Scribd
Upload
6 views3 pages

Understanding Arson: Causes and Investigation

The document discusses arson, defining it as the willful and malicious burning of property, and outlines its legal implications under both Old Common Law and the Revised Penal Code. It highlights the challenges of detecting arson due to the destruction of physical evidence and presents four basic lines of inquiry for investigating arson: origin of fire, motive, identification of prime suspect, and identification of fire setter. Additionally, it includes exercises for students to engage with the material, focusing on signs of arson, methods to start fires, and evidence preservation.

Uploaded by

ryannebab12
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
6 views3 pages

Understanding Arson: Causes and Investigation

The document discusses arson, defining it as the willful and malicious burning of property, and outlines its legal implications under both Old Common Law and the Revised Penal Code. It highlights the challenges of detecting arson due to the destruction of physical evidence and presents four basic lines of inquiry for investigating arson: origin of fire, motive, identification of prime suspect, and identification of fire setter. Additionally, it includes exercises for students to engage with the material, focusing on signs of arson, methods to start fires, and evidence preservation.

Uploaded by

ryannebab12
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Topic 12: Arson

Objective/s:

The students should be able to discuss the several causes of fire and the methods to identify the
arsonist.

Lesson 1: Forms of Arson

Arson

One of the most heinous crimes committed by men. It is an offense of great malignity and
probably more destructive than murder.

Definitions of Arson

[Link] the Old Common Law

Arson is the willful and malicious burning of the house or house of another man.

Now, the present law of the crime arson extended its scope and cover all kinds of building,
structures and even personal property.

[Link] the Revised Penal Code

Arson is the destruction of property by fire and the extent of liabilities depends on:

a. Kind and character of the building

b. Location

c. Extent of damage or value

d. State of being inhabited or not

Forms of Arson

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]

[Link]

Arson is the easiest crime to commit but the most difficult to detect, tougher to solve than
homicide. In arson the physical evidence that normally aid in convincing criminals may have
wholly destroyed by the fire itself.
Lesson 2: Four (4) basic lines of inquiry in the investigation of arson

Four (4) basic lines of inquiry in the investigation of arson:

[Link] of fire

Fire may belong to any of the following:

A. Natural cause without intervention

a. Lightning

b. Explosion

c. Spontaneous combustion

d. Miscellaneous cause (damage to electric cables due to earthquake or storm;


breaking of gas pipes, etc.)

B. Accidental cause with or without human intervention

a. Faulty wiring

b. Careless handling of inflammables

c. Children playing with match

d. Careless smokers

e. Careless handling of electric iron, stoves, candles,


cigarette butts, mosquito coils

C. Arson or Touch Off fires (a set fire)-when all natural and accidental causes have
investigator to determine if it is fact a “touch off” fire.

Tell Tale Signs

[Link]

[Link] of prime suspect

4. Identification of fire setter

Exercise / Activity 13
Directions: Answer briefly the following questions using a yellow pad paper (for handwritten
answers), legal size bond paper for typewritten answers and submit it on the schedule provided by
the instructor. Students who have internet access may submit it on the facebook class group chat
(gc) on the schedule provided by the instructor.

[Link] what is “tell tale” signs?


2. Enumerate and discuss the mechanical methods to start a fire
3. Enumerate and discuss the chemical methods to start a fire
[Link] what are incendiary material?
5. Discuss the collection and preservation of arson evidence.

You might also like