Arson

v

Objectives:  Understand the basic definition of fire Identify and explain the relationship between the area and point of origin Explain the relationship between point of origin and cause of fire Explain the importance of reconstructing the area of fire origin in determining the cause Identify the four basic categories of fire cause Explain the importance of identifying, documenting, and preserving physical evidence at a fire scene

__** Vocabulary **__


 * Point Of Origin-** Precise point where an ignition source, fuel, and oxidizer unite to create a fire.


 * Ignition Source-** Location of a flame, arc, spark, or chemical reaction that provides sufficient heat energy in the presence of a fuel and an oxidizer to initiate combustion.


 * Area of Origin-** General area where a fire started. Term used when fire originates in a large area or when exact point of origin cannot be determined.


 * Fire Patterns-** Mark left by fire, smoke and soot on structures and devices. Characteristics patterns: horizontal patterns, plumes, V-shaped, saddle burns.


 * Spoliation-** Intentional or negligent destruction or alteration of evidence.


 * Accelerant-** Agent, often an ignitable liquid, that acts to initiate a fire or increase its rate of spread.


 * Incendiary Fire-** Fire intentionally caused by human activity.


 * Liquid Accelerant-** Combustible or flammable liquid used to accelerate ignition and spread of a fire.


 * Comparision Samples-** an uncontaminated or unmodified example to be used for comparison with a sample that may have been modified, altered, damaged, or contaminated.


 * "V" Patterns-** Fire pattern seen when a flame impinges on a verticle surface.


 * Subrogation-** substituting one creditor for another as when an insurance company seeks to recover the costs paid to an insured by a manufacturer or service installer if the manufacturer's product can be shown to have inherent design flaws or the service provider engaged in negligent behavior.

 **Summary** __Behavior of Fire__: · Necessities include fuel supply, oxygen, and heat. · Extends horizontally and vertically from its point of origin · normally transcends four phases: o __Incipient: __Earliest phase, which may last anywhere from a fraction of a second to several hours or days depending on the fuel or ignition source o __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Emergent source: __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> Products of combustion become increasingly pronounced. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Free Burning: __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> rate and intensity of open burning increases, and doubles with each 18 degrees F. Heat rapidly evolving from the original point of the fire is convected and collects at the upper areas of the structure or room. Additional heat is transferred through conduction and radiation. A flashover may occur when the temperature reaches the ignition temperature of all the combustible items in the room. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Oxygen-regulated smoldering: __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Occurs when the oxygen enriched air in the room is depleted. The depletion of supply causes the flaming combustion to end and it is replaced to a large extent with glowing combustion. This produces a heavy smoke and gases, which are forced from the room under pressure. The fire continues to smolder and the temperatures exceed 1000 degrees F. __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Origin and Cause Analysis: __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Heaviest fire damages occur at the point of origin <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Evaluation of fire patterns, physical evidence, and distortion of components or items in a fire can help <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Cause can be classified as: <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Natural-act of nature (i.e. lightening) <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Accidental-unintentional and explainable (may include negligent acts) <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Undetermined-cause of unknown, unable to be identified <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Incendiary-intentional act of setting fire <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Almost all fires have some type of human involvement whether intentional or accidental <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Criminal charges may include arson, insurance fraud, or murder. <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The reconstruction and examination of the fire scene can be seriously impended by indiscriminate or haphazard handling of the routine firefighting operation known as overhaul, which involves the inspection of, and movement/removal of debris in an effort to discover concealed embers or flames that might rekindle the fire <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">More than one area or point of origin may be an indicator of an intentionally set fire <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Fire safety systems should be evaluated, i.e.: <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Heat detectors <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Fire escapes <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">fire equipment <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Properly identify the ignition sources <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Electrical utilities <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Heating equipment like stoves, heaters, etc. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o  <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Chemicals <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Candles <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Identify accelerant, possibility of an incendiary fire, and take comparison samples, for example, carpeting, wood floor, and wooden furniture __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Fatal Fire Investigation: __ <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">A fire incident with fatalities highlights the importance of cooperation and thoroughness in the investigation <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">There is a lot of loss of physical evidence, so identification, documentation, and preservation of evidence is important <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Identify relation of victim to origin of fire is important <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Gross identification-friend/relative indentifies the victim <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Other means of identification include: <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Odontology <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Fingerprint comparison <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Examination of scars/tattoos <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Evidence of surgical procedures <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Unique or unusual deformity <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Gender <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Race <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Build <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Features <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Approximate age <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Personal papers <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Jewelry <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">clothing <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Motor Vehicle <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Most common internal combustion engine can vary from unleaded gasoline to diesel. <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Typically characterized as noncombustible small containers and frames with a concentration <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Combustible <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Flammable <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Investigators should document missing components and damage <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o The record the extent of fire damages to the engine <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Passenger compartment <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Truck/payload <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Ventilation through an open window or door <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Produces distinct patterns <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Collection of fire evidence <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Defined as finite or tangible <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Search warrants are granted <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Documenting the sample collections <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· Evidence Containers <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Metal cans are recommended for solids and liquids <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Metal cans rust and corrode after time <span style="font-family: 'Courier New'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Courier New'; msofareastfontfamily: 'Courier New'; msolist: Ignore;">o Special evidence bags are a growing container <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Works with all sizes and shapes <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; msobidifontfamily: Wingdings; msofareastfontfamily: Wingdings; msolist: Ignore;">§ Cost