Crime Scene Detective Arson at HBMS Crime Scene Investigation Who started the fire in the HBMS library? Crime Scene Detective Arson at HBMS

7 Possible Motives for Arson Vanity 5. pyromania Crime concealment 6. civil disorder Juvenile 7. spite or revenge Insurance fraud

Fast Facts on Fires 1200 degrees F temperature at which aluminum melts 1550 degrees F- temperature at which a normal house fire burns 1981 degrees F- temperature at which copper melts 2781 degrees F- temperature at which steel melts

Conclusions In a typical house fire(accidental), you would expect anything aluminum to melt. If copper and steel melt, an accelerant was used.

Indicators of Accelerant Being Used 1. Small cracks or crazing on glass indicate a fast, hot fire, which means an accelerant was used to start the fire. Large cracks on glass indicate a slow fire, which means an accelerant was not used. Wood burns at 1 inch per 45 minutes.

Color of Flame as it Relates to Temperature of Fire Flame Color Temperature (F) Faint red Blood red Bright red Orange Lemon White Blue White 900 1050 1550 1725 1825 2200 2250

Color of Smoke Created by Certain Combustibles Smoke Color Combustible White White to gray Yellow to brownish yellow Greenish yellow Gray to brown Violet Brown Brownish black Black to brown Black Phosphorous Benzine Sulfur, sulfuric acid , gunpowder Chlorine gas Wood, paper, cloth Iodine Cooking oil Lacquer thinner Turpentine Acetone, kerosene, gasoline oil, rubber, tar, coal ,