1. 1 Book Cover Here Chapter 21 ARSON AND EXPLOSIVES Criminal Investigation: A Method for Reconstructing the Past, 7 th Edition Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

2. 2 Unusual Aspects of Arson 1.Fire may consume traces of its incendiary origin 2.Crime scene may be destroyed by water 3.Timing device may have been used – enables alibi 4.Falling debris/building collapse may destroy evidence 5.Freezing/hot weather may delay or prevent search Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

3. 3 Definitions Elements of the crime differ more from state to state than any other crime Keyed to the endangerment of life When was the fire started? Was a person in the structure, or was it reasonable to expect anyone to be? Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

4. 4 Corpus Delicti 1.Fire or burning occurred in a structure or property 2.The fire or burning was intentional, not accidental or attributable to negligence or natural causes 3.Someone set the fire, caused it to be set, or otherwise furthered the act Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

5. 5 Why is Arson Suspected?? A fire is considered to be of accidental origin unless proven otherwise. Hard to prove the fire was not accidental, even though suspicions and experience say otherwise Question all information until it is verified Every fire scene should be treated as a potential crime scene Working hypothesis Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

6. 6 People as a Source of Information Who Discovered the Fire? Firefighters Owner or Manager of the Structure Employees Insurance and Financial Personnel Business Competitors Other Possible Witnesses Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

7. 7 Conducting the Investigation 1.Case assigned to an investigator 2.Investigator plans investigation and assembles tools, equipment, and personnel 3.The scene is examined and data is collected 4.Physical evidence is collected, documented, tested, and evaluated 5.The scientific method is used to analyze the information obtained Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

8. 8 Fuel + Oxygen + Heat Source = COMBUSTION Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

9. 9 Combustion Fuels Oxygen Heat sources – Accidental Heat Sources – Heating / Cooking Systems – Electrical System (Equipment and Appliances) – Smoking – Matches – Natural Heat Sources Investigative Significance Accelerants Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

10. 10 Point of Origin Locating the Initial Site – Fire Patterns Pour Patterns Alligatoring “V” Pattern Charring – Heat Distortion Light Bulbs Spalling Crazing Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

11. 11 Significance of Finding Point of Origin Ignition Sources Plant (Arson Set) – Timing Devices – Matches, Candles, Cigarettes, and Other Timing Devices – Trailers Accelerants – Detection Methods – For Use at the Crime Scene – Collection and Transmission Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

12. 12 Motive Financial Gain – Insurance Fraud – Elimination of Competition – Moving and Resettlement Allowance Intimidation – Fear for Safety – Threatened Economic Loss – Change of Policy Emotional Reasons – Jealousy – Spite – Revenge – Hatred Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

13. 13 Motive continued Concealment of Another Crime – Homicide – Larceny – Fraud, Forgery, or Embezzlement – Other Crimes Pyromania Recognition Vandalism Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

14. 14 Records and Follow-Up Fire Records Straw Owners Persons of Interest – Bills – Accounts receivable – Taxes and tax liens Direct and Circumstantial Evidence Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

15. 15 Bombing Investigations: Explosives SEMTEX C-4 HMEs (Home Made Explosives) IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices) Triavetone Triperoxide (TATP) Peroxide-Based Explosive Pipe Bomb Plutonium-229 TNT (Trinitrotoluene) Ammonium Nitrate Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

16. 16 Types of Bombs Car bombs Fragmentation bombs Letter bombs Aircraft bombs Suicide bombers Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

17. 17 Primary Effects of Detonation Fragmentation Blast Pressure Fire Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved

18. 18 Conclusion Arson & Explosives = Specialized investigations Assistance of trained specialists often warranted Military hardware (rocket-propelled grenades; shoulder-mounted missiles) pose increasing threats Bombs/explosives may have terrorist underpinnings Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Inc. All Rights Reserved