NCJ Number
76899
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A valuable training film for fire service and law enforcement personnel, this film explains how firefighters can fight arson by identifying and preserving evidence.
Abstract
The film emphasizes that evidence of arson must be preserved by firefighters, since they arrive at the fire scene before investigators. Several categories of firesetters are described, including the political arsonist, who is motivated by rebellion and publicity; the fire bug (pyromaniac), who derives power and excitement from setting and watching fires; the spite arsonist, who uses fire to strike back at a particular person; and the vanity pyromaniac, who sets small fires and extinguishes them, thereby trying to be a hero and look good to others. Two other types of fires are the crime coverup fire, set to cover evidence of a crime, and the insurance fire, set to claim insurance money. Signs of arson include a long fuse leading to the source of ignition, an odor of gasoline, burn patterns or splash patterns, residue from candles, electrical appliances, and fire trails. For firefighters, observation during three stages is important: arrival, attack, and aftermath. Firefighters should watch for anything unusual during any of these stages, should note persons who are observing the fire, get the names and phone numbers of persons offering information, and should not discuss the fire with anyone before the fire investigator arrives.