Penal Code. As amended, other special laws, and for other purposes. 5. RA 6975 Sec. 54 Which provides that the Fire Bureau shall have the power to investigate all causes of fires and if necessary file the proper complaint with the City/Provincial Prosecutor who has jurisdiction over the case.

C. Prima Facie Evidence of Arson

If the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or establishment. If substantial amount of flammable substances or materials are stored within the building not necessary in the business of the offender nor for household use.

If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or combustible substances or materials soaked therewith or containers, thereof, or any mechanical electrical, chemical or electronic contrivance designed to start a fire, or ashes or traces of any foregoing are found in the ruins or premises of the burned building or property.

If the building or property is insured for substantially more than its actual value at the time of the issuance of policy.
If during the lifetime of the corresponding fire insurance policy more than two fire have occurred in the same or other premises owned or under the control of the offender and/or insured.

If shortly before the fire a substantial of the effects and stored in building or property had been withdrawn from the premises except in the ordinary course of business.

If a demand for money or other valuable consideration was made before the fire in exchange for the distance of the offender or for the safety of the person or property of the victim.

II.

Definitions

INVESTIGATE To seek information about by searching into or examining. INVESTIGATION - An examination for the purpose of discovering information about something. INVESTIGATION - Discussion, examination, exploration, inquiry, interrogation, pursuit, query, question, research, review, search, scrutiny.

III.

Fire and Arson Investigation Procedures

1.) General. - Arson, the malicious burning of property, is one of the most difficult offense to investigate. The arsonist attempts to successfully set a fire and to escape undetected. This is most often accomplished by using an ignition-delaying device that allows the arsonist to leave the scene before the fire started. The fire can consume the scene and destroy much physical evidence of the offense. Harder forms of evidence are often buried in debris and glossy altered in appearance.

a.) Almost invariably, it is circumstantial evidence that supports the investigators conclusions. This circumstantial evidence must be strong enough to establish strong connection between the suspect and the fire.

This Characteristic of arson, and the physical appearance of the scene, is the same; whether of criminal or accidental origin, makes proof a very complex investigative task. Although the circumstances may be definitely suspicious, accidental fires are common and the investigator must eliminate every possibility of natural or accidental causes before he can build a hypothesis of arson.

b.) These are some of the basic difficulties in detecting and investigating arson. The problem of serious fire, when the scene is a smoldering ruin, may seem impossible; however, an investigator applying the scientific and practical techniques of arson investigation can determine the origin and cause of the fire and recover vital physical evidence from the fire scene.

2. Motives
a.) Insurance Fraud. This offense normally involves burning of ones own property to wrongfully collect (defraud) insurance money for the loss, by fire, of the insured property. b.) Grudge and Spite Fires. An individual seeking to revenge a wrong, either real or fancied, may attempt to injure or to cause hardship to the person who caused the wrong. Because a fire may inflict both physical and financial injury, it may be used as a medium for revenge.

c.) Fires to Cause Public Disturbances. An offender may resort to arson as a means of causing a public disturbance. A fire attracts people, is destructive, causes confusion, and gives rise to attendant problems that divert police attention. d.) Sabotage Fires. Arson is one of the saboteurs most effective weapons.

e.) Fires to Conceal Other Crimes. A criminal may attempt to cover another crime with a fire; he may reason that the burning will appear accidentally and will destroy the evidence of the original crime. A murderer may burn both the scene and the victim in the hope that the corpse will be destroyed or the cause of death obliterated. A burglar may use fire to cover burglary.

f.) Fires by Pyromaniacs. Because the pyromaniacs commits the crime of arson to satisfy an overpowering impulse, he usually does not seek any insurance indemnity or other material gain. g.) Fires by Vandals. Vandalism, as used in the discussion, is a general term denoting intentional burning to destroy property.

3. Fire Tetrahedron

Fire Behavior

Fire has been both a help and a hindrance to mankind throughout history. Fire has heated our homes, cooked our food, and helped us to become technologically advanced. Fire, in its hostile mode, has also endangered us for as long as we have used it.

FIRE
Is a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of varying intensity.

Is a chemical reaction. It is the rapid oxidation of a fuel producing heat and light.

It is an oxidation taking place with a rate rapid enough to produce heat and light.

Triangle of Fire
For many years, the fire triangle (oxygen, fuel and heat) was used to teach the components of fire. While this simple example is useful, it is NOT technically correct.

OXYGEN

HEAT

FUEL

Fire Tetrahedron
For combustion to occur, four components are necessary: Oxygen (oxidizing agent) Fuel Heat Self-sustained chemical reaction

Fire Tetrahedron
Each component of the tetrahedron must be in place for combustion to occur. Remove one of the four components and combustion will not occur. If ignition has already occurred, the fire is extinguished when one of the components is removed from the reaction.

OXYGEN (Oxidizing Agent)

are those materials that yield oxygen or other oxidizing gases during the course of a chemical reaction. Oxidizers are not themselves combustible, but they support combustion when combined with a fuel.

Oxidizing

agents

FUEL
Fuel is the material or substance
burned in the

being oxidized or combustion process.

HEAT
the fire tetrahedron. When heat comes into contact with a fuel, the energy supports the combustion reaction.

Heat is the energy component of

SELF-SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION

Combustion is a complex reaction that requires a fuel (in the gaseous or vapor state), an oxidizer, and a heat energy to come together in a very specific way. Once flaming combustion or fire occurs, it can only continue when enough heat energy is produced to cause the continued development of fuel vapors or gases. Scientists call this type of reaction a chain reaction. A chain reaction is a series of reactions that occur in sequence with the result of each individual reaction being added to the rest.

Fire Development
When the four components of the fire tetrahedron come together, ignition occurs. For a fire to grow beyond the first material ignited, heat must be transmitted beyond the first material to additional fuel packages.

Stages of Fire
Ignition Growth Flashover Fully

developed Decay

STAGES OF FIRE DEVELOPMENT

TEMPERATURE RISE

FLASH-OVER POST FLASH-OVER GROWTH

IGNITION

FULLY DEVELOPED FIRE

DECAY

TIME

IGNITION
Ignition describes the period when the four elements of the fire tetrahedron come together and combustion begins

GROWTH
Shortly after ignition, a fire plume begins to form above the burning fuel. As the plume develops, it begins to draw or entrain air from the surrounding space into the column.

FLASHOVER
and the fully developed fire stages and is not a specific event such as ignition. During flashover, conditions in the compartment change very rapidly as the fire changes from one that is dominated by the burning of the materials first ignited to one that involves all of the exposed combustible surfaces within the compartment.

Flashover is the transition between the growth

FULLY DEVELOPED
The fully developed fire stage occurs when all combustible materials in the compartment are involved in the fire.

DECAY
As the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment, the rate of heat released begins to decline.

MODES OF HEAT TRANSFER

Heat is by-product of combustion that is of significant importance to the firefighter. It is heat that causes fire to sustain its combustion and, more important, to extend. When heat given off as a product of combustion is exposed to an unheated substance, certain changes occur that can make the new substance a contributing factor in extending a fire.

