CDI - 6

“Fire Behavior and Arson

Investigation”

PREPARED BY: GERALD L.CENIZA, Rcrim. On – going MSCJ

• Fire behavior
• The manner in which fuel ignites, flame
develops, and fire spreads.
• Arson Investigation
• Deals with the knowledge and study that
guide the students in proving same of the
aspects, the cause and the point of origin of
the fire.
Theory of combustion:
Fire Triangle Theory
namely: Oxygen, Heat,
and Fuel.
The three ways to
extinguish fire:
1. Remove the fuel
2. Cut-off the oxygen
supply
3. Reduce the
temperature (cooling)
Elements of fire:
1. Heat – a form of energy generated by
the transmission of the same other form of
energy as in combustion or burning.
Heat sources:
1. Open flame 4. Hot surfaces
2 .Electrical circuit 5. Friction
3. Sparks 6. All sources of ignition
 2. Oxygen – a colorless, odorless gas and one of
the compositions of air which is approximately
21% by volume.
Oxygen sources: Oxygen
requirements:
1. 21% of normal 1. 12% no fire
oxygen
2. 78% of nitrogen 2. 14% flashpoint

3. 1% of other gases 3. 21% fire point

3. Fuel – any substance which reacts chemically
with oxygen and produces flame.
Fuel sources:
1. Solid – molecules are closely packed together.
2. Liquid – molecules are loosely packed.
3. Gas – molecules are free to move.
Common types of gases:
1. Natural gases 4. Hydrogen
2. Propane 5. Acetylene
3. Butane 6. Carbon monoxide and others
Common types of liquids:
1. Gasoline 6. Paint
2. Kerosene 7. Varnish
3. Turpentine 8. Lacquer
4. Alcohol 9. Olive oil
5. Cod liver oil
Fire Tetrahedron Theory
Elements:
1. Oxygen (oxidizing agent)
2. Fuel (reducing agent)
3. Heat
4. Self-sustaining chemical reaction.
Oxygen (oxidizing agent) – are those materials
that yield oxygen or other oxidizing gases during
the process of a chemical reaction.
 oxygen in air is the PRIMARY OXIDIZING
AGENT
Fuel– It is the material or substance being
burned in the combustion process.
In scientific terms, it is called REDUCING AGENT
Heat (temperature) – It is the energy
component of the fire tetrahedron. When heat
comes in contact with a fuel, the energy
• 4. Self – Sustaining chemical reaction – it is the
continuous reaction of chemicals which
produces FREE RADICALS causing the
production and propagation of fire
Types of Energy: (common sources of heat)
1. Chemical Energy – It is the most common
sources of heat in combustion reaction. When
any combustibles is in contact with oxygen
oxidation occurs. The reaction of this process
results in the production of heat.
Ex. Heat generated from a burning match, self-
heating (spontaneous heating)
2. Electrical Energy – can generate
temperatures high enough to ignite any
combustible materials near the heating area.
Factors evolving Electrical (Energy) heating:
*current flow through a resistance
*over current or overload
*arcing
*sparking
*static
*lightning
3. Nuclear Energy – Nuclear heat energy is
generated when atom either split apart (fission)
Or combine (fusion)
Ex. A. Fission heats water to derive steam
turbines and produce electricity.
B. The solar energy is a product of a fusion
reaction (a form of nuclear energy)
4. Mechanical Energy – an energy created by
friction and compression.
* Heat of friction – is the movements of two
surfaces against each other, this movement
produced sparks being generated.
* Heat of compression – heat is generated when
a gas is compressed in a container or cylinder.
Combustion
Self sustaining chemical reaction
A form of fire
An exothermic reaction
Four categories of products of combustion:
1. Fire gases – are those that remain when other products of
combustion cool to normal temperature.
The fire gases that form depend on the chemical composition of the
fuel, the percent of oxygen present, and the temperature of the fire.
Types of poisonous gases:
1. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) –
 organic material containing sulfur, such as: rubber, hair, wood,
meal, and hides.
 COLORLESS – SMELLS ROTTEN EGGS
2. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) –
involving nitrogen containing materials such as wool, silk, urethane,
polyamides, and acrylics.
Smells bitter almonds
3. Hydrogen chloride (HCL) – a gas which can be fatal after only a few
breaths is produced in fires involving chloride containing plastic.
Flame defined:
It is the luminous body of burning gas which gets hotter and
less luminous when mixed with more oxygen.
Types of flame:
According to color and completeness of combustions.
1. Luminous flame – a reddish orange in color it is a product
of incomplete combustion: it has lower temperature.
2. Non-luminous flame – bluish in color it is a product of
complete combustion; it has a higher temperature than
luminous flame.
According to burning fuel and air mixture:
1. Premixed flame – Ex. Bunsen burner
2. Diffusion flame – Ex. Flame of the oxyacetylene torch.
NATURE OF FIRE
It is not the flammable materials that burns but it is
the vapor given off by the material that burns.

