Ch. 1 Principles of Fire Investigation Flashcards
Fire, Explosion, Fire Investigation, Detecting Incendiary Fires, Resource Allocation, Scientific Method, Expert Testimony
Define fire
Rapid oxidation reaction resulting in light and heat i.e. uncontrolled combustion
Define explosion
Sudden conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy with the production and release of gas under pressure
Define fire investigation
Formal process of determining the origin, cause, and development of the fire and explosion
What 2 stipulations make fire investigation one of the hardest forensic sciences?
Distruction & distortion of evidence
Define fire investigator.
Specialist who conducts, coordinates, and completes fire investigation
What are 3 major tasks of a fire investigator?
1) Proving/disproving allegations of fire being incendiary or arson
2) Using scientific method
3) Civil or criminal litigation
How does civil litigation intertwine with fire investigation?
People may set fires to their property for the insurance payout, and charges will need to be pressed on these people
Define cause
Circumstances, conditions, or agencies brought about or resulting in a fire or explosion
Define origin
General location where a fire or explosion began
Define incendiary
Intentionally igniting in an area where a fire when and where there shouldn’t be fire
Give an example of an incendiary fire.
Homeless person sets fire in a trash can for warmth, and it gets out of control
Define arson
Maliciously & intentionally, or recklessly, causing fire or explosion
Define accidental fire
Fire with a proven cause not involving an intentional human act to ignite or spread fire
How do fires affect the economy?
Fires can cause economic issues with devastating trickledown/domino effect
How should you treat all fire cases?
Like a crime scene
What 3 things should you do at a fire scene?
1) Secure the scene
2) Preserve/document/collect evidence
3) Define legal aspects (i.e. jurisdiction, search warrant, etc.)
What are the 3 major ways that evidence is destroyed in fire investigation?
1) Fire
2) Fire suppression (i.e. water)
3) Firefighters (i.e. breaking through walls)
How does a case become undetermined?
If the level of certainty for the fire’s cause is only possible or suspected
How is resource allocation complicated in arson (HINT: property vs. violent crime)?
Arson is seen as a property crime, and resource allocation of property crimes is typically less than that of violent crimes
What is the result of an agency not having an arson unit?
The investigation may be impacted
What is the first step of the scientific method in fire investigation?
Recognizing the need
After recognizing the need, what is the second step of the scientific method in fire investigation?
Defining the problem
After defining the problem, what is the third step of the scientific method in fire investigation?
Collecting data
After collecting data, what is the fourth step of the scientific method in fire investigation?
Analyzing the data (inductive reasoning)
Define inductive reasoning
Reasoning that involves using specific observations to make a general conclusion
After analyzing your data, what is the fifth step of the scientific method in fire investigation?
Developing a working hypothesis
Define hypothesis
A conjecture put forward that must be consistent with facts of the case
After developing a working hypothesis, what is the sixth step of the scientific method in fire investigation?
Testing the working hypothesis (deductive reasoning)
Define deductive reasoning
Reasoning that involves narrowing down general ideas in favor of a specific conclusion
After testing the working hypothesis, what is the seventh/final step of the scientific method in fire investigation?
Selecting the final hypothesis
What privilege do experts have in a trial?
Being able to express an opinion based on established fact (i.e. having an informed opinion)
What case lead to the Daubert criteria?
Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993)
What do the Daubert criteria generally entail?
The judge is the gatekeeper to ensure expert testimony is relevant and reliable
What are the four Daubert criteria?
1) Validity of testing
2) Peer-reviewed publication
3) Error rates & professional standards
4) General acceptance by the scientific community
