Arson

1
Chapter 18
2
(No Transcript)
3
Arson
4
Arson and
5
Arson and Bombing
6
Arson and Bombing Investigations
7
Menu
Crime of Arson Investigating Arson Criminal
Bombing Scenario- Up In Smoke
8
The Crime Of Arson

• One of the most frightening crimes

9
The Crime Of Arson

• One of the most frightening crimes
• Involves destruction of property and lives

10
Legal Elements of Arson
Covers the willful burning of all kinds of

• Buildings and Structures

11
Legal Elements of Arson
Covers the willful burning of all kinds of

• Crops, forests and farm equipment

12
Legal Elements of Arson
Covers the willful burning of all kinds of

• Crops, forests and farm equipment

13
Legal Elements of Arson
Covers the willful burning of all kinds of

• Boats, cars and other vehicles

Q 1
14
Arson
Malicious and intentional or fraudulent burning
of buildings or property
Q 18
15
Arson
Malicious and intentional or fraudulent burning
of buildings or property
Q 22
16
Aggravated Arson
Malicious, intentional burning of buildings or
property
17
Aggravated Arson
Malicious, intentional burning of buildings or
property
18
Aggravated Arson
Knowingly creating an imminent danger to human
life or a risk of great bodily harm to others
Q 3
19
Simple Arson
Malicious, intentional burning of buildings or
property without creating an imminent risk or
threat to human life
Q 17
20
Attempted Arson
Demonstrated intent to set a fire coupled with an
overt act to actually set the fire
21
Attempted Arson
Demonstrated intent to set a fire coupled with an
overt act to actually set the fire
22
Attempted Arson
Demonstrated intent to set a fire coupled with an
overt act to actually set the fire
Q 16
23
Motive for Arson
Motives for committing arson can be divided into
two broad categories
A
Q 20
24
Motive for Arson
A

• Rational
• Irrational

rson
Q 4
25
Rational Motives
Include goals such as revenge or profit
26
Irrational Motives
Motives related to uncontrollable urges or
various mental disorders
27
(No Transcript)
28
Menu
Crime of Arson Investigating Arson Criminal
Bombing Scenario- Up In Smoke
29
Investigating Arson
Once a fire is extinguished
Determine when and where fire started
Graphic
Q 5, 6, 23
30
(No Transcript)
31
Investigating Arson
If fire starting devices or accelerant and fire
boosters are found, fire may be classified
as suspicious
Q 21, 29
32
Accelerant
A booster such as gasoline, kerosene or paint
thinner added to a fire to speed its progress
33
Accelerant
A booster such as gasoline, kerosene or paint
thinner added to a fire to speed its progress
34
Incendiary Fire
A fire in which a fire-setting device and
igniter, or an accelerant is found
35
Incendiary Fire
A fire in which a fire-setting device and
igniter, or an accelerant is found
36
Fire Triangle

• 3 Basic Elements

37
Fire Triangle

• 3 Basic Elements

oxygen
38
Fire Triangle

• 3 Basic Elements

fuel
oxygen
39
Fire Triangle

• 3 Basic Elements

fuel
oxygen
heat
Graphic
Q 8
40
(No Transcript)
41
Direct Ignition

• Setting a fire by directly applying a flame

42
Direct Ignition

• Setting a fire by directly applying a flame

43
Direct Ignition

• Setting a fire by directly applying a flame

44
Delayed Ignition

• Setting a fire indirectly by means of
  mechanical, chemical or other timing devices

45
Delayed Ignition

• Setting a fire indirectly by means of
  mechanical, chemical or other timing devices

Q 19
46
Burn Patterns

• Show the effect of burns or partial burns
  during a fire

47
Burn Patterns

• Assist in determining the point of origin of
  the fire, spread of the flames

48
Burn Patterns

• V Patterns
• Depth of Charring
• Smoke
• Alligatoring

Q 9
49
Burn Patterns

• Crazing
• Pour or Spill
• Spalling

50
V Patterns

• When a fire is unobstructed and has an upward
  draft, flames fan upward...

