FIRE PROTECTION AND ARSON INVESTIGATION

FINAL MODULE

WEEK 13

FIRE INVESTIGATION
In the Philippines, the Bureau of fire Protection is the main government agency
responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires on buildings, houses and
other structures, forest. Land transportation vehicles and equipment, ships or vessels docked at
piers or major seaports, petroleum industry installation, plane crashes and other similar incidents
as well as the enforcement of the Fire Code and other related 1laws. It has the major power to
investigate all causes of fires and necessary, file the proper complaints with the proper authority
that has jurisdiction over the case (R.A. no. 6975, sec. 54).
Why Fires should be investigated?
The very reason why fires should be investigated is to determine the cause of the fire in
order to similar occurrences. The determination of the origin and cause of fire is arrived at only
after a thorough investigation. Since basic investigation is prelude to the discovery of the true
cause of the fire, an understanding of the chemistry of fire and its attendant behavior should be a
concern for successful investigation.
Who are qualified to investigate fires?
A fire investigator should have the following traits:
 Possession of knowledge of investigational techniques.
 He should have an insight of human behavior
 He should have a first hand knowledge of the chemistry of fire and its behavior
 He should be resourceful.

Is Fire Investigation Complex and Unique?

 Fire investigation is complex and unique because of the following reasons:
 Fire destroys evidence
 If it is Arson, it is planned, motivated and committed is discreet.
 Rarely can there be an eyewitness in Arson.

What are the roles of the Firemen in Fire Investigation?

Firemen are usually at the crime scene ahead of the fire investigators. Hence, they are
valuable sources of information. They are the so-called "Eyes and Ears" of the police before,
during and after the fire has been placed under control. The information taken from them may be
categorize as:
 Information attainable or developed prior to the arrival at the scene
 Information available to the firemen at the scene
 Information available during overhaul and thereafter.

Legal Aspect of Fire Investigation

ARSON defined
Arson is the intentional or malicious destruction of property by fire.
It is the concern of fire investigation to prove malicious intent of the offender. Intent must be
proved, otherwise, no crime exists. The law presumes that a fire is accidental, hence criminal
designs must be shown. Fire cause by accident or criminal design must be shown.
What is Destructive Arson?
Under Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended, the penalty of Reclusion
Perpetua to death shall be imposed upon any person who shall burn:
 One (1) or more buildings or edifices, consequent to one single act of burning, or as a
result of simultaneous burnings, or committed on several | on or different occasions.
 Any building of public or private ownership, devoted to the public in general or where
people usually gather or congregate for a definite purpose such as, but not limited to
official governmental function or business, private transaction, commerce, trade
workshop, meetings and conferences, or merely incidental to a definite purpose such as
but not limited to hotels, motels, transient dwellings, public conveyance or stops or
terminals, regardless of whether the offender had knowledge that there are persons in said
building or edifice at the time it is set on fire and regardless also of whether the building
is actually inhabited or not.
 Any train or locomotive, ship or vessel, airship or airplane devoted to transportation or
conveyance, or for public use, entertainment or leisure.
 Any building, factory, warehouse installation appurtenances thereto, which are devoted to
the service to public utilities.
 Any building the burning of which is for the purpose of concealing or destroying
evidence of another violation of law, or for the purpose of concealing bankruptcy or
defrauding creditors or to collect from insurance.
 Irrespective application of the above enumerated qualifying circumstances, the penalty of
reclusion to death shall |likewise be imposed when the arson is perpetrated or committed
by two or more persons or by group of persons, regardless of whether their purpose is
merely to burn or destroy the building or the building merely constitutes an overt act in
the commission or another violation of law.
The penalty of Reclusion Perpetua to Death shall also be imposed upon any person who
shall burn:
 any arsenal, shipyard, storehouse or military power or firework factory, ordinance,
storehouse, archives or general museum of the government.
 in an inhabited place, any storehouse or factory of inflammable or explosives materials.
 If the consequence of the commission of any of the acts penalized under this Article,
death results, the mandatory penalty of death shall be imposed (sec. 10. RA 7659).

