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Arson investigation problems
Common forms and effects of arson
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Arson is considered a low priority crime because of a few reasons. Firstly, It's classified as a property crime rather than violence. Secondly, arson is a strenuous and tiring crime to investigate. Arson is also a very time consuming crime to investigate. Many arson cases remain unsolved. very few cases lead to arrests and convictions. Overall it's a very difficult to solve.
Well first of all the fire department extinguish the fire and find out the origin of the fire. If there is a possibility of arson they call the police to come investigate further. If the fire is arson then the police find persons of interest and begin an investigation. After this happens that is when insurance investigators show up to find out whether or not the company owes money because of the fire.
The first thing
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The point of origin usually has the most physical evidence. At the point of origin you can also find out if it was actually arson or if it was just a candle.
The fire triangle is a way of understanding the elements of fire. The three parts of the fire triangle are oxygen heat and fuel. To start a fire such as a campfire in this case you need fuel so dry leaves and sticks and for head you can rub two sticks together until it starts to smoke then make sure there is space underneath for oxygen. In arson these things can be completely different. Well i mean they are the same but instead of sticks and leaves they would use gasoline or some sort of fabric and maybe a lighter or some sort of match to start the fire.
Flames and smoke are very important things that investigators can see. The different colors of the flames can indicate things such as temperature and use of accelerants. The bun patterns left by flames can indicate the point of origin and how fast the flames spread. Investigators can see how long the fire was burning and when it was put out. Flames and smoke can show if the fire was accidental or if it was
In Lavoisier’s Memoir in Combustion in General, the author emphasizes the importance of organizing experimental data to form new theories. Specifically, he encourages hypothesis testing and trial-and-error to better understand the laws of nature. Lavoisier apply these principles to his own theory by outlining the observations from combustion and calcification, and by hypothesizing the properities of “pure air” and “the matter of fire”.
Fires kill plants and trees leaving wildlife without homes and food. Large fires cause lots of smoke and air pollution.
The first step of a comprehensive incendiary investigation is fire scene investigation. In the Tight Shoe Inc. report this is shown in the background information, property description, type of incident, fire cause, incendiary device description, evidence, photographs, property, and documentary evidence. This step reflects the work done and collected at the fire scene. The next step is assessment of investigative needs which is shown in the Tight Shoe Inc. report under motive and interviewing firefighters and other first responders. This step is usually done on the scene of the fire or right after. The following step is formulation and evaluation of a strategy which is shown in the Tight Shoe Inc. report under prosecution reports, obtaining search warrants and arson laboratory report. The next step of implementation of strategic plan is shown under insurance and potential criminal violations. The final step of the process is presentation of formal investigation is shown under summation of the investigation.
Arson dogs are proving themselves to be a valuable asset to the arson investigators. Arson dogs are being used more each year by investigators and as well as private companies. Who do investigate for insurance companies. The use of a dog is to help pinpoint the location of where the fire started and what caused it. The dog reduces the number of samples that need to be collected and sent to be tested. This saves time and money. The dogs are trained to scent out a variety of chemicals used in a fire. Such as gas, lighter fluid, charcoal started, diesel. Kerosene, alcohol, brake fluid, paint thinner, and many more.
Arson has been occurring for many years and about 500,000 fires are set intentionally each year. Arson is defined as any willful or malicious burning or attempt to burn, the property of another or cause physical harm to another. Fire data has been collected since 1977 by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and the amount of fires has been declining ever since. In the past few decades, there has come about a number of serial arsonists- an offender who sets three or more fires with a cooling-off period between the fires (Douglas, et al, 1992). There are numerous serial arsonists who have been caught, some of which include, Peter Dinsdale, Robert Lee Oyler, Thomas Sweatt, and Paul Keller. While the number of fires across the country have
Prescribed fires are a well debated topic. While many people support them because they "help prevent" more wildfires, and they are "controlled," I see from a different point of view. There's a reason most building don't allow smoking within a certain distance of the building. Many people don't like it and it can damage their health. Same thing with prescribed fires. They add more pollution to the air we breathe. I know a lot of people support these kinds of fires because the help control fuels, but there are other ways.
