The Fire

Origin

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One of the first things to look for is the origin of the fire.

• Accidental fire usually has one origin only

• Arson/Intentional Fire often has multiple origins (two or more
separate fires)

Natural Behavior of Fire

• Fire moves upward and spreads laterally in all directions
• It seldom burns downward unless influenced by strong wind or
ventilation

How to determine origin:

• Check the most damaged area usually where the fire started and
lasted longest
• Trace the patterns, the point where the lines intersect the origin

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Alligator Pattern

The alligator pattern (checking of charred

wood giving it the appearance of caused by the
fire often can be used to alligator skin) caused
trace the fire to its origin. The pattern at the
point of origin is smaller and deeper than the
rest of the areas, The pattern is also smaller and
deeper at points where flammable liquids were
used.
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INFORMATION FROM PEOPLE

• The good investigator knows how to how to interview people to get information that
can help determine the origin of the fire, the cause of fire and even incendiary origin
of the fire.
• The owner, the family of the owner, person calling in the alarm, neighbors, witnesses,
or any person who might help in any way should be interviewed. If an investigator
ever needed to be a skilled interviewer, it is in arson investigation cases.
Key questions to ask:

a. His identity
b. His business in the arson of the fire.
c. What attracted his attention to it?
d. Time of observation and exact location of the blaze.
e. His position in relation to the fire at time of observation.
f. Size of intensity, rapidity of spread, and direct travel of flame.
g. Color of flame, and odor if he is in a position to observe these.
h. Other pertinent information. 4
 METHODS OF ESTABLISHING
ARSON
BURN INDICATORS
• the physical effects of heat on structural materials. A primary
indicator of arson is the discovery of multiple points of origin; while
accidental fires typically start from a single source, arson fires are
often set in various locations simultaneously to ensure maximum
destruction.
• the presence of fire accelerants—substances used to increase the
speed and intensity of the flames—serves as definitive proof of
criminal intent.
 2. Behavioral Patterns and Surveillance

Investigators are trained to observe spectators for suspicious

actions, such as
• an "overzealous" desire to assist,
• behavior that interferes with firefighting efforts, such as
driving over fire hoses.
• documenting vehicle license plates departing the area arson
suspects.
• the behavior of owners and occupants—including their
emotional state and even their attire
 3. Chemical Indicators: Accelerants and
Masking Agents Gasoline remains the most
common accelerant due to its availability and
distinct odor.

• To hide this scent from investigators or to

prevent firefighters from entering a building,
arsonists may use ammonia, which produces
a pungent, irritating gas.
• Other chemicals, such as kerosene, alcohol,
and camphor-scented films, also leave
behind specific olfactory and chemical
traces.
An investigator must also watch the fire’s
physical characteristics; if a fire burns with
unusual intensity or produces unnatural
flame colors (like blue or green) when sprayed
with water, it indicates that chemical
compounds were used to boost the fire’s
power.
 • The Significance of Smoke and Structural
Manipulation.
The color of smoke provides a "fingerprint" of the
materials being consumed.
• white smoke often indicates humid vegetation or
phosphorus,
• thick black smoke suggests petroleum-based
products or rubber.
Arsonists often create cross-drafts by purposefully
opening doors, windows, and ventilators, or by boring
holes into walls and floors to help the fire spread
faster. Locked or obstructed entrances are also
common tactics used to delay the arrival of
emergency equipment.
 GATHERING, PRESERVING AND
ANALYZING EVIDENCES
•The arsonist expects the fire to destroy all
of the evidence, while it destroys most
some evidence still remains
•The investigation must be done
immediately after the fire is extinguished.
If delayed evidence may be lost or
contaminated.

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 FINDING AND PRESERVING EVIDENCE
Chain of Custody:
1. Even if the fire looks like an accident (like a short
circuit, investigators must handle the wires or
appliances carefully.
2. Avoiding "Contamination"
Fire scenes are messy. There is soot, water from fire
trucks, and debris everywhere.
-If you find a clue, you must prove that the "dirt" or
"chemicals" on it came from the fire scene, not from
the back of a dirty patrol car or the investigator's
hands.
3. Scientific Reliability
A laboratory can only give a correct answer if the
sample they get is
"pure." If an investigator puts a burnt cloth in a
plastic bag (improper handling) instead of a glass jar
or metal can, the chemicals might leak out.
• The crime lab in most cases would be
needed to prove which types of accelerant
was used.
• Wood flooring and rugs are the most
common substrates, followed by furniture
and upholstery. These materials are where
the crime lab separates accelerant residues.
• Fumed from the accelerants of
hydrocarbons would escape from plastic or
open containers
 Why avoid Plastic?
You must not use plastic containers or bags
because plastic is permeable. This means that
the chemical vapors from accelerants can pass
through or seep out of the plastic material.
Once the vapors escape, the evidence is lost
and can no longer be detected or analyzed in
the laboratory.
Importance of Crime Laboratories:

Hidden Traces: Even if a room is completely burnt,

the lab can find microscopic drops of gasoline deep
inside the floorboards.

