fire relevant patterns in arson cases

It may also be important to note weather conditions, as temperature and wind conditions can affect a fire in terms of fire propagation and direction.The interior examination of the scene is then conducted, usually with the production of the layout of the scene detailing the location of items and any bodies. The technique is also able to isolate and identify mixtures of various compounds. Spalling of plaster suggests a rapid increase in temperature, though the quality of the plaster and fire-fighting efforts can distort the usefulness of this. 0000112012 00000 n

Signs of forced entry into the premises can suggest arson, displayed through broken windows, forced doors, tools found at the scene or disabled intruder alarms.Flammable liquids are commonly used by arsonists to accelerate a fire, particularly patrol, diesel, kerosene and turpentine. Flameover may occur, which is the fast horizontal spread of flames.

The colour of a flame is basically determined by the wavelength of light emitted, which varies depending on the material. 0000092612 00000 n Intense charring is indicative of a slow, smouldering fire acting as the source. The practice is similar to the examination of crime scenes in that the scene must be preserved and evidence collected and analysed, but with numerous additional difficulties and dangers.

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If the concentration falls outside of this flammability range, combustion will not generally occur. 0000009135 00000 n

0000112794 00000 n In addition to this, a control sample should also be obtained, which consists of the same material as that of the fire sample but collected from an area uncontaminated by the suspected fuel, and a negative control sample. It may be necessary to consult an expert for advice.Various problems have been encountered with upholstered furniture in fires, particularly the flammability of materials used in their manufacture and the toxicity of materials used. The following indicators were present when this pattern was excavated that helped to establish that this pattern resulted from an ignitable liquid pour and was not caused by falling, burning debris or from a flashover effect: 1.

Severns, now 42, was a handyman by trade.

0000110204 00000 n This is usually a few degrees higher than the flash point. 0000003246 00000 n

• Vandalism is the leading cause of arson. The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988 applied various fire resistance standards to upholstered furniture such as sofas, beds and armchairs.

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0000087967 00000 n trailer << /Size 408 /Info 356 0 R /Root 361 0 R /Prev 648721 /ID[<2b4bc4377799d077ae149deef4007d5f><2b4bc4377799d077ae149deef4007d5f>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 361 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 350 0 R >> endobj 406 0 obj << /S 1457 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 407 0 R >> stream By comparing the results of the burned and unburned caparison samples with those from the fire debris sample, it may be possible to determine whether or not hydrocarbon residues in the debris sample were products of pyrolysis or residue of an accelerant.

When found in unexpected places, such patterns can be erroneously identified as ignitable liquid patterns and associated with an incendiary fire cause. When collecting samples of possible accelerants, surface samples may be collected however, in some instances, charring of floors may be too severe. This allows for volatile substances, whether from bulk or trace samples, to be separated, displayed in the form of a chromatogram, and identified. In the case of an arson, this may be any weapons, explosive devices, matches, or anything else that could give them insight regarding the origins of the fire.

Thermoplastics react to heating by first liquefying, and then, when they burn as liquids, they produce irregularly shaped or circular patterns.

He notes:After Gerald Hurst's examination of the case, he also believed that the evidence, which appeared to indicate multiple origins of the fire, was caused by flashover.Dougherty's new attorneys say that studies show that jailhouse informants' testimonies are not reliable -- here is one such John Lentini re-examined the physical evidence of the case and concluded that the substance found on Souliotes' shoes likely was a natural part of the shoe itself, and was chemically different from the liquid found in the debris of the fire; therefore, they could not be of the same origin.Another expert, Randy Watson, stated that primary pieces of evidence -- burn patterns, burned holes in the floor, and charring -- were all characteristics of accidental fires.Since the trial, the translator during Rosario's five hour questioning with police has issued an affidavit stating that Rosario was delusional during his interrogation and incoherent when he signed the confession.

Flammable liquid containers may also be found at the scene. However, depending on the extent of fire damage, the seat of fire may have been destroyed, particularly if the fire has been burning for a significant length of time.The growth of the fire, whether fast or slow, and its heat can be suggested by fire damage at the scene. Inorganic substances can produce more obvious colour differences, such as copper which will cause a green flame.Heat produced by a fire can spread in one of three ways; convection, conduction and radiation.

Additional Arson-Murder Cases ... out by the prosecution was that Graf purchased two $50,000 life insurance policies for the boys two months before the fire. Radiation is the emission of heat as infrared radiation without a medium, such as a fire heating and igniting a nearby sofa.The temperature required for ignition to occur varies depending on the fuel.