Pyrolysis – It refers to the chemical process whereby

fire consumes the most solid part of the fuel. It is
the decomposition of a solid fuel through the action
of heat.
Smoke defined:
-It is the visible product of incomplete
combustion, usually a mixture of oxygen,
nitrogen , carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide,
finely divided particles of soot , and carbon, and
miscellaneous assortment of product released
from the burning materials.
PHASES OF BURNING/ 3 STAGES OF FIRE
Factors to be considered in determining phases of burning.
1. The amount of time the fire has burned.
2. The ventilation characteristics of the confining structure.
3. The amount and type of combustible present.
Figure 10. Incipient phase.
• 3 PROGRESSIVE STAGES
• 1. Incipient/Beginning phase – it is the initial stage
of fire.
• Characteristics:
• Normal room temperature
• Oxygen plentiful
• 2. Free – burning phase – the second phase of
burning in which materials or structures are burning
in the presence of adequate oxygen.
• Characteristics:
• a. Fire has involved more fuel d. Temperature
exceeds 1,300 F (705 C)
• b. Oxygen supply is depleted e. Area is fully
• involved.
• c. Heat accumulates at upper area
• 3. Smoldering phase – the final phase of burning
wherein flame ceases but dense smoke and heat
completely fill confined room.\
• Characteristics:
• a. Flame may die and leave only glowing members
or super heated fuel under pressure with little
oxygen.
• b. Intense heat will vaporize lighter fuel
components such as hydrogen and methane,
increasing the hazards.
• c. Temperature throughout the building is very high
and normal breathing is not possible.
• d. Oxygen deficiency may cause back draft
• Back draft