What is the basis of criminal liability in arson?

 Kind and character of the building burned
 Location of the building
 Extent or value of the damage
 Whether inhabited or not.

What are other forms of arson?

Other forms of arson refer to those enumerated under Article 320 of the Revised Penal Code,
as amended like the following:
 Setting fires to any building, farmhouse, warehouse, hut, shelter, or vessel in port,
knowing it to be occupied at the time by one or more person.
  Building burned is a public building and value of damage exceeds six thousand pesos
(P6000.O0).
 Building burned is a public building and purpose is to destroy evidence kept therein
to be used in instituting prosecution for punishment of violators of law, irrespective
of the amount of damage.
 Building burned is a public building and purpose is to destroy evidence kept therein
to be used in legislative, judicial or administrative proceeding, irrespective of the
damage, if the evidence is to be used against defendant of any crime punishable
under existing law.

WEEK 14

Arson of Property of Small Value (Art. 323, RPC)

Burning of any uninhabited hut, storehouse, barn, shed, or any circumstances clearly
excluding all danger of the fire spreading, value of the property not exceed 25.00 pesos.

Crimes Involving Destruction (Art 324, RPC)

The offender causes destruction by any of the following means:
 Explosion, discharge of electric current, inundation, sinking or stranding of a vessel ,
taking up the rails from a railway track , malicious changing of railway signals for the
safety of moving trains, destroying telegraph wires and telegraph post or those
communication system, by using any other agency or means of destruction as effective e
as the above.
 Burning one's own property as a means to commit arson (Read Case of U.S vs.
Budiao, 4 Phil, 5021 (Article 325, RPC)
Article 326, RPC -Setting Fire to Property Exclusively owned by the Offender

This act is punished if the purpose of the offender is to:

 Defraud or cause damage to another or
 Damaged is actually caused upon another's property even if such purpose is absent or
 Thing burned is a building in an inhabited place.

Presidential Decree No. 1613 – Amending the Law on Arson

Special Aggravating Circumstance in Arson
 If committed with intent to gain:
 If committed with the benefit of another:
 If the offender is motivated by spite or hatred towards the owner or occupant of the
property burned.
 If committed by a syndicate e (3 or more persons).

Prima Facie Evidence of Arson

 If the fire started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or establishment.
 If substantial amounts of flammable substance or materials are stored within the building
not necessary in the business of the offender or for house hold use.
 If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or combustible Substances or
materials soaked therewith or containers thereof, or any mechanical., electrical, chemical,
or electronic contrivance designed to start a fire, a fire, or ashes or traces of any of the
foregoing are found in the ruins of the burned building or property.
  If the building or property is insured for substantially more than its actual value at the
time of the issuance of the policy.
 If during the lifetime of the corresponding fire insurance policy more than two fires have
occurred in the same or other premises owned or under the control of the offender and/or
insured.
 If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the effects insured and stored in a
building or property had been withdrawn from the premises except in the ordinary course
of business.
 If a demand for money or other valuable consideration was made before the fire in
exchange for the desistance of the offender or the safety of the person or property of the
victim.

What Constitutes Arson?

 Burning – to Constitute burning, pyrolysis must take place. In other words, there must be
burning or changing, i.e. the fiber of the wood must be destroyed, its identity changed.
 Willfulness – means intentional, and implies that the act was done purposely and
intentionally.
 Malice- it denotes hatred or a desire for revenge.
 Motive – is the moving cause that induces the commission of the crime.
 Intent - is the purpose or design with which the act is done and involves the will.

