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transcript
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, Seventh Ed.© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
INTRODUCTION TO FIRE PREVENTIONSeventh Edition • James C. Robertson
Chapter 11
Fire Prevention Through Arson Suppression
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Overview
• Major part of fire problem• Discouraging arson• Role of prevention
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
The Crime
• History and background– Colonial times– 1800s– Uniqueness
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Statistics
• Uniform Crime Reports, 2006-2007– Statistics remain static over years– 69,055 arsons– 44.2 per 100,000 inhabitants– 42.3% structure arsons– 28.2% mobile properties
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Statistics
• National Fire Prevention Association– 2,781 civilian deaths due to intentionally
set fires in 2001• 2,451 due to 9/11• 330 in set-structure fires• $24 billion in property loss
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Fire investigators spend long hours digging through ruins to determine points of origin and causes. (Photo: McGill Consulting, Lamont “Monty” McGill, Gardnerville, NV)
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Model Arson Laws
• First-degree arson– Burning of building or dwelling– Willfully or maliciously sets fire to, burns, or
causes to be burned, or aids, counsels, or procures the burning of:
• Dwellings• Occupied or vacant• 1 or 2 to 20 years
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Model Arson Laws
• Second-degree arson– Burning buildings other than dwellings– Requires fire willfully or intentionally set
• 1-10 years
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Model Arson Laws
• Third-degree arson– Burning of other property
• Willfully and maliciously set fire to, burn, or cause to be burned
• Property has a value of $25 or more and is property of another
• 1-3 years
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Model Arson Laws
• Fourth-degree arson– Relates to attempts to burn– Willfully and maliciously set fire may be
chargeable even if materials only distributed
– Preliminary act of setting fires
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Arson Motives
• Fraud or profit• Revenge• Excitement• Pyromania• Conceal other crimes• Vandalism• Political reasons/extremist beliefs
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Investigation
• Establish “corpus delecti”• Motive• Responsibilities of fire department
– Cause and criminal investigation– Cause only– Third party (police, county, state)
• Joint police/fire teams
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Fire origin and cause set used by Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s, Fire Academy. (Photo: James C. Robertson)
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Insurance Fraud
• Requires insurance claim• Full inventory• Fire department and the insurance
industry
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Fire Scene Examination
• Scene security• Location of origin• Establishing possible source of ignition• Firefighter role• Others
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Fire investigators seldom have such a simple determination scenario as this. (Photo: James C. Robertson)
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
NFPA 921
• Guide for fire and explosion investigation
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Fire Investigator
• Properly trained• Identifying evidence• Examination of scene• Fatal fires
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Preservation of Evidence
• Salvage and overhaul• Site access control• Handling evidence• Spoliation• Documentation
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Media Relations
• Controlled statements• Personnel policy• Cooperation
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Civil Unrest
• History• Need to investigate• Scene security issues• Evidence
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Arson Arrest
• Success rate• Reason for success rate• Regional differences
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Juvenile Fire Setters
• Model programs• Counseling• Prevention projects• Parental awareness
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Court Decisions
• Michigan v. Tyler• Michigan v. Clifford• State of South Dakota v. Jorgensen
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Michigan v. Tyler
• Established guidelines for right of entry– To investigate cause and origin– Gather evidence should the fire be
determined incendiary• Court held original entry for suppression and
subsequent investigation permissible without a warrant
– Subsequent entries may require a warrant
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Michigan v. Clifford
• Court reaffirmed Michigan v. Tyler– Recognized the ability of investigator to
seize evidence in clear view of entry
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Problem Areas in Arson Investigation
• Identified in a joint study with the BATF– Unique characteristics impede detection,
investigation, and reporting– Lack of agency cooperation– Lack of uniformity in measuring arson
variables
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Problem Areas in Arson Investigation
• Jurisdictional and organizational problems confound investigations
• Immediate need for standardization
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Serial Arsonists
• Characteristics:– Sex– Race– Previous arrests– Suicide– Juvenile detention
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Arson Control Needs
• Sprinklers, education, smoke detectors, code enforcement
• Training• Safety and health of investigators
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Arson Control Needs
• Public awareness• Wildland arson issues• Serial arsonist control• Juvenile fire setter programs
Robertson, Introduction to Fire Prevention, 7/e© 2010 by Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ
Summary
• Impact on number of fires• Impact on severity of fires• Potential prevention effectiveness