• Firefighters operating a fires in building must use

precautionary measures when opening a building to gain
entry, by providing ventilation either by horizontal/cross
ventilation (opening doors or windows) or vertical
ventilation (opening a holes at the highest portion of the
affected part of the building.
• Back draft
• Condition that indicate the danger for back draft.
• a. Pressurized smoke exiting small openings
• b. Black smoke becoming dense gray yellow
• c. Confinement and excessive heat.
• d. Little or no visible flame
• e. Smoke leaving the building in puffs or at intervals
• f. Smoke stained windows.
• Four classes of fire
• 1. Class A – materials involving vegetable fibers,
woods, paper, straw, grain and grass; combustible
minerals such as coal and coke.
• 2. Class B – materials including petroleum products
such as gasoline, fuel oils, lubricating oils, and
greases, etc.
• 3. Class C – this type of materials involves electrical
motors, electrical appliances and apparatus.
• 4. Class D – these are materials involving
combustible metals, alloys, or metal compounds
either in a solid, semi solid or liquid state.
• 5. Class K – materials involved in the kitchen fires.
• Spontaneous heating
 Condition that builds up temperature high enough
to cause ignition
• Propagation of fire
• the spread of fire
• Types of heat transmission:
• 1. Conduction – It is the transmission of heat
through conductor. ex: wire and wall
• 2. Radiation – the transmission through the
discharge and spread of heat from a heated or
burning source.
• 3. Convection – the transmission of heat by moving
currents of liquid or gas.
• 4. Flame contact – heat may be conducted from one
body to another by direct flame contact.
• Intensity of fire – It simply means “how hot the fire
is burning”
• Ex. A gasoline fire burns hotter than a wood fire,
while an acetylene flame is hotter than a gasoline
flame.
• Factors to determine the intensity of fire:
• 1. Type of fuel
• 2. Percentage of oxygen present
• Explosive limits
• It means the amount (expressed in percent) of
fuel vapor that can be mixed with air to form and
explosive of flammable mixture.
• Magnitude of fire
• Means the size of a fire and it is governed by the
surface area of fuel exposed to the air.
FIRE SUPPRESSION, CONTROL AND
EXTINGUISHMENT, AND
EXTINGUISH AGENTS
• Fire suppression – means slowing down the rate of
burning, while control means keeping the fire from
spreading or holding the fire to one area.
• Extinguishment – is putting the fire completely out.
• 4 METHODS OF FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT and how it
works:
• 1. Cooling – the cooling process uses an
extinguishing agent whose primary characteristics is
heat absorption.
• Water is the best cooling agent.
• 2. Smothering – excludes the oxygen from the fuel
so that the gases or vapors of the fuel cannot ignite
and continue the combustion. CO2 and AFFF are
used for this purpose.
• 3. Separation – the removal of the fuel as in the
example of turning off the valve in a gas line
prevents the fuel and oxygen from coming together.
• 4. Chemical chain reaction – is known as inhibition
or the interruption of chemical reaction.
• Extinguishing Agents:
• The effectiveness of an extinguisher or an a
particular fire depends on the amount and type of
agent in the extinguisher.
• Extinguishing agents must be used to put a certain
class of fire by one or more methods:
• 1. Removing oxygen
• 2. Removing the fuel
• 3. Removing the heat
• 4. Interrupting the chemical chain reaction.
• The most common extinguishing methods used:
• 1. Water – used only on class A fire. It is the most
effective in cooling the burning material below its
ignition temperature.
• 2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – a member of its
properties make Co2 a desirable extinguisher.
• By smothering or by excluding oxygen
• 3. Dry Chemical – the dry chemical extinguishing
agents in use today are of powders and additives
that improve the storage, flow and water repellency
of the powders.
• By inhibition or interruption of chain reaction
 4. Dry Powders – is generally term for agents used to
extinguish combustible metal fires.
 Used in class D only
 by Excluding the air
• 5. AFF – Aqueous Film Forming Foam
 Used in class b fires
 Has sealing effect
• 6. Halons (Halogenated Agents) – work chemically
to extinguish fire. They stop combustion process by
breaking the fire chain reaction and prevent further
fire propagation.
• FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
• It is a mechanical device usually made of metal,
containing chemicals, fluids, or gases for stopping fires.
• Classes of fire extinguisher:
• Portable Fire Extinguisher – the greatest potential for
immediately controlling work place fire.
• Dry Chemical Extinguisher – will have gauge, may have
hose, and fine powders. It uses a compressed, non-
flammable gas as a propellant.
• Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher – no gauge, hard horn (may
be on end of hose in larger sizes) used on class B and
class C fires.
• Water Portable Fire Extinguisher – will have gauge used
for class A fire where a potential class C hazards exists.
• HAZARDOUS MATERIAL IDENTIFICATION
• Hazards classification:
• Class 1 – Explosives, class 1 is divided into four
divisions which indicate the type of hazard
expected.
• A. Class division 1.1 classes 1
• Mass detonating explosives comparable to quantity
distance (Q-D) class 7 and M designated items.
• B. Class division 1.2 – non-mass detonating,
fragment producing explosives.
• C. Class division 1.3 – it includes explosives that
present a mass fire hazard.
• D. Class division 1.4 – it includes explosives with a
moderate fire hazard, but no blast hazard.
• Class 2 – Gases, Compressed, liquefied or dissolved
under pressure.
• Class 3 – Flammable liquids
• Class 4 – Flammable solids ( paper, woods )
• Class 5 – Oxidizing substances and in organic
peroxides. ( capable of spontaneous heating )
• Class 6 – is divided into 2 divisions. Poisonous and
disease
• A. Class Division 6.1 – poisonous (toxic) gas, vapor
or substances.
• B. Class Division 6.2 – substances containing disease
– producing microorganism.
• Class 7 – Radioactive substances.( ATOMIC
SUBSTANCES )
• Class 8 – Corrosives ( ACIDS )
• Class 9 – Miscellaneous dangerous substances.
• EMERGENCY ACTION GUIDE FOR HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS
• Potential Hazards
• *Fire – cannot catch fire, may ignite combustible.
• *Explosion – container may explode due to heat of
fire.
• *Health – contact may cause burns to skin or eyes.
• *Vapors – may be fatal if inhaled.
• *Run off may pollute water supply.
•  
• Immediate Action:
• *Get help and notify local authorities.
• *If possible, wear self contained breathing
apparatus and pull protective clothing.
• *Keep upwind and estimate immediate danger
area.
• *Evacuate according to evacuation table.
• PRINCIPLE OF STRUCTURAL FIREFIGHTING
• The strategy of firefighting:
• 1. Locate the fire – locating the fire sounds like a
simple strategy.
• 2. Confine the fire – restricts its spread
• 3. Extinguishment – depends on the experience of
officers.
• 4. Exposures – it is an action by the firefighters to
cover or scene other buildings, people from
exposing themselves near the affected area or
danger fire.
• Addition to basic tactics:
• 1. Rescue – remove occupants
• 2. Overhaul – complete and detailed check
• 3. Ventilation – clearing the building of smoke
• 4. Salvage – preventing excessive damage by
removing the materials out
• Factors to be considered in extinguishment:

