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