NCJ Number
17249
Date Published
Unknown
Length
53 pages
Annotation
A DISCUSSION OF THE NEEDS AND JUSTIFICATION FOR VESTING COMPLETE AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR ARSON AND EXPLOSION INVESTIGATIONS WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
Abstract
FOLLOWING A LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL FOR ORGANIZING THE CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, THE REPORT GOES ON TO GIVE REASONS WHY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS BETTER EQUIPPED AND EDUCATED TO INVESTIGATE FIRES AND BOMBINGS. OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT THE POLICE ARE GENERALLY DISINTEREST IN FIRES, THE GREAT EXPERIENCE OF FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN DEALING WITH FIRES WILL HELP IN FINDING THE TRUE CAUSE OF FIRES BY USING CLUES THAT INEXPERIENCED INVESTIGATOR WOULD OVERLOOK OR DISREGARD. THE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS OF SEARCH AND SEIZURE LAWS AND THE EXCLUSIONARY RULE ARE PRESENTED AS ANOTHER REASON FOR GIVING JURISDICTION TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THESE MATTERS. A LIST OF TRAINING COURSES FOR FIRE INVESTIGATORS IS ALSO GIVEN.