Methods of Proof in Arson

Physical evidences in arson are often destroyed. To prove arson was committed, Corpus
Delicti must be shown and identify of the arsonist must be established. Corpus Delicti (body of
the crime) Is the fact of that crime was committed. The following must show it:
 Burning – that there was fire that may be shown by direct testimony of complaint,
firemen responding to the crime, other eyewitnesses. Burned parts of the building may
also indicate location.
 Criminal Design - must show that it was willfully and intentionally done. The presence
of incendiary devices, flammables such as gasoline and kerosene may indicate that the
fire is not accidental.
 Evidence of Intent - When valuables were removed from the building before the fire, ill-
feeling between the accused and the and the occupants of the building burned, absence of
effort to put off fire and such other indications.

What are basic lines of inquiry in Arson Investigation?

The arson investigator must have to inquire on the following a) point of origin of fire b) motives
of arsonist c) prime suspects d) the telltale signs of arson.

Point of origin of fire

Initially, the important point to be established is the point of origin of fire. In other words,
at what particular place in the building the fire started? This may be established by an
examination of the witness, by an inspection of the debris at the fire scene and by studying the
fingerprint t of fire. The fingerprint of fire occurs during the free burning stage of the fire when
pyrolytic decomposition moves upward on the walls leaving a burnt pattern.

Witnesses must be questioned as to:

 His identity
 What attracted his attention.
 Time of observation
 His position in relation to the fire at the time of observation
 Exact location of the blaze
 Size and intensity
 Rapidity of spread
  Color of flame and odor if he is in a position
 Any other person in the vicinity beside the witness

Note fire setting mechanism:

 Matches
 Candles
 electrical system
 mechanical means
 chemical methods

Motive of Arsonist
To understand the motives of arsonist, the arson investigator have to note the following
that fires are set by:

Persons with Motives

 Those with desire to defraud the Insure
 Employees or such other person who have a grievance (Fire revenge)
 Those with desire to conceal evidence of a crime
 Those who set fire for purposes of intimidation

People without motives

 Those who are mentally ill
 Pathological fire-setters
 Pyros and the Psychos

WEEK 15

Motives of Arsonist
 Economic Gain
 Insurance fraud – benefiting
 Desire to dispose merchandise - lost of market value being out of season, lack of raw
materials, over supply of merchandise can be a big reason for arson.
 Existing business transaction that the arsonist would like to avoid such as impending
liquidation, settlement of estate, need for cash, prospective business failure, and increase
rentals.
 Profit by the Perpetrator other than the assured like insurance agents wishing business
with the assured, business competitors planning to drive others, person seeking job as
personnel protection, salvagers and contractors wishing to contact another building
 Concealment of Crime - When the purpose of hiding a crime or committing a crime,
arson was used as means.
 Punitive Measure - Committing arson to inflict injury to another due to hatred, jealousy
and revenge.
 Intimidation or Economic Disabling – Arsonist as saboteurs, strikers and racketeers to
intimidate management or employer.
 Pyromania - A pyromaniac having the uncontrollable impulse to burn anything without
any motivation. They do not run away from the fire scene since they love watching fire
burning.

Types of Pyromania
 Abnormal Youth - epileptics, imbeciles and morons
 Hero Type - a person set a building on fire and pretends to discover it, turn on the alarm
or make some rescue works to appear as "hero"
 Drug addicts and alcoholics
 Sexual deviates and perverts.

Prime Suspects (and the Prima Facie Evidences)

 The development of prime Suspects - this involves identification results from the full
development of leads, clues and traces, the testimony particularly eyewitnesses and the
development of expert testimony, The following technique may serve the investigation:

Search of the fire scene for physical evidence:

 Protection of the scene
 Mechanics of search
 Collection and preservation of evidences
 Laboratory aids
 Background study of policyholders, occupants of premises, owner of building or other
person having major interest in the fire.
 Interviews and interrogations of persons who discovered the fire, and the one who turned
the first alarm, firemen, and eyewitnesses.
 Surveillance

