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Jamecia Hampton

Professor Long

CJUS 315 001

11/10/2024

Arson Lab Assignment

According to the Louisiana State Legislature, RS 14:52 simple arson is either the following,

(1)“The intentional damaging by any explosive substance or the setting fire to any property of

another, without the consent of the owner and except as provided in R.S. 14:51.”

(2) “The starting of a fire or causing an explosion while the offender is engaged in the

perpetration or attempted perpetration of another felony offense even though the offender does

not have the intent to start a fire or cause an explosion.”

B. In cases of simple arson that results in damages of five hundred dollars or more, the

offender may face a fine of up to fifteen thousand dollars. Additionally, they could be sentenced

to hard labor imprisonment for a period of up to fifteen years

C. In cases where the damage caused is less than five hundred dollars, the offender may face a

fine up to two thousand five hundred dollars, imprisonment for up to five years with or without

hard labor, or both penalties.

Acts 1985, No. 300, §1; Acts 2010, No. 818, §1; Acts 2017, No. 281, §1.

A fire is a chemical reaction that transforms fuel and oxygen into carbon dioxide and

water. It typically begins as a small flame, which can be seen, heard, and felt. The heat released

during this initial stage initiates a chemical change, leading to combustion depending on the

material involved. For example, in a demonstration featuring a sofa, the sofa underwent a
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chemical change that produced black smoke and progressed to combustion. Ultimately, this

process resulted in white smoke, indicating that the sofa was breaking down into new substances.

It's important to note that only gases can burn; solids and liquids do not ignite themselves.

Instead, gases react with heat and oxygen, which ultimately produces fire.

Ventilation plays a vital role in the behavior and dynamics of a fire, as highlighted by the

UL Firefighters Safety Research Institute (2020). Openings such as doors and windows can

significantly alter fire patterns, affecting how investigators interpret fire scenes. Understanding

the influence of airflow adds depth to fire investigations and reveals the narrative behind the

flames. The behavior of fire typically unfolds in six steps. It begins with motion, driven by

temperature changes that cause gases to expand. This leads to variations in temperature, resulting

in hot smoke that occupies more space yet remains less dense. Consequently, this less-dense

smoke rises above denser gases in the room. As the fire progresses, black smoke indicates a

diminishing oxygen supply, and the relentless rise of smoke signals areas of the room that have

burned out. Ultimately, the room becomes filled with dark smoke as the fire consumes the

available oxygen, leading to the flames extinguishing. The fuel and oxygen are transformed into

byproducts, primarily carbon particles known as soot.

To become an arson investigator, I underwent training at the investigator academy, where

I learned through videos and hands-on experiences. My training culminated in an actual crime

scene investigation in a kitchen that had been severely damaged by fire. As I entered the dark,

smoky space, the heat enveloped me, and the once-familiar kitchen had transformed into a burnt

wreck. It felt precarious; I worried that anything I touched might collapse. Equipped with a

NIOSH-approved respirator, I braved the scene despite the tightness it caused on my face. Our

training emphasized the investigative method of working backward to uncover the truth about
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the fire’s origins. I began my examination on the right side of the kitchen, where I noticed visible

signs of burning, including charring around the cabinets and decomposition on the countertops,

though it quickly became clear that this area was not the fire's origin.

As I delved further into the kitchen, it became evident that the gas stove was turned off,

showing no signs of soot deposition, which indicated that it was not the source of the fire.

Notably, a clock resting on the stove had melted, suggesting it had been exposed to considerable

heat but not flames. Moving to the right-side cabinets, however, I encountered significant signs

of damage: there was extensive soot deposition, discoloration, and a noticeable loss of material.

A distinct V-shape marked the area, indicating the path of smoke, while the upper cabinet had

been so severely burned that it had collapsed. Among the findings was an electrical outlet sent

for lab analysis, where x-ray results showed the wire connections were intact. Additionally, I

discovered a charred mass of electronics that was also examined, but it remained inconclusive

whether these devices were powered on during the incident. According to a study by the National

Institute of Justice (2020), various types of electrical cords can lose insulation over time,

potentially causing power circuits to trip as fires spread, suggesting a possible link to the fire’s

origin. Inspecting the walls, I noticed a clear line of demarcation where soot accumulation

increased as it approached the wall. A melted glass carafe was found, its handle disfigured,

alongside burned potato chips on the counter. A toaster, also sent for analysis, had its power

switch in the off position, whereas an older coffee maker was still switched on. This revelation

indicated two possible ignition sources. Contrastingly, across from the stove on the countertop, a

visible damage pattern was present, while the lower cabinets showed no signs of heat transfer.

All evident damage was concentrated on the counter and upper cabinets, prompting further

investigation into the possible causes of the fire.

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After thoroughly reviewing the evidence and notes from the incident, I began analyzing

the situation by considering what had been most damaged. The cabinets and countertops on the

right side of the kitchen showed significant charring and discoloration, indicating they were close

to the fire’s origin. Among the charred remains was a collection of electronics, making it difficult

to determine their state at the time of the fire. Particularly noteworthy was a coffee maker that

appeared to have melted from excessive heat. Upon closer inspection, I concluded that it was the

likely cause of the fire. Following my investigation, I presented my findings to the team, and we

decided to send the coffee maker to a lab for further analysis. The results confirmed my theory,

and we promptly informed the family, hoping to bring them some closure. According to

Suitors,K (2018), while coffee maker fires are not very common, they do occur; only 43

incidents were reported over the previous two years. Details about the brands involved are

typically withheld by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. One case involved a machine

in Arlington, Virginia, which unexpectedly caught fire. I am confident that this incident was not

the result of arson but rather a genuine mistake. It’s plausible that the family was in a hurry that

morning, leading to a misunderstanding—either one parent thought the other had turned off the

machine or perhaps they both believed it was safe to leave it on. This unfortunate oversight

ultimately resulted in the fire.

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Works Cited

Simple Arson. Louisiana laws - louisiana state legislature. (2017).

[Link]

Suiters, K. (2018, February 3). Danger brewing: 7 on your side investigates potential fire

hazards of Coffee Makers. WJLA.

[Link]

e-hazards-of-coffee-makers

UL Firefighters Safety Research Institute (see reuse policy). (n.d.). Understanding the impact of

ventilation on burn patterns can aid arson investigations. National Institute of Justice.

[Link]

arson-investigations

What is fire?. Xplorlabs. (2024, August 26).

[Link]
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Pictures from the Scene

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