StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Investigating arson and bombings - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
Given the extreme range of motivations that people may have for starting a fire, it is best to avoid a Type II error (a false negative) and not give some degree of investigation to a fire…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER92.9% of users find it useful
Investigating arson and bombings
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Investigating arson and bombings"

1. What are the main things to remember in the preliminary investigation of a suspected arson? A first principle for an arson investigator is to treat any fire as a potential crime. Given the extreme range of motivations that people may have for starting a fire, it is best to avoid a Type II error (a false negative) and not give some degree of investigation to a fire. Therefore, airing on the side of cautiousness, an arson investigator should be present at a fire before it is fully extinguished, on the scene, and asking questions.

The more knowledge an investigator gains at this initial step, the easier it will be to track down and examine clues later on.In a preliminary investigation, an investigator should be searching for two things once the fire has been extinguished: the point of origin and the cause of the fire. The point of origin is where the fire began; it is easier to determine the cause of the fire once the point of origin is discovered. For instance, the presence of combustible materials far away from an electrical outlet could indicate the point of origin and a candidate for the cause of the fire.

In addition, the United States Justice Department recommends that arson investigators, upon arriving to the scene, mentally note evidence at the scene, recognize threats to evidence, and protect evidence from threats.2. List and explain the various clues that flames and smoke can offer in an arson investigation.Part of the advantage of arriving on the scene of a potential arson is the identification of the color and height of smoke and flames. The intensity of the fire and the role that accelerants played in starting it can be inferred from the nature of its flames.

Depending on the temperature, flames range from red to yellow to blue to white. According to Burke (2006), normal flames tend to burn with a combination of yellow and orange; generally, hydrocarbon accelerants produce a yellow-to-deep red flame and deep red flames with dense black smoke indicates petroleum products. By arriving at the scene early enough, the arson investigator can visually observe these signs of accelerants and infer additional clues.In addition, the flame and smoke of arson cases also gives clues to the other senses, including the sense of smell.

The seasoned arson investigator should be able to recognize the scent of accelerants. Gasoline and kerosene, for instance, have noticeably different smells. The investigator should also be able to distinguish between paint thinner and lacquer, which are common accelerants used in arson cases. These various scents are given off and carried when they fuel a fire.3. What types of evidence are necessary in the successful prosecution of an arson case?Evidence comes in a number of forms. Primary evidence includes direct, material evidence of a crime establishing primarily that, beyond a reasonable doubt, arson actually occurred.

Primary evidence may also include evidence on the accused person’s body, such as a burn mark or traces of accelerant on clothing. Secondary evidence relies more on the circumstances in which the crime was committed, such as a motive to commit arson (for instance, to collect on an insurance policy) or an opportunity to commit arson (that is, a lack of an alibi). Witness testimony could be either primary (if the witness describes seeing the accused bringing accelerant onto the crime scene) or secondary (if the witness is helping to establish a motive).

Both primary and secondary are important for the successful prosecution of an arson case, but primary evidence is always first to be considered when the case is taken to trial.In certain kinds of cases (for example, cases of insurance fraud), the timing of the arrest may also destroy evidence after the crime, such as the act of filing an insurance claim (FEMA, 1988). An insurance claim, an example of primary evidence, builds upon the secondary evidence of motive and accordingly can play a huge role in making the prosecution’s case.

Therefore, the prosecution should carefully time the arrest of a suspect in order to allow the suspect to produce additional incriminating evidence after the fact.ReferencesBurke, R. (2006). Counter-Terrorism for Emergency Responders (2nd ed.). New York: CRC Press.FEMA. (1988, June). Arson prosecution: Issues and strategies. Retrieved September 20, 2011, from Federal Emergency Management Agency: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa-078.pdfNational Institute of Justice. (2009, June 1).

A guide for investigating fire and arson: Arriving at the fire and/or arson scene. Retrieved September 20, 2011, from Office of Justice Programs: http://www.nij.gov/topics/law-enforcement/investigations/crime-scene/guides/fire-arson/arrive.htm

Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Investigating arson and bombings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Investigating arson and bombings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/law/1580512-investigating-arson-and-bombings
(Investigating Arson and Bombings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Investigating Arson and Bombings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/law/1580512-investigating-arson-and-bombings.
“Investigating Arson and Bombings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/law/1580512-investigating-arson-and-bombings.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Investigating arson and bombings

Psychology in Relation to Crime

There are a number of events that happen in relation to crime which requires an adequate analysis in order to arrive at effective conclusive results regarding the investigation (Erickson, 2013).... hellip; Psychology Your name Course name Instructor's name Institution City and State of the institution Date of submission Introduction There are a number of events that happen in relation to crime which requires an adequate analysis in order to arrive at effective conclusive results regarding the investigation (Erickson, 2013)....
13 Pages (3250 words) Essay

A Touch of Evil by Orson Welles

The film that will be discussed in relation to this question is A Touch of Evil, by Orson Welles.... This film was directed in the classic period of the forties and fifties, which was heavily associated with film noir.... Orson Wells directed a film with a multitude of narrative derails that lent upon perspective and cross narrative structure to make the narrative apply to more than just the scope of the films immediate plot....
5 Pages (1250 words) Book Report/Review

Analysis of Atheism, Terrorism and Ethics in the USA

Among these attacks were 166 bombings, 120 fire bombings, and 118 shootings.... From 1980 to 1999, of total terrorist attacks of 457, there were 321 bombings, 21 assassinations and 16 arson – with domestic terrorist attacks numbering 322... So what?...
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Geographical Profiling

Originally it was applied in cases of serial murder, rape and bombings, it is now frequently being used in robbery, burglary, arson, and fraud cases as well.... This essay "Geographical Profiling" explains an investigative method used by sleuths, police, and detectives to trace the path of the crime happening in a closed environment of a town or a society....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Major Questions in Medicine

The presence of an accelerant does not necessarily mean the fire is arson.... he availability of accelerator does not essentially mean fire is arson as the questions lies in the intention.... If the availability is to cover up a crime, then it is arson.... here are four distinct areas or procedures to be followed while investigating bomb crime....
2 Pages (500 words) Assignment

Committed Precursor Crimes

On August 9, 1983, the CSA did an arson attack on The arson attack was made with the help of a gallon of gasoline, but there was no major damage done to the Church.... The Covenant, the Sword and the Arm of the Lord (CSA) started working in 1971 by establishing a compound of Christian Commune, which later on turned to a compound of white supremacists who denounced their status of Christian survivalists....
4 Pages (1000 words) Assignment

Incendiary Fire Analysis and Investigation in a Post-9/11 World

Shootings, fire bombings, suicide bombings, corporate sabotage, malware in automated computer systems, sniper attacks, envelopes with harmful biological contents, all contribute to a world increasingly dominated by fear.... arson is also the number one reason for fires in the United States and the second-leading cause of residential fires and residential fire deaths....
5 Pages (1250 words) Coursework

Four Main Approaches to Criminal Profiling: Characteristics of the Crime Scene

This technique is quite useful in the course of the investigation of violent crimes, such as sexual assault, sexual murders, arson, and so on.... The paper "Four Main Approaches to Criminal Profiling: Characteristics of the Crime Scene" focuses on the special characteristics of a criminal....
7 Pages (1750 words) Research Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us