CONDUCTION
When a hot object transfers its heat, conduction has taken place. The transfer could be to another object or to another portion of the same object. As we have discovered and will be constantly reinforced about, combustion occurs on the molecular level. When an object heats up, the atoms become agitated and begin to collide with one another. A chain reaction of molecules and atoms, like a wave energy, occurs and causes the agitated molecules to pass the heat energy to areas of non-heat.

CONVECTION
Air that is hotter than its surroundings rises. Air that is cooler than its surroundings sinks. Air is made up of many molecules floating about freely. Even so, it still has weight. Some molecules are made up of the same element. For example, oxygen in its natural state will combine with another oxygen atom to form a stable oxygen molecule. In a given volume, air at a given temperature will have the same density.

When heated, as in conduction theory, the molecules become agitated and begin to collide with one another. In the process, the molecules are demanding more space to accommodate the vibrations and they push into one another as they seek that space. When that happens, the density of a given volume is reduced and it weighs less. Because it weighs less, it rises until it reaches equilibrium-the level at which the weight is the same as the surrounding atmosphere.

RADIATION
The last form of heat transfer occurs by radiation. As we have already seen, heat energy can be transmitted directly when molecules collide with one another and cause the waves of heat energy to travel.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Flameover / Rollover
The terms flameover and rollover describe a condition where flames move through or across the unburned gases during a fires progression. Flameover is distinguished from flashover by its involvement of only the fire gases and not the surfaces of other fuel packages within a compartment. This condition may occur during the growth stage as the hot-gas layer forms at the ceiling of the compartment.

Thermal Layering of Gases

The thermal layering of gases is the tendency of gases to form into layers according to temperature. Other terms sometimes used to describe this tendency are heat stratification and thermal balance. The hot gases tend to be in the top layer, while the cooler gases form the lower layers.

Backdraft
Firefighters operating at fires in the building must use care when opening a building to gain entry or to provide horizontal ventilation (opening doors or windows). As the fire grows in a compartment, large volumes of hot, unburned fire gases can collect in unventilated spaces. These gases may be at or above their ignition temperature but have insufficient oxygen available to actually ignite. Any action during the firefighting operations that allows air to mix these hot gases can result in an explosive ignition called backdraft.

PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION

Products of Combustion
1. 2. 3. 4. Heat Light Smoke Toxic gases

FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT THEORY

Fire is extinguished by limiting or interrupting one or more of the essential elements in the combustion process (fire tetrahedron). A fire may be extinguished by: a.) Reducing its Temperature b.) Removal of available Fuel c.) Exclusion of Oxygen d.) Inhibition of Self-Sustained Chemical

Chain Reaction.

end

4. Accidental Fires

A fire may be presumed to be accidental until accidental causes are eliminated or evidence is found indicating that arson is the cause.

The following are the more common accidental causes and some background information: a.) Faulty electrical wiring, including improper voltage and low line capacity; electric motors that have become overheated because of neglect in their care, cleaning, oiling and other required maintenance and pressing, soldering, and other electric irons that have been unattended while in use.

1.) The electrical system of a building rarely causes a fire if the installation is up to date and the fuses are working. Fires causes through the electrical system may be due to overloading the circuit, faulty contacts, sparks, carelessness or intentional acts. 2.) Wall receptacles in the area where a fire started may reveal evidence of multiple plug devices which accidentally permitted overloading of the circuit.

3.) Extension cords can cause fires by increasing the length of a circuit thus increasing the resistance on the line which in turn cannot be handled by the light wire in the extension cord.

4.) It is not uncommon in electrical fires for witness to see a brilliant flash and actually hear a short circuit. The odor left in the air from the arcing of electricity is also recognizable.

5.) Fires can start in electrical appliances, equipment or tool. In most cases where an electric motor catches fire it is because of bearings not being lubricated, faulty starting mechanism or excessive dirt or lint in the motor.

b.) Spontaneous combustion is a phenomena in which a combustible material or combination of materials generate or produces heat because of internal chemical action (oxidation) and eventually ignites without any exposure to external sources of fire, spark or abnormal heat.

1.) Many substances have a tendency to spontaneous combustion when various conditions operate to create or facilitate a dangerous condition. Coal dust, flour, hay, grain, and other plant products; and porous materials such as rags, papers, etc. soaked in oils are especially susceptible to spontaneous combustion.

2.) The factors contributing to spontaneous combustion are many and varied depending on the material concerned. Generally, hot, humid weather and lack of air circulation facilitate the internal generation of heat.

3.) Spontaneous heat production originates in the deepest interior of the mass suspected of being the fire source. A simple field test for spontaneous combustion involves stripping away the exterior layers of the burned mass. If the deepest interior is not burned, spontaneous ignition has not occurred.

c.) Lighting traces are very characteristic, especially on metallic objects, which melt or show beads of melted or other deformations. d.) Faulty heating equipment is a prominent cause of accidental fires.

e.) Sparks. Sparks may originate from nearby fires, chimneys, etc. f.) Explosions. Explosions can cause or result from fires. Explosive materials are readily available to the arsonist or saboteur. Likewise, numerous explosive materials can be found in residences and military organizations that can accidentally explode as a result of fire or resulting in a fire.

g.) Action of the sun concentrated by a lens or concave mirror can ignite combustible material

h.) Animals. Animals rarely cause fires because of their natural fear of fire.

i.) Miscellaneous Causes. Besides the natural and accidental causes of fires already mentioned, there are numerous causes that can be included such as carelessness in smoking, careless handling and storage of flammables, children playing with matches, and fires resulting from the use of blow torch welding apparatus, etc.

5. Liaison and Coordination

Close liaison and coordination with appropriate firefighting, legal, and other investigative authorities, military and civilians, is essentials to arson investigation. There are many different sources of information as well as experts who may be called upon to assist in the collection and evaluation of evidence during an arson investigation.

a.) Firemen should be arson detectors. The most important liaison and coordination must be maintained with the local fire department, fire marshal or fire chief. The firemen can recognize and preserve physical evidence as well as observe and testify to unusual conditions at the scene of a fire.

b.) Other sources of information and expert assistance which may be used by the investigator.

6. Investigative Procedures
a.) Investigative Responsibilities. The Fire Marshal or Fire Chief is in charge of the fire scene. While extinguishing the fire and during subsequent inspection of the scene, fire department personnel will attempt to determine the cause of the fire. Initially, fires are presumed to have accidental or natural causes. Arson may be indicated by the fact that all possible accidental causes are eliminated or that evidence of an incendiary origin is discovered.

b.) Reporting to the Scene. The investigator should

arrive, if possible, while the fire is still burning as there are various pertinent observations that can be made at that time. Because the investigation of arson is normally complicated, it may be advisable in some cases, that a pair of investigators be assigned to such cases.

c.) Observation during the fire may be very important.

Particular attention should be given to the following aspects of the scene as valuable evidence and information may be obtained and suspects even apprehended.

1.) Weather conditions at the time of the fire should be noted. Notes should be made during the burning to include the time, temperature, humidity (warm, humid weather is conducive to spontaneous combustion) storm or lightning conditions, and wind velocity (wind may carry sparks or fan the fire).

2.) The scene of a fire is examined in much the same manner as the scene of any other crime. The investigator normally works from the outside to the inside. On the outside, he examines the area for evidence of activity at or near the scene: prints of shoes, or wheel or tire tracks that may indicate the approach of a suspect; or empty containers, match boxes, tools, or other items that may indicate that the fire was started by an arsonist.