Identifying the Fuel: The lab can tell exactly what

brand of lighter fluid or gas was used, which can
help police track where the suspect bought it.
Time Delay Devices
• These allow a fire to start after a period of time, not immediately
They may use mechanical, electrical, or chemical methods to create
delay.

Examples:
• Candles - burn slowly; the flame reaches flammable materials
after some time and starts a fire
• Matches - can be set or arranged to ignite after a delay, causing
fire later
• Batteries - can produce heat or sparks when connected, which
can ignite materials after a period of time
• Clock timers - set to activate a device at a specific time to start
a fire
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 Condition of Doors,Windows,Furniture
In cases where a building has burned to the ground, the hardware of
doors and window remain. They will fall straight down, unless
moved by the water stream of the firemen. This may tell whether a
door or windows was opened or closed.

• Metal parts of furniture may tell whether or not furniture has

been moved from the building before the fire.
• Ashes may give the crime on something to work with. If the house
prior to the fire and inexpensive furniture move in. The crime lab
can tell from the ashes.
• Evidence of fraud fires should be carefully examined. This is
tremendous problem and should remain uppermost in the mind
of the investigator.
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 Burn Indicator
1. Alligatoring effect: checking of charred wood, giving it the
appearance of the alligator skin. Large, rolling blisters indicates rapid,
intense heat, while small, flat alligatoring indicates long, low heat.

2. Crazing of glass: formation of irregular cracks in glass due to rapid,

intense heat, while small, possible fire accelerant.

3. Depth of char: depth of burning wood - used to determine length of

burn and thereby locate the point of origin of the fire.

4. Line of demarcation: boundary between charred and uncharred

material. On floors or rugs, a puddle shaped line of demarcation is
believed to indicate a liquid fire accelerant. In the cross section of
wood, a sharp, distinct line of demarcation indicates a rapid, intense
fire. 11
5. Sagged furniture springs: because of the heat required for furniture springs to
collapse from their own weight (1150°F) and because of the insulating effect of the
upholstery, sagged springs are believed to be possible only in either a fire originating
inside the cushions (as from a cigarette) rolling between the cushions) or an extrnal
fire intensified by a fire accelerant.

6. Spalling: breaking off of pieces of the surface of concrete, brick or cement due to
intense heat. Brown stains around the spall indicate the use of fire accelerant.

7. Freezing of leaves: drying of leaves in a forest fire into their position at the time of
the fire. Since the leaves turn during the day. "Some persons regard this evidence as
unreliable because of insufficient clinical and research conformation and the
influence of the fire wind."

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Olfactory Detection
• Gasoline is a complex mixture of chemical compounds, the proportion of
which vary with the source of the crude oil and the type of process used in its
manufacture.

• Olfactory fatigue, is the tendency of the nose to lose its sensitivity to an odor
after a prolonged or intense exposure to it.

• One case an arsonist attempted to camouflage the presence of gasoline by

mixing vanilla with it to mask the odor. Finally, it may be inconvenient or
impossible to search for accelerant odor with nose along with certain types of
detector equipment.

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Types of Accelerants:

• Petroleum Products: These include gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. They

are highly flammable and leave oily residues.

• Explosives: Some arsonists use pipe bombs or gunpowder to start fires

quickly.

• Flammable Materials: Common household items like alcohol, paint

thinner, or even large amounts of paper and wood used to "feed" the
fire.
Technical Methods in Investigation
• Detecting Residues: Even if a building
burns down, chemicals soak into porous
materials like wood, carpets, or soil.
• The "Sniffer" (Hydrocarbon Detector): A
handheld device that "breathes" in air and
beeps when it detects flammable vapors.
• Arson Dogs: Specifically trained K-9s can
find a single drop of gasoline in a massive
pile of debris much faster than a human.
 Where to find Accelerants?
• Floors: Check porous surfaces like wood,
concrete, or tiles where liquid may have
soaked in or pooled.
• Soil: If the fire occurred outdoors or if liquid
leaked through the floor onto the ground
below.
• Debris: Among ashes, charred wood, carpets,
rags, or any burnt materials that may have
absorbed the substance.
Chemical Color Test Detectors

• used to detect both dyes can spread in suspected areas and

will indicate the liquid accelerant residues and their vapors.

• the dye may is less sensitive and specific to flammable

liquids than interfere with subsequent laboratory tests
intended to identify the accelerant.