An arsonist is someone who habitually and intentionally starts fires. A serial arsonist however, is someone who habitually and intentionally sets three to five fires with a brief break in between each fire. Serial arsonists can be very mysterious and malicious. Most serial arsonists develop patterns and trends that may be able to help fire investigators predict their future behaviors of fire setting. What exactly goes on inside the mind of a serial arsonist? What are their motives for setting fires and being responsible for the deaths of so many?
Small portions of the body (an arm, a foot, maybe the head) remain unburned. 3) Only objects immediately associated with the body are burned; the fire never spreads away from the body. 4) A greasy soot deposit covers the ceiling and walls, usually stopping three to four feet above the floor. 5) Objects above this three to four foot line show signs of heat damage (melted candles, cracked mirrors, etc.). )
In most senses, his or her job is not to only fight fires, but also to search out for life within the fire, administer aid if needed, along with the searching for clues to what might have been the cause of the accident or blaze. The Fireman combines the work ethic of not only his or her job, but along with the knowledge of a nurse and police officer. True, he or she does not always play a role in the other areas besides fighting fires, but they have to be able to pick-up where ever they are needed in whatever role. In order to broaden the knowledge of the firemen, it is most commonly done through new types of study and training. A fireman can take lessons from a CD with the help of a computer, and run simulations on their own to refine and expand their own personal abilities as a fireman.
Investigating an arson is very difficult because fires tend to destroy evidence and firefighters while fighting the blaze will move things around and destroy even more evidence. Once an investigation is open for an arson, investigators need to find the source of heat and the material ignited in order to determine if it was a set fire. The two most important question investigators will ask is where and how did the fire start? When a fire has multiple starting points that should raise the level of suspicion and dictate if the fire was purposely set. Other preliminary steps to take is for investigators to find ignition devices. These devices can be gasoline, chemicals, matches, or other types of accelerants. Accelerants also known as boosters speeds of the process of a fire by adding to the initial fire for the fire to burn rapidly and increase the intensity. Firefighter and law enforcement can look for melted metals or similar materials. This can mean that accelerants were used because metals usually burn at about 3,000*F. The most important thing for law enforcement and fire fighters when suspecting an arson is to not move and contaminate any physical evidence. The first thing they should secure is any harm or injuries and clear
There are different classes of fire and extinguishers which depends on what is on fire. This is important to familiarize with to be able to know what type of extinguisher should be used in case of fire.
1) What are some of the fire anomalies an arson investigator will look for during an investigation? A fire investigator will first ensure that the fire did not have an accidental cause, by searching for clues like faulty wiring, cigarette smoking and overheated electric motors. Then the investigator will begin an extensive on-site investigation by first looking for containers that are capable of holding an accelerant, as well as an ignition device such as a candle. The investigator will also be looking for irregularly shaped patterns on the floor, which could be caused by the accelerant. Finally, the accelerant will search for signs of breaking and entering and theft.
...r it is arson, an uncontrolled camp fire, or a cigarette butt it doesn’t take much for humans to spark a disaster. Yet there is as well a few set by good old Mother Nature. On top of the effects on the earth as well as humans, there is only one thing we all can do and that is listen to our old pal Smokey the Bear when he says, “only you can prevent wildfire.”
Also, Criminal Investigators can determine how a fire started by using computer analysis devices. Whether or not an accelerant was used in a fire such as: gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, or if the fire just accidentally happened.
Fires in the campus may arise from the irresponsible use of appliances, lighters, unattended candles, faulty wiring and outlets smoking, impaired judgment due to alcohol, arson, overloading and other factors. Some of these are due to ignorance while others are lack of