Kirk's Fire Investigation

by De Haan, John D.

• ISBN13: 9780131719224
• ISBN10: 013171922X
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-08-09
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

Since this book was first written, fire investigation has evolved, as has the knowledge essential for investigators to know. Today's investigators are being held to a higher standard of professional practice than ever before. This best-selling text, written by a forensic scientist with extensive experience in all phases of fire and explosion investigation, details all the "need-to-know" skills, and offers correlation to both the NFPA 921 and 1033 guidelines. Topics are presented in a logical order from simple chemistry and physics to scene analysis to complex case analysis. Special topics such as lab analysis, fire deaths, and explosions are also included.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xvii
Acknowledgments	p. xix
Introduction	p. 1
The Fire Problem	p. 1
The Detection of Incendiary Fires	p. 3
Analytical Fire Investigation	p. 5
The Scientific Method	p. 7
The Elementary Chemistry of Combustion	p. 11
Atoms, Elements, and Compounds	p. 11
The Oxidation Reaction	p. 12
Carbon Compounds	p. 13
Other Elements	p. 14
Organic Compounds	p. 14
Hydrocarbons	p. 14
Petroleum Products	p. 17
Carbohydrates	p. 18
Pyrolysis of Organics	p. 19
Conclusion	p. 19
State of the Fuel	p. 20
Summary	p. 21
The Nature and Behavior of Fire	p. 23
Basic Combustion	p. 23
Flaming Fire	p. 24
Structure of Flames	p. 26
Smoldering Fire	p. 27
Explosive Combustion	p. 32
Heat	p. 33
Heat and the Rate of Reaction	p. 33
Heat and Temperature	p. 34
Heat Release Rate	p. 35
Heat Transfer and Heat Flux	p. 35
Direct Flame Impingement	p. 41
Flame Plume	p. 42
Sequence of a Room Fire	p. 45
Beginning or Incipient Stage	p. 46
Free-Burning Stage	p. 46
Post-flashover Stage	p. 53
Decay Stage	p. 54
Flow of Hot Gases	p. 55
Effects of Environmental Conditions	p. 58
Temperature	p. 58
Humidity	p. 59
Wetness of Fuel (Fuel Moisture Content)	p. 60
Wind	p. 61
Oxygen Content	p. 61
Summary	p. 62
Combustion Properties of Liquid and Gaseous Fuels	p. 65
Types of Fuel	p. 65
Gases	p. 65
Liquids and Their Vapors	p. 66
Solids	p. 66
Physical Properties of Fuels	p. 66
Vapor Pressure	p. 66
Flammability (Explosive) Limits	p. 67
Flash Point	p. 73
Flame Point/Fire Point	p. 75
Ignition Temperature	p. 75
Ignition Energy	p. 76
Boiling Points	p. 77
Vapor Density	p. 78
Heat of Combustion	p. 83
Hydrocarbon Fuels	p. 85
Nonhydrocarbon Liquid Fuels	p. 87
Combustion of Liquid Fuels	p. 88
Pyrolysis and Decomposition of Liquids	p. 90
Fuel Gas Sources	p. 91
Gas Lines	p. 91
Natural Gas	p. 91
LP Gas	p. 95
Summary	p. 99
Combustion Properties of Solid Fuels	p. 102
Pyrolysis	p. 102
Combustion Properties of Wood	p. 105
Components of Wood	p. 105
Ignition and Combustion of Wood	p. 105
"Low Temperature" Ignition	p. 109
Wood Products	p. 116
Paper	p. 119
Plastics	p. 121
Paint	p. 133
Metals	p. 134
Coal	p. 135
Dust Explosions	p. 136
Fire Behavior	p. 136
Flame Color	p. 136
Smoke Production	p. 138
Summary	p. 139
Sources of Ignition	p. 143
