Forensics: Arson

A victim who was set on fire to conceal a rape is termed a

"DNA Torch"

Photographig

1.) points of origin of the fire 2.) the progression and direction 3.) nature of the material burning 4.) potential criminal activity 5.) potential suspects

What are the three essential components of a Molotov cocktail?

Alcohol, fire and bottle

The deliberate burning of property is called

Arson

Searches

As soon as the area is safe, look for incendiary devices, accelerants, burn patterns, frayed wire, excessive power strips

An animal rights group fire bombs a store that sells hunting equipment

Extremist

The majority of arsonists are ___________ the age of 25

Below

Photos: exterior scene

Building from all angles, windows and doors, footprints and other impressions

Hank kills his elderly neighbor during an argument and burns the house with the body inside

Crime concealment

Modus operandi: organized arsonist

Elaborate incendiary devices, less physical evidence, methodical approach

Jerry sets fire to an abandoned warehouse and takes photos of the emergency response

Excitement

Offenders in this category are likely to save newspaper clippings and news video about the fire

Excitement

Jerry sets fire to an abandoned warehouse and takes photos of the emergency response

Excitment

What are two examples of an incendiary device?

Fireworks and cigarettes

The fire triangle

Fuel, heat and oxygen

What are the three components of the fire triangle?

Fuel, oxygen and heat

Arsons increase on

Halloween and fourth of july

How can an investigator determine whether a fire victim was dead before a fire was set?

If their lungs are not damaged from smoke inhalation then they died before the fire was set

Forensic findings

Incendiary devices, accelerants, sophisticated accelerants and Molotov cocktails

Arson activity tends to increase on Halloween and

Independence day

What are two examples of an accelerant?

Kerosine and alcohol

The majority of arsonists are

Male

The reason a perpetrator commits a crime is called the

Motive

What a the five classifications used to identify the cause of fire by a fire investigation?

Natural, accidental, incendiary, suspicious and unknown

Classification of fires

Natural, accidental, incendiary, unknown origin, and suspicious

Less evidence is left by the

Organized arsonist

The place where a fire starts is called the point of

Origin

Investigating the fire scene

Photography, interviews, documentation and searches

Photos: interior scene

Points of origin, direction, charring of wood, all evidence, evidence of signs of staging, positioning of victim,

Arson in this category involves the least amount of passion

Profit

The McHenry's have their summer home burned to collect insurance

Profit

If an arsonist is female, she is most likely in this category

Revenge

If an arsonist is female, she is most likely in this categoty

Revenge

Kevin burns the surgical center where a doctor botched his knee repair

Revenge

Patterns of fire- setting

Serial arsonist, spree arsonist and mass arsonist

Mass arsonist

Sets three or more fires in the same location during a limited period of time

Spree arsonist

Sets three or more separate fires at different locations with no cooling off period

Serial arsonist

Sets three or more separate fires with a cooling off period. Typically well educated, male and a loner

Interviews

Should take place ASAP, bystanders and emergency responders

Arson

The intentional and malicious burning of property

Modus operandi

The learned behavior that an individual uses to perpetrate an offense successfully

Victimology

The targeted that is the essential factor that often determines the motive

Key defining characteristics of an arson scene

Victimology, modus operandi and forensic findings

The majority of arson cases occur in

Urban areas

Modus operandi: disorganized arsonist

Uses material on hand, common accelerants, more physical evidence left behind

Ryan and tyler set fire to the chem lab at their school

Vandalism

The youngest offenders tend to be in this category

Vandalism

Motive classifications for arson

Vandalism, excitement, revenge, crime concealment, profit and extremist

The majority of arsonists are

White

The learned behavior that allows someone to successfully commit a crime is called the

modus operandi