1. Arson, Bombs and Explosives
Chapter 15
Arson, Bombs and Explosives

2. Classification of Fires
Natural
Accidental
Criminal (arson)
Suspicious
Of Unknown Origin

3. Arson Elements: Willful, malicious burning of a building or property
Heating to the ignition point is sufficient
Of another, or of one’s own to defraud
Or causing to be burned, or aiding, counseling or procuring such burning

4. Categories of Arson Aggravated Simple
Intentionally destroying or damaging a dwelling or property by means of fire, explosives, or other infernal device
Creating an imminent danger to life or great bodily harm, which risk was known or reasonably foreseeable to the suspect
Simple
Intentional destruction by fire or explosives
Does not create imminent danger or risk of great bodily harm

5. Degrees of Arson First-degree: burning of dwellings
Second-degree: burning of buildings, other than dwellings
Third-degree: burning of other property
Fourth-degree: attempting to burn buildings or property

6. Anatomy of an Arsonist Male Under 18
Reared in a broken or unstable home
Extensive criminal history
Below average intelligence
Lacks marital ties
Socially maladjusted or a loner
Unemployed or working in an unskilled position
Is intoxicated at the time he sets the fire

7. Motivation for Arson Revenge Spite or jealousy
Vandalism and malicious mischief
Crime, concealment, and diversionary tactics
Profit and insurance fraud
Intimidation, extortion, and sabotage
Psychiatric afflictions, pyromania, alcoholism, and mental retardation

8. Assistance in Investigating Arson
Fire Department
ATF
News Media
Insurance Companies
Arson Task Forces
Fire and Police Department personnel
Community leaders
Insurance representatives
City, county, and district attorneys
Federal agency personnel
Other

9. Special Challenges
Coordinating efforts with the fire department and others
Determining whether a crime has in fact been committed
Finding physical evidence
Finding witnesses
Determining whether the victim is a suspect

10. At the Fire Scene, Note:
Presence, location, and condition of victims and witnesses
Vehicles leaving the scene, bystanders or unusual activities near the scene
Flame and smoke conditions
Type of occupancy, use and condition of structure
Conditions surrounding the scene
Weather conditions
Fire suppression techniques used
Status of fire alarms, security alarms and sprinklers

11. The Fire Triangle Three elements necessary for a substance to burn:
Air
opened windows or doors
pried-open vents
holes knocked in walls
Fuel
newspapers
Excelsior
other combustible materials found at or brought to the scene
Heat

12. Burn Indicators Alligatoring Crazing Depth of char
Lines of demarcation
Sagged furniture springs
Spalling

13. Smoke Color Blue Smoke – Burning Alcohol
White Smoke – Burning vegetable compounds, hay or phosphorous
Yellow/Brownish yellow Smoke – film, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, smokeless gunpowder
Black Smoke – petroleum or petroleum products

14. Arson Summary Arson is likely in fires that:
Have more than one point of origin
Deviate from normal burning patterns
Show evidence of trailers
Show evidence of being accelerated
Produce odors or smoke of a color associated with substances not normally present at the scene
Indicate that an abnormal amount of air, fuel, or heat was present
Reveal evidence of incendiary igniters at the point of origin

15. Suspicious Circumstances
Suddenly emptied premises
Presence of materials not normally part of the business
Holes in the plaster exposing wood
Disconnected sprinkler systems
Blocked-open interior doors
Nailed-open fire doors
Other alterations that would provide more air, heat, or fuel to the area

16. Two-Step Warrant Process
Administrative warrant
Criminal warrant
Both require probable cause for issuance
Both require an affidavit in support of the warrant

17. Key Cases Michigan v. Clifford Coolidge v. New Hampshire
Michigan v. Tyler

18. Guidelines on Searches
Warrants are not required when an authorized person consents to the search.
Warrants are not required when investigators enter under “exigent circumstances.”
Without consent or an exigency, warrants are required if premises are subject to a “reasonable expectation of privacy.”

19. Guidelines on Searches, Continued
Evidence of a crime discovered during an administrative search may be seized if in plain view.
Once evidence of arson is discovered, the fire’s cause and origin are assumed to be known and a criminal warrant is required to continue the search.

20. Motives for Vehicle Arson
Desire to collect insurance.
Inability to make needed repairs after an unreported accident.
Desire to eliminate a loan on the vehicle.
Desire to cover up another crime.
General dissatisfaction with the vehicle’s performance.
Desire to resolve arguments over the use of the vehicle.

21. High-risk Arson Sites Abandoned Properties Negative-equity Properties
Property whose gas/electric were shut off
Prior-year Fires
Gang Locales
Known Drug Hot Spot Locations

22. Types of Bombs
Dry Ice
Mailbox Bomb
Car Bomb
Pipe Bomb

23. Famous Bombings 1993 Word Trade Center
1995 Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City
Unabomber
Military Barracks in Saudi Arabia
Atlanta’s Centennial Park
2001 World Trade Center and the Pentagon

24. Investigating After An Explosion
Search for Secondary Explosive Devises
Secure the scene
Establish a perimeter and staging areas
Advise all personnel of preventing contamination
Initiate the chain of custody for evidence
Establish procedures to document personnel entering and exiting the scene
Document procedures for evidence collection and control