51
V Patterns

• Creating a V or cone shaped burn pattern

52
Alligatoring

• A scalelike burn pattern on wood

Q 25
53
Alligatoring

• Large scales indicate rapid, intense heat

54
Alligatoring

• Small flat scales indicate low intensity heat
  over a long period of time

55
Pour or Spill

• Pattern caused by pouring some kind of liquid
  accelerant

56
Pour or Spill

• on a floor surface and igniting it

57
Pour or Spill

• on a floor surface and igniting it

58
Pour or Spill

• on a floor surface and igniting it

Graphic
59
(No Transcript)
60
Depth Of Charring

• Dark blackening of burned wood

Indicates

• Intensity of heat
• Duration of fire
• Point of origin

Q 26
61
Crazing

• Irregular cracks and lines in glass and ceramic
  materials

62
Crazing

• caused by rapid, intense heat

Q 28
63
Spalling

• Chipping, crumbling or flaking of cement or
  masonry caused by rapid,intense heat

Q 11
64
Smoke

• Can assist in determining the initial cause of
  fire

65
Smoke

• Color of smoke indicates materials used to start
  the blaze

66
Smoke

• Black - Use of Petroleum

67
Smoke
White - Use of vegetation, straw or dried leaves
68
Arson Indicators

• Traces of accelerant found at the point of
  origin - a primary source of physical evidence of
  an arson fire

69
Arson Indicators

• Multiple points of origin
• Speed and spread of fire

70
Arson Indicators

• Alarm tampering
• Odors

71
Arson Indicators

• Holes in the wall or floor
• Intensity of heat

72
Multiple Points of Origin

• Several fires are set in widely separated areas
  to insure better combustion and more complete
  destruction

73
Multiple Points of Origin

• Several fires are set in widely separated areas
  to insure better combustion and more complete
  destruction

74
Multiple Points of Origin

• Several fires are set in widely separated areas
  to insure better combustion and more complete
  destruction

75
Odors

Q 24
76
Odors

• Gasoline, the most common accelerant
• Kerosene, paint thinner and other flammable
  liquids- distinct odors

77
Speed and Spread of Fire

• Fires that spread quickly and engulf major
  portions of a building or structure may be
  suspicious

Q 10
78
Speed and Spread of Fire

• Fires that spread quickly and engulf major
  portions of a building or structure may be
  suspicious

79
Speed and Spread of Fire

• Fires that spread quickly and engulf major
  portions of a building or structure may be
  suspicious

80
Speed and Spread of Fire

• Fires that spread quickly and engulf major
  portions of a building or structure may be
  suspicious

81
Holes in the Wall or Floor

• Arsonists sometimes chop holes in walls or
  flooring to improve the draft for the fire

Q 27
82
Alarm Tampering

• Destroyed or disabled alarms or sprinkler
  systems may indicate a suspicious fire

83
Alarm Tampering

• Destroyed or disabled alarms or sprinkler
  systems may indicate a suspicious fire

84
Alarm Tampering

• Destroyed or disabled alarms or sprinkler
  systems may indicate a suspicious fire

85
Alarm Tampering

• Destroyed or disabled alarms or sprinkler
  systems may indicate a suspicious fire

86
Trailer

• A material (rope or rags soaked in accelerant)
  shredded paper, gunpowder, fluid accelerant, etc.

87
Intensity of Heat

• Intensity of heat indicates that flammable
  liquids or compounds were added to the burning
  materials

88
Intensity of Heat

• Intensity of heat indicates that flammable
  liquids or compounds were added to the burning
  materials

89
Cooperation of ArsonInvestigators

• Different agencies, joint jurisdictions
  investigate fires

Q 2
90
Cooperation of ArsonInvestigators

• Special units from fire and police departments

91
Cooperation of ArsonInvestigators

• Special units from fire and police departments

92
Cooperation of ArsonInvestigators

• Special units from fire and police departments

Q 7
93
(No Transcript)
94
Menu
Crime of Arson Investigating Arson Criminal
Bombing Scenario- Up In Smoke
95
Criminal Bombing

• Anarchists
• Racists
• Militants
• Religious Zealots

96
Criminal Bombing

• Criminals
• Hate Mongers
• The Mentally Impaired

97
Bombing

• An incident involving an explosive device
  constructed with criminal intent and using

98
Bombing

• An incident involving an explosive device
  constructed with criminal intent and using

99
Bombing

100
Bombing

• High Explosives
• Low Explosives
• Blasting Agents

101
Explosives
Explosive -

any material that produces a rapid, violent
reaction when subjected to heat, shock or a
strong blow
102
Explosives
Four Types

• Primary Explosives
• Low Explosives
• High Explosives
• Blasting Agents

103
Primary Explosives

Extremely sensitive to heat
104
Primary Explosives

A spark of static electricity can cause explosions
105
Primary Explosives

Used as detonators to set off other explosives
106
High Explosives
Rate of change to a gas is very rapid