4. The Tell Tale Signs of Arson

These signs maybe obvious that the first fireman at the scene will suspect arson or they
may be so well concealed that most of patient investigation to show that it is set off will be
required.
 Burned Building- the type of the building may indicate a set fire under certain
circumstance. A fire of considerable size at the time the first apparatus arrive at the Scene
is suspicious if it is a modern Concrete or semi-concrete building.
 Separate fires - when two or more separate fire breaks out within a building. The fire is
certainly suspicious,
 Color of Smoke -Some fire burn with little smoke but they are exception. The
observation of the smoke must be made at the start of the fire since once the fire has
assumed major proportion, the value of the smoke is lost. because the smoke will not
indicate the material used by the arsonist.
 When white smoke appears before the water from the fire hose comes in contact
with the fire, it indicates humid material burning.
 Biting smoke, irritating the nose and throat and causing lacrymation and coughing
indicates presence of chlorine.
 Black smoke indicates lack of air if accompanied by large flames it indicates
petroleum products and rubber.
 Reddish-brown nitrocellulose, S1, H2, S04, HNO3, or HCI.
 Meaning of color of Smoke and Fire:
 Black smoke with deep red flame - petroleum products, tar, rubber, plastics, etc.
 Heavy brown with bright red flame-nitrogen products
 White smoke with bright flame - magnesium products
 Black smoke blue green with red and flame – asphalt
 Purple-violet flame – potassium products
 Greenish-yellow flame – Chloride Manganese products
 Bright reddish yellow flame - -Calcium products

 Color of flame – The color of the flame is a good indication of the intensity of the fire,
an important factor in determining incendiarism
 Amount of Heat - A reddish glow indicates heat of 5000 degrees centigrade, a real bright
read about 100 degrees centigrade. Red flames indicate of petroleum. Blue flame
indicates use of alcohol as accelerant.
 Smoke Marks - An experience investigation will determine the volume of smoke
involved at a fire and the character as residue deposited on walls or elsewhere. Smoke in
marks have often been of assistance in determining the possibility of a fire having more
than one place of origin.
 Size of Fire -This is important when correlated with the type of alarm, the time received
and the time of arrival of the first fire apparatus. Fires make what might be termed a
normal progress. Such progress can be estimated after an examination of the material
burned the building and the normal ventilation offered of the fire. The time element and
 the degree of headway by the flames become important factors to determine factors to
determine possible incendiarism.
 Direction of Travel - While it is admitted that no two fires burn in identical fashion, yet t
it can be shown that fire makes normal progress through various types of building
materials, combustibility of contents, channel of ventilation and circumstances
surrounding the sending of alarm, an experienced investigator can determine whether a
fire spread abnormally fast.
 Intensity -The degree of heat given off by a fire and the color of its flame oftentimes
indicate that some accelerant has been added to the material normally present in a
building and the investigator must look for further evidence pointing to use of such
accelerant. Difficulty in extinguishing the fire is often a lead to suspect presence of such
fluid as gasoline and kerosene.
 Odor -The odor of gasoline, alcohol, kerosene and other inflammable liquids which are
often used as accelerant is characteristics and oftentimes arsonist are trapped because of
this telltale sign. Most of fire - setters are inclined to use substance which will make the
blaze certain and at the same time burn up any evidence of their crime.
 Condition of Content – persons tending to set their house on fire frequently remove
objects value either materially or sentimentally. Store and other business establishments
oftentimes remove a major portion of their content or replace valuable merchandise
without of style articles.

WEEK 16

The Fire Origin

One of the first things to look for is the origin of the fire. Usually, accidental fires have
only one origin; sometimes an arson fire will have several origins. That is, there will be two or
more fires. Normally, a fire burns outward laterally in all directions, the heat generated moves
up, and fires seldom burns down. Ventilation will also affects the burning pattern; but without
unusual Ventilation, fires burn equally in all directions except down. It may be necessary to go to
several spots and back to the most damaged areas; here the lines crosses probably will be the
origin of the fire.
Explosions also feed in all directions; the heat effect intense. The point of explosion is
usually easier to determine than the point of origin of other accelerants. Unless the investigator
has a special training in this type investigation, it probably would be to his advantage to call it a
specialist.
The Alligator Pattern – the alligator pattern (checking of charred wood giving it the appearance
of alligator skin) caused by the fire often can be used to 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
where and deeper at points where flammable liquids were used.

