NCJ Number
79205
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
The Fire Marshal of Nassau County, N.Y., presents and discusses slides illustrating fire detection techniques.
Abstract
The speaker begins by addressing organizational and training arrangements regarding arson task forces. Task forces should be placed under overview of the district attorney's office, police detectives and fire investigators should work together as a team, fire investigators should be armed (in accordance with minimum State standards), and that police and fire investigators should receive training in arson investigation and weapons handling. The speaker then employs slides to illustrate how the condition of physical items at the fire scene can aid the investigator. For example, the investigator can determine the length of the fire by looking at the clock on the wall. Other physical items present on the scene, such as cigarette butts or liquor bottles, can be evidence of the cause of the fire. Slides illustrate the blistering or 'alligatoring' effect when wood is burned by a flammable liquid; the blistering can tell the investigator in which direction the fire was burning. Unusual or unnatural scenes are also depicted, such as the view of white smoke pouring from a burning house which should tell the investigator that Molotov cocktails were used. The speaker suggests that investigators interview all persons at the fire scene, including children who often prove to be valuable witnesses, and take steps to protect the point of fire origin for further investigation.