107
High Explosives
Rate of change to a gas is very rapid

108
High Explosives
Explodes on shock of a blasting cap, detonating
cord or electric detonator

109
High Explosives
Examples

• Nitroglycerin
• TNT
• Plastic explosives

110
High Explosives
Examples

• Nitroglycerin
• TNT
• Plastic explosives

Q 12
111
Low Explosives

Rate of change to a gas is quite slow
112
Low Explosives

Rate of change to a gas is quite slow
113
Low Explosives

Rate of change to a gas is quite slow
114
Low Explosives

Rate of change to a gas is quite slow
115
Low Explosives

• Black powder
• Smokeless powder
• Fertilizers

Examples

116
Low Explosives

• Black powder
• Smokeless powder
• Fertilizers

Examples

117
Blasting Agents
Safest and least expensive

118
Blasting Agents
Used in industry to shatter rock in excavating
and mining

119
Blasting Agents
Examples

• Dynamite
• Mixtures of ammonium and fuel

120
Explosive Accessories

• Blasting Caps
• Detonating Caps
• Safety fuses
• Electric Squibs

121
Types of Bombs

• Pipe Bombs
• Letter and Package Bombs
• Fire Bombs
• Booby Trap Bombs

122
Pipe Bombs

Most common type of bomb police encounter
123
Pipe Bombs

Loaded with black powder or smokeless powder,
and...
Graphic
124
(No Transcript)
125
Pipe Bombs

Fragments which act as shrapnel

• Metal
• Glass
• Nails

126
Fire Bombs
Designed to induce burning

Example Molotov Cocktail
127
Fire Bombs
A bottle filled with flammable liquid (usually
gasoline)

128
Fire Bombs
A bottle filled with flammable liquid (usually
gasoline) A saturated fuse is inserted into the
bottle

129
Fire Bombs

The fuse is ignited and the bottle thrown
130
Letter and Package Bombs

131
Letter and Package Bombs

• Can be sent from distant locations
• Little or no warning to the victims

Q 30
132
Letter and Package Bombs

• Devices have a spring loaded device
• Detonates when opened

Q 13
133
Booby Trap Bombs

134
Booby Trap Bombs

• Used by criminals
• Explosion warns criminal of intruders
• Used to destroy evidence

135
Investigating Bombing Incidents

Actions are controlled by the characteristics of
the actual or suspected bomb
Q 14
136
Searching for Bombs
Searches are conducted by two person teams

Q 15
137
Searching for Bombs

• Search carefully and systematically
• Move slowly and listen attentively
• Do not move any suspicious object

138
Disposing of an Unexploded Bomb

• Protect life and property
• Notify qualified bomb personnel
• Clear danger area of occupants

139
Disposing of an Unexploded Bomb

• Create a clear zone at least 300 feet from the
  device

140
Disposing of an Unexploded Bomb

• Create a clear zone at least 300 feet from the
  device

141
Disposing of an Unexploded Bomb

• Create a clear zone at least 300 feet from the
  device

300
142
Disposing of an Unexploded Bomb

• Who found it?
• Who observed its placement?

Collect information about the device
143
Disposing of an Unexploded Bomb

Photograph or videotape the crowd that forms to
watch
144
Disposing of an Unexploded Bomb

Photograph or videotape the crowd that forms to
watch
145
Investigating an Exploded Bomb

• Establish the nature of the bomb
• Find out the method of ignition

146
Investigating an Exploded Bomb

Obtain any evidence that may assist in the
identification of the person or persons
responsible
147

148
Menu
Crime of Arson Investigating Arson Criminal
Bombing Scenario- Up In Smoke
149
Lets Discuss
150
Up in Smoke
Fire crews had barely arrived at Toxcos metro
refinery before the entire facility was involved
in flames
151
Up in Smoke
Fire crews had barely arrived at Toxcos metro
refinery before the entire facility was involved
in flames
152
Up in Smoke
Fire crews had barely arrived at Toxcos metro
refinery before the entire facility was involved
in flames
153
Up in Smoke
Fire crews had barely arrived at Toxcos metro
refinery before the entire facility was involved
in flames
154
Up in Smoke
Refinery officials released a statement stating
that a worker threw a wrong switch
155
Up in Smoke
Refinery officials released a statement stating
that a worker threw a wrong switch
156
Up in Smoke
News reports emphasized financial difficulties at
the refinery
157
Up in Smoke
And speculated that the plant was insured for
more than it was worth
158
Up in Smoke
You are a police detective assigned to the case

• What indicators of arson would you look for at
  the scene?

159
Up in Smoke
You are a police detective assigned to the case

• What other departments could help you in the
  investigation?

160
Up in Smoke
You are a police detective assigned to the case

• Who would you interview for more information?

161
(No Transcript)