Information from people – many investigators have found that information from people help
them know what to look in the scene. The good investigator knows how to how 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, 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. Most people just do not
like to talk about arson fire. In general, they must be questioned as to the following.
 His identity
 His business in the arson of the fire.
 What attracted his attention to it?
 Time of observation and exact location of the blaze.
 His position in relation to the fire at time of observation.
 Size of intensity, rapidity of spread, and direct travel of flame.
  Color of fame, and odor if he is in a position to observe these.
 Other pertinent information.

METHODS OF ESTABLISHING ARSON

The usual methods involve examination of the fire scene although some of the most
common methods used are burn indicators, which are the effect on materials of heating or partial
burning and nay be used to determine the point or points of origin of a fire. Fire accelerates the
development of fire and to increase the amount of devastation. If either multiple point of origin
or traces of fire accelerants are found arson is indicated.
Occasionally, detection of arson during a fire is done through a team of arson
investigators in the form of surveillance of the fire scene: suspicious behavior of spectators, an
overzealous offer of assistance by a spectator, or someone constantly driving over fire hoses
grounds for suspecting arson. Behavior of owners, present as to their actions, excitements,
dresses, and other pertinent information, occupants, and other persons are observed, which might
be helpful later.
Arson is often used to conceal another crime. Documents and records that found
purposely exposed during a fire should be given particular attention, including doors, windows,
and ventilators that are open and provide cross-drafts. Locked and obstructed entrances or
passageways to impede the speedy transit of firemen and equipments.

GATHERING, PRESERVING, AND ANALYZING EVIDENCES

The arsonist expects the fire to destroy all of the evidence, and sometimes it does destroy
most of it. However, the investigator who digs hard enough many times comes up with evidence
where seemingly none exist. The cause of the fire should be investigated shortly after the fire is
extinguished, otherwise, very little can be done afterwards be-map-up and salvage operation.
This is a crucial stage in the detection and investigation of arson because cases rely is recognized
and preserved at this point.

Finding and Preserving Evidence

As in all other should investigations, only one person should pick up, mark and package
all evidence, and special care should be taken to maintain the chain of custody.
There are some special problems in arson investigation due to the types of accelerants
that may have been used. Accelerants used often are those of petroleum products such as
gasoline, kerosene, mineral spirits, or anything containing volatile flammable liquid.
Hydrocarbons of these products may be found under the debris of the fire, at or near the point of
the origin. These fluids, when originally spread, flow outward and downward, hence evidence of
these may be found in cracks in the floor or in dirt under the fire. Just because the fire damage is
extensive or there is no odor present does not mean these types of accelerants were not used.
The crime lab in most cases would be needed to prove which type of accelerant was used.
Wood flooring rugs are the most common substrates, followed by furniture and upholstery.
These materials are where the crime lab separates accelerant residues. Sections of the floors, the
debris or some dirt under the fire must be stored in glass or metal containers and sealed, to be of
value to the crime lab. Fumed from the accelerants or hydrocarbons would escape from plastic or
open containers,
The predominant type of container used to preserve physical evidence from arson.
Scenes are the unused metal paint can. These containers are vapor-tight and unbreakable. Plastic
bags, while convenient and inexpensive, are easily punctured, are chemically attacked by some
types of evidence, and allow the loss of some volatile evidence by diffusing through the bag.

Time Delay Devices

Delayed action is achieved in setting incendiary fires by the used of certain mechanical,
electrical chemical devices. They usually involve matches, candles, electric heating elements,
batteries and clock mechanisms coupled with flammable liquids, or chemicals that will
spontaneously ignite after a short delay. If none of these devices are found, the evidence which
should be the various containers for them. The arsonist uses this delayed type of devices to
establish an alibi.
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.