Primary Ignitors	p. 144
Matches	p. 144
Lighters	p. 146
Torches	p. 147
Candles	p. 147
Secondary Sources	p. 148
Sparks/Arcs	p. 148
Hot Objects/Hot Surfaces	p. 149
Friction	p. 151
Radiant Heat	p. 152
Chemical Reaction	p. 153
The Role of Services and Appliances in Starting Fires	p. 154
Gas Appliances as Ignition Sources	p. 154
Electric Appliances	p. 161
Kerosene Heaters	p. 161
Oil Storage	p. 162
Electricity	p. 162
The Role of Hot and Burning Fragments in Kindling Fires	p. 162
Wind-Blown Sparks	p. 162
Fireplaces and Chimneys	p. 163
Long-Term Heating "Low-Temperature" Ignition	p. 165
Trash Burners and Bonfires	p. 168
Hot Coals	p. 169
Hot Metals	p. 169
Mechanical Sparks	p. 170
Firearms Residues	p. 171
Smoking as a Fire Origin	p. 172
The Role of Animals in Igniting Fires	p. 176
Miscellaneous Sources of Ignition	p. 178
Lightning	p. 178
Spontaneous Combustion (Self-Heating)	p. 181
Ignition by Electric Lighting	p. 188
Ignition from Discarded Batteries	p. 190
Summary	p. 191
Structure Fires and Their Investigation	p. 197
Beginning the Investigation	p. 198
Investigative Information During Suppression	p. 200
Responsibility of the Firefighters	p. 201
Minimizing Post-Fire Damage	p. 203
Documentation	p. 204
Elements of Building Construction	p. 205
Structural Shell	p. 206
Fire-Resistance Ratings	p. 208
Internal Structure	p. 209
General Principles of Fire Behavior	p. 218
Reconstructing the Starting Conditions	p. 218
Fire Patterns	p. 220
Tracing the Course of the Fire	p. 220
Implications	p. 222
Examination of a Structure Fire Scene	p. 222
Survey and Assessment	p. 222
Interviews with Firefighters	p. 223
Interviews with Witnesses	p. 224
Search Patterns	p. 225
Fire Behavior Indicators	p. 228
Other Investigative Considerations	p. 276
Testing of Hands	p. 282
Testing of Clothing	p. 282
Protected Areas	p. 282
Elimination of Ignition Sources	p. 287
Detection Systems	p. 288
Arc Mapping	p. 289
Appliance Condition	p. 289
Interior Fires from Exterior Sources	p. 290
Roof and Attic Fires	p. 290
Myths and Misconceptions	p. 291
Documenting the Fire Scene	p. 293
Photography	p. 293
Sketching	p. 297
Collection of Evidence	p. 299
Debris Containing Suspected Volatiles	p. 301
Other Solid Evidence	p. 302
Liquids	p. 303
Chain of Evidence	p. 303
Time Lines	p. 305
Conclusions About the Fire	p. 305
Summary	p. 306
Grass and Wildland Fires and Their Investigation	p. 312
Fuels	p. 313
Fire Behavior	p. 314
Determination of Origin	p. 316
Investigation Methodology	p. 316
First Evaluation	p. 317
Other Sources of Information	p. 317
The Scene Search	p. 317
Burn Indicators	p. 319
Documentation	p. 326
Sources of Ignition	p. 327
Power Lines	p. 328
Lightning	p. 328
Burning or Hot Fragments	p. 329
Campfires	p. 329
Cigarettes	p. 330
Incendiary Fires	p. 330
Modeling	p. 335
Collection and Preservation of Physical Evidence	p. 335
Summary	p. 336
Automobile, Motor Vehicle, and Ship Fires	p. 340
Automobiles and Motor Vehicles	p. 340
Fuel Systems	p. 340
Electrical Systems	p. 345
Miscellaneous Causes	p. 347
Combustible Materials	p. 350
Vehicle Arson	p. 351
Vehicle Examination	p. 351
Motorhomes and Recreational Vehicles	p. 362