He examines the area for anything, no matter how insignificant, which he considers may be evidence of arson. Area observations are hastily made as the investigator also attempts to observe the burning itself.

3.) The investigator examines the burning building to ascertain whether windows, doors, or other openings are open, closed or locked. Open windows, etc., create drafts and ventilation accelerating the fire. He observes the walls to note any suspicious condition, such as a breakthrough that might have been caused by an explosion; a burned out section where the fire might have originated; or holes in walls or floors cut by the arsonist to ventilate the fire.

All normal entrances should be checked for signs of forced entry; windows being covered from the inside to conceal the fire ; tied or chained fire doors, and windows rendered inoperative or blocked with furniture and other large heavy items so arranged to hamper access to the fire.

4.) The investigator notes the location, size and extent of the fire, and whether it is concentrated in one portion of the building. When there is more than one burnings and their relation to each other noted. Simultaneous burnings may be indicative of arson. On the other hand, there may have been only one original fire; the other fires may have been caused by flying sparks.

 The

size of the fire and manner of burning may indicate the use of accelerants or high combustible materials to aid in the fire spread; however, the fuel is no more important than the rate of heat release. Heat release rates depends on the amount of air available. Heat builds up rapidly after the fire is ignited, the rate of build-up being dependent on the amount of air available to the fuel, e.g. an empty chapel will normally burn more rapidly in violation or contradiction to the direction of the wind, this may indicate the use of an accelerant or trailer.

A trailer is a trail of flammable liquid or other highly flammable substances leading the fire from the source of ignition to one or more rooms or areas and even up or downstairs to other levels or floors in the building. The intensity of the fire may also indicate the location of the most severe burning, which may be indicative of the point of fire origin.

5.) Flying sparks are given particular attention. An arsonist who has set a fire while another fire is burning in the vicinity may state that it was caused by flying sparks from the first fire. It must be borne in mind that flying sparks can start a new fire only when they have sufficient ignition heat and strike combustible material.

The direction of the wind is of importance; openings in a building where a subsequent burning occurs usually face the direction of the wind. The time element may be of importance in determining whether a fire is of incendiary origin or is caused by another fire.

6.) The investigator should note the color and location of flames. The color of the flames may be indicative of the intensity of the fire and may aid the investigator in determining what materials are burning. Flame color ranges through various shades of red 900 degrees F 1650 degrees F; Orange, 1725 degrees F; Yellow, 1825 degrees F; White 2206 degrees F; and Blue White 2550 degrees F.

Characteristics of steam and smoke, particularly at the start of a burning, may assist the investigator in determining what substances are burning and, possibly, which substance started or accelerated the fire. Violent blow-backs when a stream of water hits the fire may indicate that kerosene, gasoline or other accelerant is burning. Likewise, when a stream of water hits the fire may indicate that kerosene, gasoline or other accelerant is burning.

Likewise, when a stream of water appears to only contain the fire and not quench it, it is indicative of petroleum-base accelerant. Heavy white clouds of smoke may indicate the burning of phosphorous. Black smoke may indicate the burning of petroleumbase accelerants. Yellow smoke may indicate the burning sulphur or gun powder. However, flame and smoke colors are indicators only of what to look for after the fire is extinguish.

They are very unreliable without collaboration, i.e. white smoke may indicate only burning of damp substances and black smoke the incomplete burning of many substances. Ultimately evaluations of smoke and flame colors, if pertinent, are made by a fire expert, as collaborated by the melting and fusing temperatures of glass, plastics and metals, and other traces of evidence found at the scene.

7.) Odors emitted by a burning fire are of value to the investigator in identifying the substances being consumed. Gunpowder has a characteristic odor. Gasoline, rubber, alcohol, natural gas, linseed oil, turpentine, paint thinners, and lacquers all have distinguishable odors.

The investigator and firemen should familiarize themselves with the odors of various flammable compounds and chemicals in order that they may be able to identify them when necessary.

8.) Inoperative fire hydrants, sprinkler systems and fire alarms may bear indications of an arsonists attempts to hinder firefighting efforts.

9.) The investigator circulates through the crowd. He watches the faces and actions of spectators and takes note of any person who seems to be deriving personal satisfaction from the fire. The pyromaniac likes flame and excitement; the best place to look for him is the scene of his own fire. If the fire occurs late at night or early in the morning, the incendiary may be conspicuous by being the only fully clothed person in the crowd.

10.) The investigator takes photographs and make sketches during the burning, as he also does after the fire is extinguished and during the search for evidence and the removal or sifting of the debris. Photographs are also taken on the spectators.

d.)

Investigation of the Scene after the burning will always follow the BFPs SOPs (Latest is SOP number 2002-01).
1.) Proper reporting and jurisdiction will be determined in accordance to the aforesaid standard operating procedures.

2.) Investigators will normally identify evidence of the accidental/natural cause or develop suspicious evidence of arson, as appropriate.

3.) An early consideration, in continuing investigation, is security of the fire scene. Examination of the scene may be complicated time-consuming task and access to the scene must be closely controlled until it has been examined thoroughly.

4.) Agreements will be made with the Fire Chief and the Engineers in the case of an arson investigation, that clean-up operations will be coordinated with the arson investigator and delayed as necessary until the investigator has completed examination of the scene and released it.

5.) When the security of the scene has been established and before anything is touched or moved the investigator observes and notes all that is material to his case, supplementing his notes with scaled sketches and photographs. Witness should be interviewed without delay. Firemen should be informally interviewed before they leave the scene if possible.

In many case, an effort to mentally reconstruct the burned structure and its contents is necessary to determine the changes that have taken place as a result of the fire and the activities of the fire fighters. To this end, occupants, utility and maintenance personnel, firemen and other witnesses may be interviewed. Always, for best interview results, interview witnesses at the fire scene, even if days have elapsed since the fire.

6.) When physically examining the scene, the investigator normally proceeds from the outside in, first examining and observing the general area and setting. The investigator exercises great care in examining and collecting articles found near the fire that may bear fingerprints such as bottles, candles or tools. Footprints, the tracks, toolmarks, etc. are searched for in the usual manner.

7.) Finding the point where the fire originated is naturally very important to establishing the cause of the fire. No two fires are alike. In order to understand the fire being investigated, the investigator needs to know as much as possible about the chemistry of fire and the principles of burning.

