The Burning Question: Is it Arson?
How can we make fire? Heat + Fuel + Oxygen
How can we make fire? Oxidation: combination of oxygen with other substances to produce new substances Combustion: oxidation reaction with the rapid combination of oxygen with another substance accompanied by the production of heat and light
How can we make fire? Flash Point: Lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off sufficient vapor to form a mixture with air that will support combustion (gasoline - 50 o F)
How can we make fire? Ignition Temperature: The high temperature that is required to “jump start” the reaction between oxygen and a reactant (gasoline 495 o f)
Was it arson? Fires can be caused: Naturally Accidentally Intentionally
Was it arson? Suspect arson if you find: Accelerants Paper, black powder, kindling wood, gasoline, kerosene, alcohols, paint thinners, natural gas, propane, lighter fluid Incendiary Devices Timing devices, initiators, candles, electronic timers
What is arson? Sniffer/Arson Dogs Chemical Detectors (Vapor Trace Analyzer-VTA) screens air for accelerant residues
Where did the fire start? Find the point of origin (POO) Fire spreads upward and sideways from the POO V-pattern
Where did the fire start? POO has the most damage Location of igniters and accelerants Stairwells & Drafts may pull the fire in one direction Smoke detector Doors & Floors
Where did the fire start?
How is arson evidence collected & packaged? Package ASAP in nonporous, sealed containers (clean paint cans, glass jars) Effect of water on evidence Collect samples from area of fire and from unburned areas to compare Collect suspect’s clothing
What do we do with arson evidence? Extract any possible accelerants from debris Ultra Violet (UV) Spectroscopy Gas Chromatography (GC) - Mass Spectroscopy (MS) Infrared Spectrophotometry (IR)
UV Spec
GC-MS Spec
IR Spec for Gasoline
Can we tell when the victim died? Position body was in Burning corpse assumes boxer’s position Carbon monoxide levels in blood and tissue Asphyxia (suffocation) from inhaling smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) CO Intoxication – excessive CO in the bloodstream Toxicity of CO may prevent victim from escaping even if there is enough time Bright cherry red blood Soot in the mouth, throat, lungs, and airways
Why arson? Covering their tracks Insurance fraud Psychological reasons Revenge Suicide or murder Terrorism
Arson Statistics The US has the highest rate of arson in the world One of the fastest growing crimes $1.5 billion in property loss/year 55% of all arson arrests are children under 18 yoa
Arson Statistics Leading cause of fires 50% of arson cases occur outdoors, 30% in structures, 20% in vehicles Cooking fires are the leading cause of fire-related injury, and smoking fires are the leading cause of fire deaths
Arson & The Law Felony Arson – Up to $25,000 fine &/or 3-7 years in jail Aggravated Arson (Felony) - Up to $25,000 fine &/or 6-30 years in jail Residential Arson (Felony) - Up to $25,000 fine &/or 4-15 years in jail
Who are arsonistis? Gender Race Age # Fires set History with law Intelligence Education Psychological history
Who are arsonistis? Family/Relationships Hobbies Occupation Post-fire activity Ego
Who are arsonists? Organized Elaborate incendiary devices, less physical evidence, methodical Disorganized Uses materials at hand, more physical evidence is left