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

2. 7 Possible Motives for Arson
Vanity pyromania
Crime concealment civil disorder
Juvenile spite or revenge
Insurance fraud

3. 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

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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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 ,