NCJ Number
51374
Date Published
1978
Length
286 pages
Annotation
A GUIDE TO ARSON INVESTIGATION IS PRESENTED TO SERVE FIRE SCIENCE STUDENTS, FIRE FIGHTERS AND OFFICERS, INSPECTORS, INVESTIGATORS, AND INSURANCE COMPANY PERSONNEL.
Abstract
AFTER AN OVERVIEW OF THE CONTEMPORARY ARSON PROBLEM, THE TEXT DISCUSSES MOTIVES FOR ARSON, THE ROLE OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THE CHEMISTRY OF FIRE. THESE TOPICS PROVIDE THE BACKGROUND FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE STUDY. SPECIFIC INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES ARE DISCUSSED FOR DETERMINING THE ORIGIN AND CAUSE OF THE FIRE, FOR CONDUCTING A FIRE-SCENE SEARCH, AND FOR USING TECHNICAL AIDS SUCH AS THE ARSON PATTERN RECOGNITION SYSTEM AND THE COMBUSTIBLE GAS DETECTOR. THE TEXT EXAMINES VARIOUS TYPES OF INVESTIGATION PROBLEMS INCLUDING ELECTRICAL FIRES, RURAL FIRES, AUTOMOBILE FIRES, AND EXPLOSIONS. THE JUVENILE FIRE SETTER IS CONSIDERED SEPARATELY, AND THE TEXT DIRECTS ITSELF TOWARD A COMMON-SENSE APPROACH TO AND STUDY OF THE JUVENILE ARSON PROBLEM. THE INVESTIGATOR IS GUIDED IN METHODS FOR CONDUCTING INTERVIEWS, KEEPING NOTES AND STATEMENTS, AND FORMULATING REPORTS. THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERROGATION, AND PREPARATION FOR AND PROCEDURES TO USE IN INTERROGATION, ARE CONSIDERED. THE FINAL CHAPTER CONTAINS INFORMATION ON PRESENTING AN ARSON CASE IN COURT. APPENDIXES INCLUDE A GLOSSARY OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TERMINOLOGY AND INSURANCE TERMS. AN INDEX IS PROVIDED. (DAG)