Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was unusual about the arson fires in Los Angeles in 1991?
What was unusual about the arson fires in Los Angeles in 1991?
What do investigators look for to identify accelerants in a fire?
What do investigators look for to identify accelerants in a fire?
What is used to dissect a flame and reveal the fuel and air mixture?
What is used to dissect a flame and reveal the fuel and air mixture?
What was unique about the fire at DNM Yardage?
What was unique about the fire at DNM Yardage?
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What was left behind by the arsonist at the DNM Yardage fire?
What was left behind by the arsonist at the DNM Yardage fire?
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What is studied by fire experts to understand how fires work?
What is studied by fire experts to understand how fires work?
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What was the main objective of the task force formed to investigate the fires?
What was the main objective of the task force formed to investigate the fires?
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According to the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, what percentage of arson fires are accounted for by serial arsonists?
According to the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, what percentage of arson fires are accounted for by serial arsonists?
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What characteristic is often found in serial arsonists according to the FBI's psychological profile?
What characteristic is often found in serial arsonists according to the FBI's psychological profile?
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How was the suspect in the case identified?
How was the suspect in the case identified?
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What was John Orr's occupation?
What was John Orr's occupation?
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What did John Orr write that provided a glimpse into his mind and motivations?
What did John Orr write that provided a glimpse into his mind and motivations?
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What was the name of John Orr's novel?
What was the name of John Orr's novel?
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What was John Orr charged with in the second trial in Los Angeles?
What was John Orr charged with in the second trial in Los Angeles?
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What was the outcome of John Orr's trial?
What was the outcome of John Orr's trial?
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How did the investigators catch John Orr?
How did the investigators catch John Orr?
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Study Notes
Arson Fires in Los Angeles
- In 1991, a series of mysterious arson fires broke out in Los Angeles, with multiple fires occurring on the same day.
- The fires were investigated by a team of experts, including veteran fire investigator John Orr, who discovered that the fires were remarkably similar and had no eyewitnesses.
Investigative Techniques
- Investigators used high-tech tools to analyze the remains of a fire, including burn patterns, accelerants, and forensic lab testing.
- They learned to spot clues, such as inverted V-shaped burn patterns, which indicate a highly accelerated fire.
- They used a lab to identify accelerants, such as gasoline, by comparing their chemical composition to known patterns.
Understanding Fire
- Fire experts, like Professor James Quintieri, study the chemistry of fire to understand how it works.
- They use a candle as a simple example of a fire, where the wax is turned into a liquid, absorbed by the wick, and fueled by the surrounding air.
- A metal screen can be used to dissect the flame, revealing the fuel and air mixture.
DNM Yardage Fire
- The fire at DNM Yardage, a fabric store, was one of the first in the series, and it burned quickly and hot.
- Investigators found no accelerants, but the point of origin was among cushions and pillows filled with plastic foam stuffing.
- The fire could have been started without an accelerant, but the arsonist made a mistake, leaving behind a time delay incendiary device.
Task Force and Investigation
- A task force was formed, with ATF and local authorities working together to investigate the fires.
- Bulletins were distributed to identify other similar fires, and 19 fires were eventually linked to the same MO.
- The locations of the fires were mapped, revealing a pattern of fires near freeways, making it easy for the arsonist to start and escape.
Motives for Arson
- The National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime identified six motives for arson:
- Vandalism
- Excitement
- Revenge
- Arson for profit
- Extremism
- Serial arson
- Serial arsonists account for 15% of all arson fires, but are some of the most destructive.
Psychological Profile
- The FBI developed a psychological profile of a serial arsonist:
- Loners
- Difficult relationships
- Spotty work history
- Physical disabilities
- Skin disorders
- Alcoholics
- The profile is similar to that of serial killers.
Breakthrough in the Case
- An ATF agent found a latent print on a device from a Kraftmart store, which was matched to a suspect using a computerized fingerprint database.
- The suspect was a firefighter who had attended an arson conference in Fresno, and had traveled to Los Angeles, setting fires along the way.
Conclusion
- The investigation was a collaboration between local and federal authorities, using high-tech tools and expertise to catch the serial arsonist.