Burn Indicator
Burn indicators are the effects on materials of heating or partial burning, which are used
to indicate various aspects of fire such as flammable liquids, and points of origin. Interpretation
of burn indicators is principal means of determining the cause of fire. Although burn indicators
are widely used to establish the causes of fires, they have received little scientific testing. Some
of the burn indicators used are the following:

 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.
 Crazing of glass: formation of irregular cracks in glass due to rapid, intense heat, while
small, possible fire accelerant.
 Depth of char: depth of burning wood - used to determine length of burn and thereby
locate the point of origin of the fire.
 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.
 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 fire originating inside the
cushions (as from a cigarette) rolling between the cushions) or an external fire intensified
by a fire accelerant.
 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.
 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 evidence as conformation and the
influence of the fire wind.”

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. The sensitivity of
the human nose to gasoline vapor appears to be on the order of one part per ten million. So that,
the nose is not sensitive.

Other Types of Accelerant

Explosive types of accelerant usually leave little or no residue, but there maybe some
types of containers or parts of containers available; metal parts such as pieces of pipe, wire,
batteries, and parts of alarm clock. Evidence of forced entry, evidence of arson to cover up other
crimes and evidence of footprints or tire tracks
(outside) should be carefully gathered and reserved. Do not take for granted that fingerprints will
be destroyed by the fire. Soot from the fire maybe perfect preservatives of fingerprints.

WEEK 17

TECHNICAL METHODS IN ARSON INVESTIGATION

The detection, recovery, and analysis of fire accelerants are major concern to arson
investigators, the presence of flammable liquids can be used to establish that arson was
committed and can sometimes be used to link a suspect of fire. Although; objection is sometimes
be raised that identifiable amounts of liquid fire accelerants rarely survive a fire so that any effort
or fund expanded for their detection would be largely wasted. While there is not sufficient
scientific investigation of this subject, the day-to-day experience of arson investigation, is that
accelerant residue are often found.

Chemical Color Test Detectors - Chemical color test maybe used to detect both liquid
accelerant residues and their vapors.
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.
Flame Ionization Detector - 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.
Gas Chromatograph - The portable gas chromatograph adapted for field use, is sometimes
called the arson chromatograph.
Infrared Spectrophotometer - Infrared spectrophotometers can achieve very high specificity to
flammable liquids and high sensitivity of about hundredths of part per million.
Ultraviolet Fluorescence - The operational procedure consists simply of illuminating the
darkened fire scene with ultraviolet lamp. Certain substances, including constituents of gasoline
and its residue, absorbs the ultraviolet light and release the energy as visible light.
Recovery of Fire Accelerant Residue - Accelerant residues must first be separated from the
ashes, wood, carpeting, or other material in which they are found before they can be analyzed.
Identification of Prime Suspect - The final basic line of inquiry is the identification of the fire
setters and his accomplices if any.

Difficulties in Investigating Arson Cases

Many fires receive only a per functionary investigation, while many others are not
investigated at all. This is true both in the case of the initial investigation of the cause in the case
of the subsequent criminal investigation when incendiarism is known or suspected. This situation
causes the numbers of fires classified as incendiary or suspicious to significantly underestimate
the true level of arson and helps to cause the low arson arrest and conviction, The reasons for the
low rate of investigation of fires fall mainly into two categories.

1. Physical nature of the fire other type scene. No other type of crime scene except bombings
is characterized by as much destruction and disorder as arson. Investigators must search through
piles of debris and rubbles, often on their hands and knees.

2. Administrative Problems
Historically, the attitude of police has often been that arson is a fire problem and that
responsibility for arson lies completely within the fire service. Arson, however, is a crime, and
firefighters are not trained to investigate criminal matters. As discussed in the previous section,
the conditions typical of fire scenes make arson investigation unpleasant and unrewarding.

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 delicti (body of the
crime) of the arson case. Since arson is committed surreptitiously, witnesses are rare. Arson must
therefore usually establish using circumstantial evidence including physical evidence, such as
fire accelerant residues or multiple points or origin of the fire, which is difficult to find.