In searching for the exact point of origin, the investigator will apply his general knowledge of the nature of fires, correlating and collaborating the findings derived from his examination of physical evidence and the interviews with firemen, witnesses and other persons involved. Some techniques and factors considered in determining the point of origin are:

a.) Firemen, occupants passersby and others who arrived at the fire scene during the early stages of the fire may provide information relating to the location of the fire in its early stages.

b.) The obvious presence of trailers multiple separate fires, incendiary devices and other suspicious articles may immediately reveal the origin and cause of the fire, especially in those instances when an attempted arson has failed because the fire was rapidly extinguished or it burned out because the arsonist failed to properly ventilate it.

c.) In some fire investigation, early observations by victims or firefighters may point to a cause such as electrical short circuit or malfunction of the heating plant.

d.) Conversely, in searching a fire scene, the investigator may seek to locate one particular room or portion of a floor or wall which appears to be the likely point of origin. Concentration of search in the likely area may reveal material, equipment or other evidence of the accidental or incendiary cause of fire. This technique exemplifies the usual technique of locating the origin and then seeking the cause. There are various techniques used in locating the point of origin of the fire.

e.) The point where the fire originated may be determined by locating to the last place reached by the fire, then determining where the fire normally spread to that place from. Traces of smoke and charring help indicate the reverse route. Keep in mind the natural path of fire is upward. It travels vertically rather than horizontally until it meets an obstacle to its progress.

f.) Other factors such as heat accumulation, heat radiation and source of oxygen may cause a fire to progress in ways that conflict with the above rules. This is contributed by the special considerations that may occur in the fire development.

g.) Another technique related to tracing the normal path of the fire to its origin, involves tracing the path of the burning to its sources by observing the intensity of the destruction and charring of the uprights.

h.) Origin of the fire can also be traced through the so-called FIRE PATTERNS. h1.) One of the major objectives of a fire scene examination is the recognition, identification, and analysis of fire patterns. The analysis of fire patterns is performed in an attempt to trace fire spread, identify areas and points of origin, and identify the fuels involved.

h2.) Fire Pattern Development. The damage created by the flame, radiation, hot gases, and smoke creates patterns that investigators use to locate the area or point of fire origin.

h3.) Fire Patterns include thermal effects on materials, such as charring, oxidation, consumption of combustibles, smoke and soot deposits, distortion, melting, color changes, changes in the character of materials, structural collapse, and other effects.

h4.)There are TWO TYPES OF FIRE PATTERNS. Movement Patterns and the Intensity (Heat) Patterns.

Movement Patterns are patterns wherein flame and heat movement pattern are produced by the growth and movement of fire and the products of combustion away from an initial heat source.

In Intensity Pattern, flame and heat intensity patterns are produced by the response of materials to the effects of various intensities of heat exposure. The various heat effects on a certain material can produce lines of demarcation which will be help in determining the characteristics and quantities of fuel materials, as well as direction of fire spread.

h5.) KINDS OF FIRE PATTERNS

a.) Lines or Areas of Demarcation. These are the borders defining the differences in certain heat and smoke effects of the fire upon various materials. They appear between the affected area and adjacent unaffected or less affected areas.

b.) Surface Effect. The nature and material of the surface that contains the fire pattern will have a bearing on the shape and nature of the pattern itself.

c.) Penetration of horizontal surfaces, from above or below, can be caused by radiant heat, direct flame impingement, or localized smoldering with or without the effects of ventilation.

d.) Charring It is an exposure of elevated temperatures in which a material undergoes chemical decomposition that drives off gases, water vapor, and various pyrolysis products as smoke. Char shrinks as it forms, and develop cracks and blisters.

e.) Fusion Is the change in formation of metals, glass or plastic due to being exposed to high temperatures, sometimes it is called melting.

f.) Spalling Is the breakdown in tensile strength of concrete or brick, usually accompanied by a color change. Sometimes it causes chipping. Spalling is caused by the application of heat in the high temperature ranges (above 2000 degrees F) to concrete, brick, stone or mortar. i.e. Color changes, boiling out of residual moisture which causes small lines or stress cracks upon the surface, disrupted or chipped by the spalling effect, due to the explosion of trapped moisture.

8.)

The examination of the debris at the point of origin must be made with care. The examination is made for possible accidental causes as well as for evidence of arson. Without eye witnesses to the starting of a fire, the investigator simultaneously searches for indications of accidental origin or, in their absence, evidence of incendiary origin.

The normal investigative approach to identifying the most probable cause of the fire is to find: an ignition source of sufficient capacity; material that could have been ignited by the ignition source; and the act or omission which brought the ignition source and fuel together. Proof in an arson case requires that evidence be found of international setting of the fire or that all other possible fire causes be eliminated or the origin of the fire traced to a place where no other fire cause could account for the fire.

9.) The following are some common characteristic and indicators of arson fires: a.) Separate or Multiple Fires. Separate, non-related, simultaneous burning fire, like fires in separate compartments of an automobiles, or separate parts of a structures are good evidence of an arson fire.

b.) Incendiary Devices. An incendiary device is a manufactured or improvised device used to ignite, spread or accelerate an incendiary fire. Variations in design and functioning of incendiary devices are limited only by the imagination of the arsonist. They can highly complex devices or simple improvisation created from everyday household items found in the garage, kitchen and medicine cabinet.

An incendiary device is usually employed to cause a delayed ignition permitting the arsonist to depart the scene and establish his alibi for the time the fire started. Incendiary devices are also used to spread the fire from one area to another and thus facilitate a complete burning and rapid destruction of structure. Some common incendiary devices and techniques are described below.

1.) Trailers. One of the most common methods of spreading fires is to employ trailers. Trailers are simply trails of flammable liquid or other flammable substances leading from the sources of ignition to one or more other rooms or areas and often up or downstairs.

2.) The Candle is not only an ignition unit, but also a delay device which can be cut to a desired burning-time length.

3.) Matches are used as igniters in many simple incendiary devices. Perhaps the simplest match device involves tying a bundle of matches around a burning cigarette or inserting a burning cigarette into a book of matches and then inserting any of these devices into a set-up of flammable materials.

4.) Chemical Agents. Many Oxidizing agents employed in industry, agriculture and the home have incendiary qualities ideally suited for delay and ignition devices in arson.

These Materials have various spontaneous fireproducing characteristics: burning; when exposed to air; on contact with water; when exposed to heat; when mixed together or when activated with simple ignitors. For example, sulphuric acid can be separated in a container from a mixture of potassium chlorate and sugar by a paper partition. When the container is converted, the acid will dissolve the paper and material will ignite on mixture.

A variation of this device can be made by separating a lead pipe into two sections by means of a brass or copper disc. One section is then filled with sulphuric acid and the other section with picric acid. The pipe ends are sealed and the time delay can be controlled by the thickness of the dividing disc. Concentrated nitric acid or quicklime and water creates sufficient heat to ignite straw, hay, wood shavings or excelsior.

Potassium permanganate, a common oxidizer used in laboratories and in medicines will cause combustion when it comes into contact with glycerine. Glycerine and gasoline mixed together creates a compound similar to napalm. Brake fluid and glycerine-based liquid detergents mixed together create a solution similar to nitroglycerine. Potassium nitrate (saltpeter), the oxidizer in black powder, ignites when heated. a

Ordinary gasoline may be solidified by the addition of aluminum stearate and when shavings of sodium are pressed into the mass and the gasoline ignited, any water put on the fire reacts with the sodium to again ignite the gasoline. Sodium peroxide reacts violently when it contacts water; rapid ignition being caused by the liberation of oxygen when it is brought into contact with the moisture in the air Utilizing a chemical which ignites upon contact with water such as sodium peroxide, a saboteur might set up a device to be activated by the next rainstorm.

Holes made in the roof or some connection with the gutter system could be used to trigger the device. Likewise, diversion of a sewage line in a building could permit setting up the device at night with triggering planned for the next morning when the toilet is flushed for the first time. It is readily apparent that these combinations and conditions could be intentionally prepared and arranged and some could occur accidentally.

