1. Chapter 4
Case Studies

2. Berns Triplets 1988 House burned
Mother Patti died from smoke inhalation
Father Scott asleep on couch, awoke, and was able to save triplet girls – but they had third degree burns
Suspicious burn patterns near couch

3. Scott indicted
He abused drugs, had shot at wife’s car earlier that day
Difficult to determine events
Jury found there was reasonable doubt
Acquitted

4. John Orr 1984 (several years)
Several arson fires in CA – one killed 4 people
No clear pattern
Started in LA, moved north to Fresno – where there was a convention of arson investigators
55 suspects
Several years & fires and another convention in LA later

5. One suspect – respected arson investigator John Orr
Suffered from hero syndrome
Convicted of 4 murders
Life sentence, no parole

6. Career
Arson dog handler/trainer