Police Arson Investigation (From Criminal and Civil Investigation Handbook, P 7-55 to 7-71, 1981, Joseph J Grau and Ben Jacobson, ed. - See NCJ-84274)

• NCJ Number: 84320
• Author(s): J J O'Connor
• Date Published: 1981
• Length: 17 pages
• Sale Source: McGraw-Hill Publishing Co
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This discussion of police arson investigation focuses on fire components and fire movement, heat indicators, initial response to the fire scene, the preliminary investigation report, physical examination of the fire scene, arson motives, the collection and handling of evidence, and civil litigation.

Abstract

The section on fire components considers the source of and transference of heat energy, fuel, oxygen, and building construction. The discussion of fire movement describes typical burning patterns and likely causes of exceptions to these patterns. Ways of measuring the heat generated in a fire are also indicated. Questions that should be asked of various persons at the fire scene are listed, followed by a presentation of the items to be included in the preliminary investigation report. The systematic approach recommended for the physical examination of the fire scene includes investigations of the exterior and interior, the room of origin, the point of origin, the cause, and special factors. The arson motives discussed are profit, revenge, vandalism and excitement, to conceal a crime, and mental illness. The typical approach used by organized crime in arson for profit is described as well. Special procedures to follow in the case of fire fatalities are indicated, with special attention given to the information that can be supplied by the medical examiner. The concluding section considers the role of the arson investigator in civil litigation in arson fraud cases.