Most chemical ignition units leave some residue or distinctive odor, or both which can be detected in laboratory analysis.

5.) Various Accelerants are used by arsonist to raise the temperature of the burning to lead the fire from one part of the structure to another, to increase the combustibility of materials and to accelerate the place of fire.

a.) The most commonly used accelerants are gasoline, kerosene, solvents, alcohol, paint thinner, acetone, ether and lighter fluid.

b.) Although most of the accelerant is consumed in the fire, as mentioned previously, in many cases, strong indications of the use of an accelerant can be found by physical examination of the fire scene.

The various common accelerants have distinctive odors that can be easily learned and are often readily detectable at the scene, during and after the burning. Ammonia and other chemicals which have strong odors, and the presence of which would not be suspicious have been used effectively by arsonist to mask the odor of accelerants.

Soot produced by various accelerants also has distinctive appearances with may be recognized at the scene. Traces of the accelerants will often have penetrated into the floor and may be found soaked beneath the charring, in the interior of the double floor or penetrated into mortar or plaster. Other indications of inflammable liquids are spots of dissolved paint and wavelike charrings on wooden floors.

When an accelerant is put on a floor, the fire will be stronger at the edges and will gradually work its way from there to the center, often leaving the almost unburned center surrounded by the characteristic wave shaped charrings.

c.) In addition to saturating items with accelerants, the arsonist may place buckets, can, bottles and other containers at the point of origin or at other places on the premises. Rubber containers are commonly used to hold accelerants because they can be used as a delay device and are also consumed in the fire.

d.) The most common arson device in civil disturbances is the Molotov Cocktail. They are normally bottles, filled with gasoline with a cloth wick attached. The wick is lighted before the bottle is thrown and when the bottle breaks the wick ignites the splattering contents.

e.) Test samples should be taken of all debris suspected of containing traces of accelerants. Sample should be taken as soon as possible and placed in airtight containers.

6.) Gas. Although not commonly employed by arsonist, natural gas, liquefied gas and other cooking and heating gases can be used to start an arson fire. Natural gas explosions and fires often occur in gassing suicides and may be caused by accidental fires.

Gas can be very effectively used by an arsonist because it has a built-in, time-delay capability. Being lighter than air it must build up, from the ceiling down until it reaches an explosive concentration. Depending on the number of outlets arranged and how well the area has been scaled it may take hours or minutes for the lower explosive limit of gas volume to be reached.

Gas may also furnish its own source of ignition by means of the pilot light or may be used in conjunction with a candle. If the odor of gas is not detected and an explosion and fire occurs as planned, arson may be detected by opened gas jets, tool marks, damaged pipes, etc. Detection is made more difficult by the fact that no mechanical devices or foreign materials will be found on the premises.

7.) Electrical. Wiring systems, including telephone circuits, can be used as a fire-setting tool. An electrical ignition device, such as an electric heating coil in a bag of waste paper, can be activated by turning lights on, ringing a doorbell or receipt of a telephone call. Some electrical appliances are used to set fires.

Hot plates, iron and electric barbecue starters can be effectively utilized to directly ignite flammable objects placed on them. Electric light bulbs wrapped in cloth or paper can be used as a delay and ignition device in conjunction with set-ups or accelerants and other combustible materials.

8.) Mechanized Devices. Mechanical delayed-ignition devices are very reliable and have been frequently used by arsonist and saboteurs. Their design and function can range from very complex and sophisticated clockwork devices used by a saboteur to the simple mouse trap-friction devices previously mentioned.

a.) Clock or watch-delay devices can be easily rigged. By removing the minute hand, setting a small screw in the crystal to a depth that it will contact the hour hand but not the watch face, and using this screw and the main stem as the contact point to complete the electrical circuit, the watch becomes a timing delay mechanism with a 12hour span.

b.) A spring-type clothespin holding a melting ice cube, or a tin can lid being slowly raised by beans or dried fruit swelling in water are other simple mechanical devices for delaying the completion of an electrical circuit designed to turn on a heating coil which will finally ignite combustibles placed around the coil.

9.)

Electronics. The rapidly expanding science of electronics offers the arsonist some outstanding capabilities. The variety of techniques and apparatus is limited only by the skill and imagination of the arsonist and the investigator needs expert assistance in recognizing and analyzing the technical equipment and theories that might be used.

The foremost difference in electronic incendiary devices is the manner of triggering the ignition device. At the less exotic end of the scale are electro-mechanical or electronic timing devices. They may be an integral part of an existing household appliance.

They may be bulky self-contained units or tiny, hand-built electronic circuits hidden away in some inconspicious place. At the other end of the scale are the radio-controlled devices designed to operate by remote control when they receive an electronic impulse transmitted by the arsonist, then triggering an ignition device by electrical relay.

Preparations for the fire are important indicators and evidence of the arsonist malicious intent.
1.) The ventilating of walls and floors by the before the fire. 2.) arsonist

The removal of contents from the building or vehicle before the fire.

3.) Broken or damaged sprinklers, hydrants and extinguishes. 4.) Tied or chained fire doors and other impediments to firefighting activities. 5.) Damaged or disconnected fire alarms. 6.) Gas jets turned on. Door of closets, cabinets, or files left open so the fire can destroy records (open drawers and cupboards may also indicate burglary).

7.) Windows and doors covered over from the inside to conceal the fire. 8.)Entrances and aisles clogged with furniture and other large heavy items, so arranged as to interfere with the work of fireman.

Unusual burning is another indicator of arson and may be a basis in establishing the incendiary nature of a fire. A fireman or other experienced witness may express an opinion as to the unusual or unnatural way a fire burned. Eliminating all other possible fire causes other than arson or tracing the origin to a place where no other fire cause could account for the fire are also acceptable methods of establishing the incendiary origin of the fire.

Preparation for the fire are important indicators and evidence of the arsonist malicious intent.

Fire Explosion Relationships

Fire and explosion frequently occur together. Thus relationship may occur in both accidental and arson fires. An explosion in conjunction with a fire may simply be incidental to the contents of the structure and nature of the burning or may relate to the method used to start the fire or cause the damage intended.

Arson investigators are frequently confronted with the important and extremely difficult tasks of determining whether the two occurrences and whether each was essential, incidental or criminal in origin. The explosion investigation proceeds as an integral part of an using similar procedures as the fire investigation, with the determination of cause and origin of the explosion a primary investigative objective.

There are four basic types of explosions commonly associated with building disasters and fires.

A. Pressure explosions which are sudden release of energy held in restraint by a mechanical shell occurring because the pressure inside rises to exceed the withholding efforts of the shell. Such an explosion might occur in a boiler, tank, pipe retaining jacket or pressurized machine part. The release may be because of high pressure strain, deterioration, mechanical failure, etc.

B. Flammable gas explosions are sudden release of heat energy when a combustible mixture of gas and air or oxygen is ignite and results in a sudden increase of volume. The most common flammable gas explosions involved the following flammable liquids and gases. The cause of the explosion can be again accidental, incidental or intentional.

1. Gasoline gasoline vapors are heavier than air and settle to the floor. They are slow in mixing with the air and will explode, if ignited, when about three percent mixture of the gas with the air is reached.