• Time of day:
• have direct bearing on life and fire hazards involve.
• Bearing on speed of response
• If darkness
• Weather:
• *Temperature
• *Humidity
• *Wind and precipitation
• The direction of wind
• THE FIRE
• Factors to be evaluated at the fire scene:
• A. Extent of the fire
• B. Its location in the building
• C. The type of contents involved
• D The life hazard
• E. The fire condition
• F. Type of construction
• Occupancy – determine the number of people that
occupy the building, including the materials that are
found in it.
• Ventilation – it is a method used for clearing the
building smoke and gases localize the fire, and
reduce smoke and forcible entry damage.
• Types of ventilation:
• 1. Vertical ventilation – the method to establish
vertical ventilation it must be work from the top
and down.
• 2. Cross or Horizontal ventilation – if the smoke and
gases have not reached the higher levels
• 3. Mechanical or Force ventilation – a process or
method of ventilation whereby a device such smoke
ejector is utilized to remove faster excessive heat
and dense smoke in a confined building.
• Factors to determine the location for the
opening/ventilation:
• 1. Location of the Intensity of fire
• 2. Highest point of the roof
• 3. Direction of the wind
• 4. Existing exposure
• 5. Extent of fire
• 6. Obstruction
• Steps in the procedures for ventilation:
• 1. Check the condition of the roof support to make sure that
they have been burned away or weaken to a point where
there is a possibility to collapse under your weight.
• 2. Plan away of escape from the roof in case of an
emergency, such as roof collapse.
• 3. Use any available openings that are part of the roof
construction.
• 4. Make certain passage way for the smoke and heat extends
down through to the ceiling of the room
• 5. The opening should be large enough to provide a rapid
exit for the smoke and gases.
• 6. Work with the wind at your back, keeping in mind the
heat, explosive characteristics, and toxic effects of escaping
gas.
• Advantage of ventilation
• 1. Aids rescue operation
• 2. Speeds attack and extinguishments
• 3. Reduces property damages
• 4. Reduces mushrooming
• Types of exposures:
• 1. Fire Exposures – refers to the property exposed
to the fire.
• 2. Life Exposures – refers to the danger of the lives
of the occupants of any building.
• Rescue – any action taken by the firefighters to
remove the occupants/persons from a burning
building/ building hazards to a safety place.
• Overhaul – a complete and detailed check of the
structures and materials involved in the fire to make
sure that every spark and ember has been
extinguished.
• Salvage – preventing excessive damage by fire,
smoke, and water, with the use of salvage cover or
by removing materials out from the burning
building.
• Two categories of devices in hose layout:
• A. Hose appliances – any piece of equipment used
with a fire hose for delivery water.
• B. Hose tools – used with the hose line.
• The Hose tools:
• A. Screw – down
• B. Press – down
• C. Hydraulic down
• Ladder operations:
• Ladders are very important during an emergency situation,
particularly during fire.
• Types of ladders:
• 1. Ground ladders – vary in any sizes from 13 to 17 m.
(10.55 feet) long. Carried on a pumper or firetrucks.
• 2. Aerial ladders – types of ladder that is mounted on a
turntable, capable of extending up to 30.5 m (100 feet).
• Types of ladder carry:
• 1. One-man carry – remove the ladder from the
apparatus and pass either arm through the ladder
at the middle of its length.
• 2. Two-man carry – normally extensions ladder from
24 to 36 feet in length requires at least two men.
• 3. Four-man carry – remove the ladder from
apparatus and place it on the ground with the fly
up.
• 4. Six-man carry – the same as the four men carry
• . One-man carry . Four-man carry

