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Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of a fire investigator?
To detect and identify relevant chemical materials, identify igniters and reconstruct the events that led to the fire.
What is the chemical reaction that occurs when a fire is produced?
Oxidation
What are the three requirements necessary to initiate and sustain combustion?
- A fuel must be present, 2. Oxygen must be available, and 3. Heat must be applied to initiate the combustion.
What pattern do arson investigators look for to determine the point of origin of a fire?
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What are the challenges that arson investigators often face when investigating a fire scene?
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What is the process by which a fire becomes self-sustaining?
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What is the primary focus of investigators after determining the point of origin in an arson investigation?
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What are some methods used to detect the presence of accelerants at a crime scene?
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Why is it important to package specimens from a crime scene in airtight containers?
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What are some common motives for committing arson crimes?
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What is the typical classification system used to divide arson into degrees?
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What is the typical classification for burning an occupied structure such as a school?
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Study Notes
Arson Investigation
- Arson crimes often leave behind burned or charred evidence and wet conditions, making investigation complex and difficult.
- The goal of a fire investigator is to detect and identify relevant chemical materials, identify igniters, and reconstruct the events that led to the fire.
Fire and Combustion
- Fire is a product of oxidation, a chemical reaction between oxygen and another substance that produces heat and light.
- Combustion occurs when oxygen and other substances combine rapidly.
- A fire becomes a chain reaction, absorbing a portion of its own heat to generate more heat.
Requirements for Combustion
- Three requirements must be satisfied to initiate and sustain combustion:
- A fuel must be present.
- Oxygen must be available in sufficient quantity.
- Heat must be applied to initiate combustion, and sufficient heat must be generated to sustain the reaction.
Investigating Arson
- Investigators search for the point of origin (where the fire began) by looking for a V-pattern of char/soot.
- Once the point of origin is determined, investigators focus on searching for accelerants or ignition devices.
- Methods to detect accelerants include:
- Portable hydrocarbon detectors.
- Accelerant sniffing dogs.
- Identifiable pour patterns (tested for residues).
Collecting Evidence
- Specimens collected from a crime scene should be packaged immediately in airtight containers to prevent loss of residues through evaporation.
Common Reasons for Arson
- Insurance fraud.
- Crime concealment.
- Pyromania.
- Revenge.
Degrees of Arson
- First-degree arson: Burning an occupied structure, such as a school or a place where people are normally present.
- Second-degree arson: Burning an unoccupied building, such as an empty barn or an unoccupied house, to claim insurance.
- Third-degree arson: Burning an abandoned building or an abandoned area, such as a field, forest, or woods.
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