2. Alcohol and Ether - vapors are heavier than air, mix rapidly with the air, are explosive and will burn with an intense heat and blue flame. 3. Benzine and Naptha vapors have the same explosive tendencies as gasoline.

4. Heating Gas lighter than air, mixes with air very rapidly and explodes with terrific force. The gas explosions, occurring when the entire volume of a structure is saturated with an explosive mixture of gas causes a general bursting and the investigator frequently finds the building is bulging or burst from all sides where the explosion traveled from room to room, producing a general force in all directions.

5. Heavier-than-air gas vapors such as gasoline fumes will concentrate in a basement or at the floor level, while a lighter than-air gas will rise to the roof or fill the rooms from the ceiling down. A gas vapor explosion will concentrate its damage at the center of its greatest concentration.

This may cause the lower part of a building to be blown out and the upper part of the building collapsed or dropped down straight down. However, if lighter-than-air explosion mixture is ignited before the mixture can extend throughout the building, the explosion may be concentrated in that area and resemble a heavier-than-air gas explosion.

C. Chemical explosions are sudden releases of energy by upsetting the chemical balance of unstable chemical compounds. The balance may be upset by decomposition, heat, pressure, impart or other disturbance of the chemicals capability. The result is a sudden change from solid to vapor and tremendous change in volume and resulting pressure.

Explosives may be classified according to the time they take to burn or detonate. They are classified as low explosives, such as gun powder and high explosives, such as nitroglycerine, dynamite, TNT, and plastic explosives.

D. Dust explosives are the burning of finely-divided particles of combustibles that are suspended in the air. The combustion of the suspended particles is optimum because of the ideal condition of being completely surrounded with air. Frequently, materials not normally considered combustible in dust form and the resultant rapid expansion of gases and heated air creates the explosion.

Some materials that are explosive when naturally concentrated in the air or as a result of drafts created by a fire and particles of: grain such as flour, wood, coal, plastic materials and light metals.

2. Heat explosions occur when the fire is confined inside a burning building and the expanding heated air and gases exceed the ability of the surrounding walls to withhold the pressures and the walls explode outward, similar to the pressure type explosion previously discussed.

3. Flash Fires Special Considerations, although not true explosions may be described as such by witnesses. This phenomena may occur inside a burning building when heated air increases the combustion rate to that of instantaneous combustion. Similarly, radiated heat can cause nearby structures to instantaneously burst or explode in flame.

4. Sometimes a building that has collapsed in the fire has the appearance of an explosions. A collapsed building will differ from an exploded building in that most of the structure will fall vertically by gravity. The walls may fall outward when the members tying the walls at the top fail.

5. Implosion is a physical phenomena which may occur in fires and explosions, the effects of which may be confused for separate explosion or evidence of forced entry. In implosion, the air is expanded by the heat of the burning gases and when it cools rapidly, as after an explosion, the air volume shrinks causing a negative pressure which the atmosphere rushes in to fill. In doing so, the air rushing in frequently causes additional damage, breaking windows and doors inward at some distance from the location of the explosion.

6. The investigation of the explosion proceeds in a similar fashion and in coordination with the fire investigation.

Motor Vehicle Fires

Unless the vehicle has burned extensively, it is usually possible to determine the general area where the fire originated. An accidental fire in the engine compartment can often be trace to a leaking fire system, oil soaked wires or electrical fires from short circuits. Upholstery fires normally originate from careless smoking and accounts for most fires in the passengers compartment. Short circuit under the dash rarely ignite the interior of the car.

Motors being cleansed with flammable liquids are often ignited by the sparks from cleaning brushes. Trunk tires are normally caused from carrying flammables in the trunk, the fire occurring because of vapors or collapse of air tight containers because of temperature changes. Occasional motor vehicle fire involve friction in brakes, clutch, emergency brakes and broken axles.

Often vehicle fires result from carelessness in fuelling processes and while soldering or welding gas tanks. Occasionally an auto will accidentally burn in a grass or brush fire that the owner allows to get out of control. Ignition fires can be caused by using incorrect fuse or wrapping a fuse in tinfoil to stop an overload from blowing the fuse. In investigating suspicious automobile fires, the best evidence is generally a circumstance or condition that points to a possible motive.

Such conditions could be changing tires before the fire; removing accessories and tools; removal of insurance policies, registration cards, etc. being arrears on payments; or knowledge of expensive repairs needed. In cold weather, it is very suspicious to find a burning auto with the window down. If accelerants are used to burn the interior, their residues and odor should be evident. Upholstery which is slit to facilitate burning is also evident. Frequently, an arsonist will burn his vehicle in a secluded area and report it stolen.

This often requires an accomplice and/or another vehicle to bring him back to his home or business which may provide investigative leads to the offense. In general, the scene of suspicious automobile fire is handled in the same manner as other suspected arson cases.

Motiveless Fires

Pyromaniacs and most juvenile fire-setters lack conventional, rational motives such as profit, revenge, sabotage, concealment of crimes, etc. These conventional motives produce much of the circumstantial evidence so important in many arson cases.

The lack of rational motive or goal often complicates the investigation of these firebug cases. Also juvenile thrill or mischief fires can be so similar in circumstance, pattern and methods of pyromaniac that the investigator may pursue both investigative approaches.

Burned Bodies

When a body is found in a fire scene the primer investigative interest is whether the person died in the fire or was dead before the fire. This and related determinations may be extremely difficult because of damage the fire has done to the body and the destruction of signs of violence on the scene.

Collection and Analysis of Evidence

The Investigative activities discussed in the preceding paragraphs and other functions discussed here proceed in the collection of all real, direct and circumstantial evidence required to support each element of proof.

1. An assistant investigator may examine records, such as inventories, financial statements, and bills of sale; personnel rosters of persons employed and of persons recently discharged; fire department records of previews fires; insurance records, blueprints; local police records of known incendiaries; and records of recent repairs or alternations. Warrants and court orders may be applied for and obtained, and inspections made of safe deposit-boxes and bank accounts. If necessary, apprehensions and searches of premises may be accomplished.

2. The owner of the damage property is questioned concerning his activities at the time of the fire. He is also questioned regarding prior arrests, apprehensions, convictions, previews fires, financial standing, businesses, domestic conditions, and hobbies or amusements that could have caused reverses in his financial situation.

3. All witnesses are questioned. The last person to leave the premises is questioned as to the time of his leaving, the conditions of the premises at that time, how he secured the premises, the location of the keys, and other person who possessed keys or had access to the premises. The investigator must record carefully and clearly all pertinent information obtained from witnesses.

4. When a large-scale, methodical search of the fire scene and debris is required, detailed plans and provisions for assistance must be made as required. In any fire scene search, the investigator is looking for the unusual, something out of order, some material or thing foreign to the premises, or something present but out of place or in other than a normal condition.

The investigator should attempt to mentally reconstruct the burned structure and relative location of its contents, to determine what changes exist from the normal. For instance, the presence of a gasoline can in the debris of boiler room might be readily explained or highly unusual.