• Two-man carry
POST EXTINGUISHMENT PROCEDURE

• SALVAGE AND OVERHAUL OPERATIONS

• Salvage work in firefighting is preventing excessive damage caused by

fire, smoke and water.
• Two (2) ways of performing salvages:
• 1. Remove the material outside the building involved in a fire or to an
area that is not involved in the fire.
• 2. Protect the material where it stands.
• Factors involved in salvage work:
• a. The amount of salvage equipment available
• b. The personnel available
• c. The type and amount of material involved
• d. The method of storage
• Overhaul – the operation involved a complete and
detailed check of the structures and materials
involved in the fire to make sure that every spark
and ember has been extinguished and there is no
possibility of re-ignition.
• Structural stability
• before the search of hidden fires, the condition of
the building in the area to be searched should be
known. The intensity of the fire during the burning
and the amount of water used in its control are the
most important factors that affect the condition of
the building.
• BUILDING COLLAPSE
• Preserving evidence and building clean up:
• Fires of intentional origin can be cause responded
to and extinguished without anyone noticing,
reporting or investigating. Fire department
personnel must be able to recognize the evidence
that is sometimes quite pronounced during and
after immediately the fire.
• Firefighters are responsible for recognizing and
preserving evidence
• Arson is sometimes a result of careful planning and
considerable preparation and sometimes it is
committed on the spur of the moment.
• Steps in preserving the evidence:
• 1. Protecting and preserving evidence
• 2. Guarding evidence
• 3. Identifying and removing evidence.
•  
• Protecting and preserving evidence:
• 1. Keep the evidence where you found it, untouch
and undisturbed, if at all possible.
• 2. When you discover evidence that you cannot
leave at the fire scene, properly identify and
safeguard it. Make no changes of any kind of the
evidence other than what is absolutely necessary in
the extinguishment of the fire.
• 3. Photograph the evidence immediately.
Guarding evidence:
• 1. Cordon the area containing the evidence, or pile
goods and materials of various kinds around the
evidence to keep people away until the arrival of
the investigators.
• 2. Post guard to prevent tampering with the
evidence or handling it needlessly
• Building code requirements:
• 1. Intended occupancy and use
• 2. Life safety
• 3. Fixed fire protection system
• 4. Spacing of structures
• 5. Height requirements
• 6. Fire retarding features
• Miscellaneous Hazards:
• 1. Sparks
• 2. Mechanical devices
• 3. Acids and other chemical
• 4. Coal-tar derivatives
• 5. Effects of the sun
FIRE INVESTIGATION
• Fire investigation – is by nature the basis for fire
prevention program.
• As far as fire investigation is concerned, they must be
defined as:
• *Cause – that which made the fire start.
• *Reason(MOTIVE) – that which led to the cause of a fire.
• Four General Classes of fire
• 1. Natural fire – fire caused naturally without human
intervention or aid, such as lighting.
• 2. Accidental fire – fire cause where human action is
involved directly or indirectly. Careless
• 3. Arson – fire cause as a result of the willful and criminal
action of some persons.
• 4. Unknown fire – fire which are not classified as to cause.
PERSON/RESPONSIBLE TO EXAMINE AND INSPECT
THE FIRE SCENE
(American setting)
• Fire Marshall
• Fire Chief
• Assistant chief for technical service
• Fire Inspector responsible for the specific building
• Senior fire officer at the fire scene
• Photographer
• “Fire investigation and Evidence kit”
• *Special clothing such as: cover all, gloves, boots,
used to protection uniform
• *Flashlight and electrical lantern
• *Measuring tape and small ruler for making
measurements
• *Labels (gummed and stringed) used to identify
seals used for the collection of samples.
• *Envelopes, boxes, plastic bags, and metal cans
used for the collection (assorted sizes) used for the
collection samples.
• Basic steps in a Fire examination
• *Search Systematically – make a plan
• *Observe – Fire and spectators
• *Take photograph – each area several times
• *Work by the process of elimination – checklist and
check off
• *Check and verify – don’t jump at a conclusion
• *Take note
• *Draw diagrams - sketch
• Areas to conduct fire investigation
• Exterior – determine where the fire vested first by
comparing burn char, and heat patterns around
windows, doors and roof.
• Interior – conduct a cursory examination or general
survey of the entire structure of interior for the
extent of fire damage.
 Steps in Determining Point of Origin

• Examine the entire interior of the building.