• Hydrocarbon vapor scan be detected by pumping a

suspected sample through a glass container of reagent,
which changes color in the presence of hydrocarbons.
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 Catalytic Combustion Detector

The most common type of flammable vapor detector used by arson

investigators operates on the catalytic combustion principle and is
popularly known as sniffer, combustible gas indicator, explosimeter, or
vapor detector.

The heat from the oxidation raises the electrical resistance of the coil and
his changes in resistance are measured electronically.

The other problem is the gradual loss of sensitivity when the detector is
exposed to gasoline containing lead. Lead deposits form on the
platinum catalyst and interfere with its operation.
While the detector correctly indicate the presence of the more
volatile fire accelerants (gasoline, paint thinner), it gave low readings 18

for less volatile accelerants (fuel oil, turpentine).

Flame Ionization Detector

• the sample gas is mixed with hydrogen and the

mixture is burned.
• Ionized molecules are produced in the flame
proportion to the amount of combustible organic
gases in the sample. (Pure hydrogen, air, and
water vapor produce little ionization.) the degree
of ionization is then measured by using an
electrometer to determine the resulting increase
in the electrical conductivity to methane is about
one part per ten million. 19
Laboratory Testing & Equipment

• Gas Chromatography: A lab machine that breaks down a

sample to identify the exact chemical "fingerprint" of
the fuel used.
• Mass Spectrometry: Used alongside chromatography to
confirm the identity of a substance with 100%
accuracy.
• Evidence Collection: Samples are sealed in airtight
metal cans so the vapors don't evaporate before they
reach the lab.
Infrared Spectrophotometer

• can achieved very high specificity to flammable liquids and high

sensitivity of about hundredths of part per million.
• The recording can then be compared with those of known compounds
determine the identity of the sample.

Since the chemical bonds in the compound determine the way in which
infrared radiation, these recording called spectrograms are unique for
different compounds.

However, evidence mixed with impurities must be purified before it can

be successfully identified. In particular, since water vapor absorbs
infrared light, it interferes with the identification of flammable vapors.
This is a disadvantage in arson investigation, where water is commonly
present. 21
Ultraviolet Fluorescence

These substances color with which the substances glow is

affected by appear to glow against the darkened
background.

The exposure to heat, and thus, the method can be used

not only to locate accelerant residues but also to help
locate the point of origin of the fire.

The only equipment required is an ultraviolet lamp and

portable power supply. 22
Recovery of Fire Accelerant Residue

• It must first be separated from the ashes, wood, carpeting, or other

material in which they are found before they can be analyzed.
• This extraction is usually accomplished by one of three types. Of
distillation: simple, steam, or vacuum.
• Both steam and vacuum distillation are capable of extracting 64% of
any gasoline from debris.

Identification of Prime Suspect

The final basic line of inquiry .The identification is developed from

clues, traces, testimony of persons particularly eye witnesses, and
expert testimony may be of value.
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Difficulties in Investigating Arson Cases

The reasons for the low rate of investigation of fires fall

mainly into two categories.

1. Physical nature of the fire scene

2. 2. Administrative Problems

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1. PHYSICAL NATURE OF THE FIRE SCENE (Problems related to the
scene and evidence)

• Destruction of Evidence: The fire itself, along with water used for
extinguishing, destroys and washes away potential clues and
traces.
• Complexity: It is difficult to determine the exact point of origin,
especially in large and devastated areas.
• Contamination: Odors and chemical residues easily evaporate or
mix with other substances due to heat and air.
• Hidden Clues: Evidence is often buried under debris and
requires special tools and expertise to recover.
2. ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS (Problems related to the
system, personnel, and process)

• Lack of Training: Not all investigators have sufficient

knowledge or specialized training in arson detection.

• Lack of Equipment: Shortage of modern tools and

detectors needed to analyze evidence properly.

• Lack of Support: Insufficient priority, funding, or

coordination among agencies.

• Witness Reliability: Difficulty in finding credible witnesses

or obtaining accurate statements.
Difficulties in Prosecuting Arson Cases

• Legally, fires are assumed to be accidental in origin until proven otherwise.

The proof that the origin was incendiary and that a crime occurred is called
the corpus delecti (body of the crime) of the arson case.
• Since arson is committed surreptitiously, witnesses are rare. Arson must
therefore usually established using circumstantial evidence including physical
evidence, such as fire accelerant residues or multiple points or origin of the
fire, which s difficult to find.

• Once arson has been established, the prosecution centers on implicating the
defendant. Again witnesses are few (unlike, say, robbery or assault), so a
complex circumstantial case must usually be constructed.
• Such a case requires greater trial preparation and more experience on the part
of the fiscal:
• One of the criteria for promotion is the number of convictions returned. Finally,
because of the heavy reliance on physical evidence, the prosecutor may feel
uneasy with the large amount of expert scientific testimony required.
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Summary

Fire has natural and human origins

Arson is intentional
Investigation uses science and
evidence
Thank
You

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