5. A fire that has been extinguished with only one room or a hallway involved may present little problem in locating the point of origin and collecting evidence of cause; however, a fire in which several floors have collapsed may present a complex searching problem. The actual sifting of debris for the presence of suspicious articles and devices, such as fuses, clocks, cans, bottles, wires, accelerant residues, peculiarly colored ashes, soot, unusual formation of clinkers, impregnated materials, etc. may constitute the major portion of the fire scene search.

A portable ultraviolet light is useful in searching for evidence of some volatile inflammable substances which fluoresce under the UB light. Because there may be several points of origin, the investigator may examine debris, floors, closets, cupboards, attic spaces and other places where ignitors may have been concealed. A s the search gets closer to the suspected point of origin a fine mesh screen may be needed to carefully examine the ashes and debris.

6. Evidence obtained during the investigation of the must be accurately located and depicted in sketches and photographs properly marked and preserved.

a. Photography in fire scene searches is very important and pictures should be taken of the fire while it is actually burning, and at its height, to validate witness testimony of location of blaze, direction of wind, smoke, etc. As the search continues, pictures should be made of the point of origin, effects of the blaze, items of evidentiary value and pictures that demonstrate the lack of relationship between separate fires.

b. A detailed Crime Scene Sketch should be made of the point of origin and area sketches including all essential details surrounding the immediate area. The sketch should be made to scale with measurements and points of references definitely locating all objects of evidence and other major features of the scene. Items of evidence and other important features should be plainly marked in the sketch.

7. The laboratory may help the investigator to determine the cause of burning by identifying and evaluating evidences obtain from the scene of the fire. It can determine the composition and pertinent physical properties (such as flash point, solubility, volatility, and heat of combustion) of any flammable liquid, oil, or wax, either in a relatively pure state or in traces, that may be found by the investigator. It is able to detect in debris samples the presence of a foreign chloride, perchlorate, nitrate, sulfide, or sulfate that may have been used as an igniting agent.

a. Residue of accelerants that is to be submitted to the laboratory for examination must be placed in airtight containers, such as Mason jars and forwarded to the laboratory as soon as possible.

When distillation processing to extract suspected volatiles from fine debris is necessary, the investigator should send as generous samples as possible, thus giving the lab technician sufficient materials for analysis. When evidence that is to forwarded, a means other than the post office is used, such as courier of other means of delivery.

b. An air mail, registered letter giving the information below is sent at the same time as the evidence that is to be examined by the laboratory is forwarded.

1. The dates, place, and time of the burning. 2. A list of all evidences submitted, giving the manner or means by which the evidence is being forwarded, such as parcel post or courier. 3. A list of agents used in extinguishing the fire; i.e., carbon tetrachloride, water, carbon dioxide or other material. 4. Specific information desired of the laboratory. 5. Scaled sketches or photographs of the fire, whereon and indicated points from which the evidence was collected.

c. Evidence recovered from explosions will be forwarded to concerned agencies. Explosion evidence and unexploded bombs should be handled only by appropriate explosive experts.

RIGHT OF ENTRY

The fact that an investigator has authority to conduct an investigation does not necessarily mean that he or she has the legal right to enter the property that was involved in the fire. Rights of entry are frequently enumerated by statutes, rules, and regulations. Illegal entry upon the property could result in charges against the investigator (i.e., trespassing; breaking and entering; or obstructing, impeding, or hampering a criminal investigation).

Method of Entry

Whereas right of entry refers to the legal authority to be on a given premise, or fire scene, this section concerns itself with how the authority is obtained. There are four general methods by which entry may obtained: consent, exigent circumstance, administrative search warrant, and criminal search warrant.

a. Consent. The person in lawful control of the property can grant the investigator permission or consent to enter and remain on the property. This is a voluntary act on the part of the responsible person and can be withdrawn at anytime by that person. When consent is granted, the investigator should document it. One effective method is to have the person in lawful control sign a written waiver.

b. Exigent Circumstance. It is generally recognized that the fire department has the legal authority to enter a property to control and extinguish a hostile fire. It has also been held that the fire department has an obligation to determine the origin and cause of the fire in the interest of the public good and general welfare.

c. Administrative Search Warrant. The purpose of an administrative search warrant is generally to allow those charged with responsibility, by ordinance or statute, to investigate the origin and cause of fire and fulfill their obligation to the law.

An administrative search warrant may be obtained from a court of competent jurisdiction showing that consent has not been granted or has been denied. It is not issued upon the traditional showing of probable cause, as is the criminal search warrant, although it is still necessary to demonstrate that the search is reasonable. The search must be justified by a showing of reasonable governmental interest. If a valid public interest justifies the intrusions, then valid and reasonable probable cause has been demonstrated.

The scope of an administrative search warrant is limited to the investigation of the origin and cause of the fire. If during the search permitted by an administrative search warrant, evidence of a crime is discovered, the search should be stopped and a criminal search warrant obtained.

d. Criminal Search Warrant. The purpose of the criminal search warrant is to allow the entry of government officials or agents to search for or collect any evidence of a crime. A criminal search warrant is obtained upon the traditional showing of probable cause, in that the investigator is required to show that probable cause exist that a crime has been committed.

PART II ARSON INVESTIGATION GUIDE

THE INVESTIGATORS NOTES

The investigator, to fulfill his assignment, must keep a notebook record of his investigation and the facts determined. The investigators notebook is a record of hi activities and the information gathered in the course of an investigation. Its uses are:

1. Constant source of reference during an investigation; 2. Basis for all report; and 3. Basis for refreshing memory in court.

FIREMENS RESPONSIBILITY
I. At alarm Call: Necessary information that will be of advantage in pursuing the investigation.

1. Date and Time. 2. How transmitted, and by whom (if obtainable). 3. Delay in transmission or any unusual circumstances.

II. Response: A. Company(s) responding. B. Officers in charge. C. Observation enroute to the fire. D. Time of arrival at scene. E. Condition of hydrants, standpipes, etc.

III. At Scene: A. Observation of exterior of building and surrounding. B. Observation of spectators. C. Method of entry, Forced? Doors-windows locked-unlocked? D. Occupants, manner of dress, attitude. E. Description of fire, area(s) of involvement. F. Extinguishment, problems encountered (described), G. Observation during overhauling operations. (Overhauling operations should be done carefully so evidence is not carelessly discarded) H. Conditions found in building, i.e. absence of clothing, furnishings, important papers, etc. Observe condition of all windows and doors.

I. Determination of the cause of the fire: 1. Elimination of accidental or natural cause, i.e. wiring, heating, cigarettes, spontaneous ignition, natural gas 2. Evidence of incendiary origin (described), flammable liquids, trails, separate non-communicating fires, delayed incendiary devices, any suspicious circumstances. 3. If in doubt call for a specialist before making any announcements or releasing scene.

J. Collection, identification and preservation of evidence: 1. Photograph. 2. Tag or mark for identification; date, time, address, location found, description of item(s) taken, name of person or persons securing evidence. 3. Transmission to laboratory: a. Should be done as quickly as possible. b. Avoid contamination of evidence. c. Submit report to laboratory, describe evidence and what you expect of the lab. d. Secure receipt for evidences from laboratory.

4. Securing Scene: Firemen may control scene until arrival of investigator. a. Protect scene with manpower and firefighting equipment. b. Keep out any unauthorized persons, news media, spectators, etc.

