Arson

Question 1

What is the significance of the V?

Answer 1

Normally when a fire burns, it starts at an area of origin and goes up and out, like a V. This V points to where the fire started – the point of origin. When there is an inverted V (wider at the base, narrow at the top), it shows that an accelerant was used. It is an unnatural fire progression, and shows that the fire was incendiary.

Question 2

What are the problems w/ Willingham?

Answer 2

The evidence was based on old school terminology and findings, no testing was done, and no samples were taken. The investigators concluded that the fire was incendiary, but it was probably actually accidental. The several V patterns were probably from a post flashover burn.

Question 3

What are the types of arsonists?

Answer 3

8 types: (1) pyromaniac/serial fire setter (only about 1% of arsonists); (2) vanity; (3) revenge/spite; (4) fraud; (5) juvenile; (6) crime concealment; (7) sexual; and (8) thrill seeker (combo of pyromaniac/serial, vanity, and sexual).

Question 4

What are fire’s stages?

Answer 4

(1) ignition/incipient (the triangle: fule/oxygen/heat); (2) growth (continuing combustion); (3) fully developed (free burning, out of control, may or may not have flashover); and (4) decay (everything is gone).