NCJ Number
73939
Date Published
1981
Length
209 pages
Annotation
Fundamental information on the conducting of fire investigations is presented in this book written by fire investigators and fire science instructors for the beginner or the professional.
Abstract
Beginning with an introduction to the chemistry of fire and fire behavior, the text moves on to discuss Supreme court decisions, such as Michigan v. Tyler et al., (1978) and other legal matters affecting arson investigations. It then considers the observations that firefighters and police officers should make prior to and after their arrival at the fire scene. In a chapter on fire scene searches, the interpretation of such burn indicators as burn patterns and char depths receives attention. The courts recognize three basic causes of fire -natural, accidental, and incendiary -- and fire causes are discussed within this frame of reference. Also explained are the types, sources, causes, and characteristics of explosions in addition to the meaning of some of the patterns and results found after an explosion has occurred. A chapter on fatal fires describes the additional problems investigators may face and emphasizes the importance of the autopsy and post mortem investigations. Because an understanding of arsonists' goals is necessary to effective investigations, the text also examines the motives for firesetting, including fraud and profit, revenge and spite, pathological and psychopathic indicators, terrorism, and juvenile thrillseeking. Final sections of the text deal with the techniques of interviewing people and recording information, the care and handling of physical evidence, and the ignition devices that the investigator must look for in cases involving suspicious fires. Study questions accompany each chapter. Photographs, data tables, footnotes, 37 references, and an index are included. Appendixes contain information on portable equipment for the detection of fire accelerants and on Michigan v. Tyler et al. (Author abstract modified.)