5. Statements or remarks of spectators, owners/occupants of involved property, neighbors, etc.

K. Police and Fire cooperation. Stress need for this type of cooperation in arson investigations. This be preplanned by both services.

L. Notes: Stress necessity for taking notes on all of the above activities. Emphasize that notes should be factual, containing those things that were seen, heard, done, smelled, or any action of firemen from time of alarm to extinguishment of the fire.

THE CAUSES OF FIRE AND ELIMINATION OF NATURAL CAUSES OF FIRE I. Frequently it is possible to come up with a reasonable idea as to the cause of the fire if complete information can be secured as to exactly what was in the building, exactly where and how it was placed or arranged, its fire potentiality, and a possible source of ignition. II. Fires do not just happen. They are the result of chemical reactions and like any other action, are the result of definite causes.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
A. Examination of the fire scene 1. Examination should be through and 2. Establishing the corpus delecti and of all natural causes methodical elimination

B. Photographs 1. Exterior elevations 2. Identification of property 3. Out of building and grounds 4. Interior of building, room by room, in logical sequence. 5. Evidence, prior to removal, wide angle, and close up shots. 6. Travel of fire, char pattern.
Note: Photography may be taken with most any type camera, providing the photos indicate the scene as the investigator found it. 8 x 10 glossy, black and white prints, colored slides, movies, and poloroid prints have been acceptable in most courts.

C. Sketches: A sketch is made to assist firemen and investigators in presenting a clear picture of the involved building to the court. The sketch may be approximately or accurate, depending upon the ability of investigator. It should show clearly the rooms, halls, closets, doors, windows, and stairs. It should show utility leads into the building. In commercial or industrial buildings the sketch should locate the standpipe, audible alarm bell, elevators, or any other pertinent factor involving the investigation of the fire.

D. Laboratory: 1. Evidence must be collected , identified and preserved and then transported to the laboratory in the best possible condition. Every effort should be made to prevent contamination of materials secured as evidence. Containers for evidence may consist of the following:
Heavy weight plastic bags of various sizes. Clean glass mason jars with rubber washers and screw tops. Metal cans with pressure or plastic lids (clean). Clean glass bottle with screw caps. Assorted size cardboard or plastic boxes.

2. Evidence containing latent prints should be protected so as not to smudge or destroy the prints. One method is to place the prints between two pieces of glass.

3. A letter of instruction should be sent to the laboratory with the evidence, describing same and what the investigator hopes the laboratory technician to recover via the various lab. Processes.

4. Arson Evidence. This is usually done by demonstrating the presence of inflammable material in debris collected from the point of origin of the fire. The types of material usually found are liquids such as alcohol, ether, turpentine and, most often, petroleum products. The more absorbent the material is, the better is the chance of recovering something from it and the less material is required.

E. Preliminary interview with owner/occupant (s): This interview is conducted to ascertain the names of owners, occupants, insurance data, employment, etc. Warning: Nothing should be said or implied during this interview to indicate any suspicion toward the person interviewed. Information obtained in these preliminary contacts may provide a possible clue as to accidental fire, or leads on possible suspects and motives.

F. Insurance: 1. The insurance agent or broker will provide the name of the company (s), policy number (s), terms of the insurance (expirations dates), mortgage payable clause, name of the adjuster, and whether or not the insurance was in the period of cancellation. It should be ascertained from the agent/broker, who solicited the business, who suggested the amount of coverage and whether the premium was current or delinquent.

2. The insurance adjusters can provide complete insurance information regarding the loss. He can also supply any statements taken from the assured (s). He will be able to provide a sworn proof of loss, which will include specific items claimed, damage or lost as a result of the fire. The proof of loss may provide the investigator with information indicating a attempted fraud.

Adjusters frequently have access to the books (ledgers, journals, inventories, etc.) of the business establishment involved in the fire. An audit by a qualified accountant may reflect a motive for fraud fire. Should the investigation indicate a provable fraud, the adjuster can request the interested insurance company(s) to withhold payment during the course of the investigation.

G. Neighborhood Inquiry: When conducting a neighborhood inquiry, interview persons in a wide area of the surrounding community. Interview the person who discover the fire, how he/she happened to be in the area, location of the fire when initially observed, etc. Interview the person who turned in the alarm. Obtain observations from neighbors concerning the fire, prior to, during and after the fire. Ascertain relationship of the owner/occupant (s) with neighbors. Witness may be able to provide information relative to the insureds domestic life, financial condition, anticipated sale of the property, problems with property, i.e. flooding, heating, changes of routes, etc.

Take statements from any witness (s) that has information that will be of help in establishing a criminal case. It is sometimes useful to take any statements from witnesses who appear to be hostile or who may later change their testimony. Remember you are seeking information. Do not divulge information to witnesses.

H. Public Records: 1. Court Records: deeds, mortgages, real estate chattels; liens; vital statistics; city income taxes; hospital and mental institutions. Police records; city and municipality records will also disclose any bankruptcy proceedings. Check fire department records. 2. Financial and credit information: banks, building and loan association, credit bureaus, charge accounts, public utilities, i.e. water, gas, and electric. Telephone and oil companies. Vendors: milkmen, newsmen, insurance people, etc. 3. Employment records, military records, school records, juvenile courts.

QUESTIONABLE PRINCIPAL SUSPECTS

A. Time Place Attendance 1. The interview should be held at a place designated by the investigating officer. Time should be convenient to the suspect unless conditions warrant otherwise. Care should be taken that the interview be held with no, or a minimum of interruptions, i.e. telephone, intruders, fire alarm, traffic noise, etc. The interview room should be of adequate size to accommodate the suspect and at least two interviewers/investigators. The room should be bare any adornments that would tend to distract the suspect.

2. Prior preparation will determine when the investigator should conduct the initial questioning. All background information pertaining to the suspect and the matter under investigation should be known to the investigators prior to the interview. Principal witnesses should be questioned separately, except minors, where law requires that a parent or a representative of the court should be present.

3. Statement should be recorded or taken by a stenographer. Suspect should be advised the statement is being recorded.

4. Each person present at the examination should be introduced and correct titles and affiliations given. The fewer investigators present at the interview, two is an ideal team, the more prone the suspect will be divulge information. It should be recognized that some investigators are better investigators than others.

B. Statements 1. In many states the statement may be taken under oath with the Deputy Fire Marshall/Arson Investigator being present. The subject must be advised of his constitutional rights as set forth in recent Supreme Court decisions. It is suggested that the subject sign a form acknowledging he has been informed of these rights. NOTE: Subject must understand his rights. This applies to adults or juveniles. If subjects desires an attorney, he may have recourse to one of his own choosing or one must be provided him.

2.Recorded statements should be made on a permanent recording, so it cannot be altered, so it can be preserved and available for court if necessary. Once started, a recorder should be permitted to operate continuously. If for any reason the recorder is shut off, the subject should be made aware of this, and when the recording is resumed, reason for shutting off the recorder should be noted and the subject should be asked if he was promised, threatened, or forced to continue his statement.

3. When shorthand notes are being taken the stenographer should be introduced to the subject. Some investigators request the subject to initial all pages of the shorthand notes. 4. Statement may be narrative or question and answer type. There may be times, and this, is desirable, when the subject will write his own statement.

--End--