- The case highlights the importance of understanding the motives and psychology of arsonists.### Case of John Orr: The Arsonist
- A fire occurred at a Kraftmart store in Bakersfield, California, and a latent print was found on a device at the scene
- The print was compared to those of 10 suspects, but no match was found
- Two years later, the same arsonist was suspected of burning Los Angeles, and the investigating team re-examined evidence, including fingerprints
- A new search was run, and a positive identification was made to a local law enforcement officer, John Orr
John Orr: The Arson Investigator
- Orr was a well-known and respected arson investigator from the Glendale Fire Department
- He was a rebel and impulsive, often disobeying regulations and driving recklessly
- Despite this, he was highly regarded for his ability to find the cause and origin of fires
- Orr organized seminars and lectures on fire investigation and wrote articles in the American Fire Journal
Investigation and Surveillance
- Surveillance was set up to catch Orr in the act, and a tracking device was attached to his car
- Orr was difficult to follow, and a surveillance team was needed to keep up with him
- A literary agent received a letter from Orr describing a novel about a serial arsonist, which was later obtained by investigators
The Novel: "Points of Origin"
- The novel was a fact-based work that followed the pattern of an actual arsonist
- The arsonist in the novel was a firefighter, and the story was eerily similar to the real-life case
- The novel provided a glimpse into Orr's mind and motivations
Arrest and Trial
- John Orr was arrested on December 4, 1991, and charged with arson
- A search of his home and office found materials for making fires, including binoculars, cigarettes, matches, and lighters
- Orr maintained his innocence, but was found guilty on three counts of arson in central California and sentenced to 30 years in prison
- At a second trial in Los Angeles, Orr admitted guilt as part of a plea bargain
- Orr was later charged with 26 new counts, including four counts of murder, and was also charged with the 1990 College Hills fire in Glendale, California
Arson Fires in Los Angeles
- In 1991, a series of mysterious arson fires broke out in Los Angeles, with multiple fires occurring on the same day.
- The fires were investigated by a team of experts, including veteran fire investigator John Orr.
Investigative Techniques
- Investigators used high-tech tools to analyze the remains of a fire, including burn patterns, accelerants, and forensic lab testing.
- They learned to spot clues, such as inverted V-shaped burn patterns, which indicate a highly accelerated fire.
- They used a lab to identify accelerants, such as gasoline, by comparing their chemical composition to known patterns.
Understanding Fire
- Fire experts, like Professor James Quintieri, study the chemistry of fire to understand how it works.
- They use a candle as a simple example of a fire, where the wax is turned into a liquid, absorbed by the wick, and fueled by the surrounding air.
- A metal screen can be used to dissect the flame, revealing the fuel and air mixture.
DNM Yardage Fire
- The fire at DNM Yardage, a fabric store, was one of the first in the series, and it burned quickly and hot.
- Investigators found no accelerants, but the point of origin was among cushions and pillows filled with plastic foam stuffing.
- The fire could have been started without an accelerant, but the arsonist made a mistake, leaving behind a time delay incendiary device.
Task Force and Investigation
- A task force was formed, with ATF and local authorities working together to investigate the fires.
- Bulletins were distributed to identify other similar fires, and 19 fires were eventually linked to the same MO.
- The locations of the fires were mapped, revealing a pattern of fires near freeways, making it easy for the arsonist to start and escape.
Motives for Arson
- The National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime identified six motives for arson: vandalism, excitement, revenge, arson for profit, extremism, and serial arson.
- Serial arsonists account for 15% of all arson fires, but are some of the most destructive.
Psychological Profile
- The FBI developed a psychological profile of a serial arsonist: loners, difficult relationships, spotty work history, physical disabilities, skin disorders, and alcoholics.
- The profile is similar to that of serial killers.
Breakthrough in the Case
- An ATF agent found a latent print on a device from a Kraftmart store, which was matched to a suspect using a computerized fingerprint database.
- The suspect was a firefighter who had attended an arson conference in Fresno, and had traveled to Los Angeles, setting fires along the way.
Case of John Orr: The Arsonist
- A fire occurred at a Kraftmart store in Bakersfield, California, and a latent print was found on a device at the scene.
- The print was compared to those of 10 suspects, but no match was found.
- Two years later, the same arsonist was suspected of burning Los Angeles, and the investigating team re-examined evidence, including fingerprints.
- A new search was run, and a positive identification was made to a local law enforcement officer, John Orr.
John Orr: The Arson Investigator
- Orr was a well-known and respected arson investigator from the Glendale Fire Department.
- He was a rebel and impulsive, often disobeying regulations and driving recklessly.
- Despite this, he was highly regarded for his ability to find the cause and origin of fires.
- Orr organized seminars and lectures on fire investigation and wrote articles in the American Fire Journal.
Investigation and Surveillance
- Surveillance was set up to catch Orr in the act, and a tracking device was attached to his car.
- Orr was difficult to follow, and a surveillance team was needed to keep up with him.
- A literary agent received a letter from Orr describing a novel about a serial arsonist, which was later obtained by investigators.
The Novel: "Points of Origin"
- The novel was a fact-based work that followed the pattern of an actual arsonist.
- The arsonist in the novel was a firefighter, and the story was eerily similar to the real-life case.
- The novel provided a glimpse into Orr's mind and motivations.
Arrest and Trial
- John Orr was arrested on December 4, 1991, and charged with arson.
- A search of his home and office found materials for making fires, including binoculars, cigarettes, matches, and lighters.
- Orr maintained his innocence, but was found guilty on three counts of arson in central California and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
- At a second trial in Los Angeles, Orr admitted guilt as part of a plea bargain.
- Orr was later charged with 26 new counts, including four counts of murder, and was also charged with the 1990 College Hills fire in Glendale, California.
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Description
Explore the 1991 Los Angeles arson fires and the investigative techniques used to uncover the crimes. Learn about burn patterns, accelerants, and forensic lab testing.