• Determine the most severe damage of room
or area
• Examine the ceiling and look for patterns. Fire
penetration and heaviest fire exposure
• Examine light bulbs within the room
• Examine walls within the room
• Fire report:

• 1. Time of incident
• 2. Location of incident
• 3. Size and nature of fire
• 4. Fire involvement
• 5. Fire department plant response
• 6. Injuries and fatalities
• 7. Time fire extinguished
• 8. Most probable cause
• 9. Follow up and corrective action required.
Types of fire/Arson Investigation
• Basic Investigation:
• Purposes:
• 1. To determined what property was damage
• 2. What the causes and extent of injuries or
fatalities
• 3. The number and extent or injuries or fatalities
• 4. The recommended corrective action to prevent
recurrence
• Technical Investigation
In depth investigation to determine more specific
details of the cause and effect
• Reasons in conducting technical investigation
• 1. There are suspicions of arson in connecting with
any fire.
• 2. There are suspicions of negligence or violation of
regulation
• 3. The same cause of fire is undetermined
determine probable cause
• 4. There are evidences of negligence or
mismanagement in the fire suppression and rescue
operation.
• 5. Loss of life or disabling as a result of fire.
• Arson Investigation
• Character traits or qualified arson investigation:
• 1. He should posses’ knowledge of investigation
techniques.
• 2. He should have an insight of human behavior.
• 3. He should have a first hand knowledge of the
chemistry of fire and its behavior.
• 4. He should be resourceful.
• Photographing the Fire scene:
• The use of photographs to document such of the
evidence and to support the observation, opinions and
conclusions the investigators wish to make as to the
cause of the fire will support the investigators findings.
• 1. Show the areas in which the fire started or was
set
• 2. Help identify spectators an arsonist often remains
to watch the fire.
• 3. Provide in information about the speed of
combustion and direction of spreading
• 4. Show the progressive stages of burning and
firefighting from various angles
• 5. Help investigators determine the types of
materials burning.
• 6. Give particular attention to the most burn
charred area.
• LAWS ON ARSON
• In the Philippines, under the DILG or PNP law, the
BFP and Public safety is the main government
agency responsible for the prevention and
suppression of all destructive fires on building,
houses and other structures, forest, land
transportation vehicles and equipment, ships or
vessels docked at piers or major seaports,
petroleum industry installations, plane crashes and
other similar incidents. As well as PD 1185.
• What constitute arson?
• 1. Burning – there must be burning or changing, the
fiber or the mood must be destroyed or
decomposed, its identify or physical state change.
• 2. Willfulness – the act was done purposely and
with intention
• 3. Motive – the moving cause that induces the
commission of the crime.
• 4. Malice – it denotes hatred or desire for revenge.
• 5. Intent – the purpose or design with which the act
is done and involves the will.
• What is Corpus Delicti?
• -it is the fact of that crime was committed.
• Factor involved:
• 1. Burning – testimony of complainant, witness,
firefighter
• 2. Criminal Design- willful or intent, presence of
incendiary devices
• 3. Evidence of Intent
• Point of origin of fire: fire started
• This may be obtain or establish by an examination
of witness by the arson investigator, inspection of
the debris at the scene, and by studying the
fingerprint of fire.
• The fingerprint of the fire: occurs in free – burning
stage
• Leaving a burnt pattern
• Note fire setting mechanism:
• Matches
• Candles
• Electrical system
• Mechanical means
• Chemical methods
• Motives:
• 1. Persons with motives
• *those with desire to defraud the insurer
• *employees or such other person who has
grievance
• *those with desire to conceal evidence of crime
• *those who set fire for purposes of intimidation
• 2. Persons without motives
• *those who are mentally ill
• *pathological fire setters
• *pyros (pyromaniac)
• *psychos
• To determine motives the arson investigator must
be concentrate on the three major factors:
• 1. Point of origin
• 2. Modus operandi
• 3. Beneficiaries
• The common motives of arsonist
• 1. Economic gain
• 2. Profit by the perpetrator other than the insured
person.
• 3. Concealment of crime
• 4. Pyromania
• Abnormal youth, hero type, drug addicts and
alcoholics, and sexual deviants and perverts.
• Techniques used in investigating Arson Incidents
• *Search of the fire scene for physical evidence
• *Mechanics of search
• *Protection of the scene
• *Collection and preservation of the evidence
• *Laboratory aids
• *Background study of the persons of policy holders,
occupants of the premises owner of the building or
other person having major interest in the fire.
• *Interview and interrogation of person who alarm,
fireman and eye witness
• *surveillance
• Tell Tale Signs:
• 1. Burned building
• 2. Separate fires
• 3. Color of smoke
• 4. Smoke marks
• 5. Color of flame
• 6. Size of fire
• 7. Intensity
• 8. Odor
• 9. Condition of content
• 10. Direction of travel
• 11. Doors and Windows
• 12. Other suspicions circumstances.
•  
•  
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•
THE END

• “ Believe in yourself because what you believe becomes reality”

• PREPARED BY: GERALD THE GREAT