Mobile Homes (Manufactured Housing)	p. 365
Boats and Ships	p. 368
Motives for Vehicle Arson	p. 369
Summary	p. 370
Electrical Causes of Fire	p. 373
Basic Electricity	p. 374
Static Electricity	p. 374
Current Electricity	p. 375
Direct and Alternating Current (DC and AC)	p. 378
Electrical Units	p. 378
Electrical Calculations	p. 379
Wiring Systems	p. 383
Conductors and Insulators	p. 383
Current-Carrying Capability (Ampacity)	p. 385
Protection-Overcurrent and Short Circuit	p. 386
Fuses	p. 387
Breakers	p. 388
Solid-State Protectors	p. 389
Overcurrent Devices and Fire Investigation	p. 389
Ground Fault Interrupters	p. 390
Service Entrance	p. 392
Ignition by Electrical Means	p. 393
Conduction Heating	p. 393
Overheating by Excessive Current	p. 394
Overheating by Poor Connection	p. 394
Insulation Breakdown (Degradation)-Carbon Tracking	p. 397
Arcs and Sparks	p. 402
Aluminum Wiring	p. 404
Electric Motors and Transformers	p. 405
Fixed Heaters	p. 408
Appliances	p. 408
Extension Cords	p. 411
Heat Tapes	p. 411
Investigation of Electricity-Related Fires	p. 411
Post-fire Indicators	p. 413
Mapping of Arc Faults	p. 413
Arcing Through Char	p. 418
Laboratory Examination	p. 420
Summary	p. 427
Clothing and Fabric Fires	p. 431
Types of Cloth	p. 431
Natural Fibers	p. 432
Synthetic Fibers	p. 432
Fire Hazards	p. 434
Regulation on Flammable Fabrics	p. 435
Flammability of Mattresses and Upholstered Furniture	p. 435
Furniture Testing	p. 437
Flammability Testing	p. 440
General Observations	p. 443
Summary	p. 444
Explosions and Explosive Combustion	p. 447
Explosive Combustion	p. 448
Diffuse-Phase Explosions	p. 450
Gases	p. 450
Vapors	p. 460
Dust Suspensions	p. 465
Ignition	p. 466
Dense-Phase Explosions	p. 467
Chemical and Physical Properties	p. 468
Explosive Types	p. 470
High Order/Low Order	p. 473
Investigation of Explosions	p. 474
The Scene Search	p. 474
Mechanical Explosions	p. 478
Speed and Force of Reaction	p. 480
Explosion Debris	p. 483
Scene Examination	p. 489
Evidence Recovery	p. 491
Laboratory Analysis	p. 491
Incident Analysis	p. 493
Summary	p. 494
Chemical Fires and Hazardous Materials	p. 498
Gases	p. 499
Hydrocarbons	p. 500
Others	p. 500
Liquids	p. 501
Solvents	p. 501
Others	p. 504
Solids	p. 504
Incendiary Mixtures	p. 504
Oxidizing Salts	p. 506
Reactive Metals	p. 506
Clandestine Drug Laboratories	p. 507
Marijuana Cultivation	p. 512
Warnings	p. 512
Summary	p. 514
Laboratory Services	p. 516
Availability of Laboratory Services	p. 516
Fire Testing Laboratories	p. 517
General Fire Evidence	p. 518
Identification of Charred or Burned Materials	p. 518
Burned Documents	p. 519
Failure Analysis-Forensic Engineers	p. 521
Evaluation of Appliances and Wiring	p. 521
Miscellaneous Laboratory Tests	p. 522
Spoliation	p. 527
Identification of Volatile Accelerants	p. 527
Gas Chromatography	p. 528
Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)	p. 530
Sample Handling and Isolation of Volatile Residues	p. 532
Identification of Volatile Residues	p. 536
Interpretation of GC Results	p. 542
Chemical Incendiaries	p. 545
Non-Fire-Related Criminal Evidence	p. 547
Fingerprints	p. 547
Blood	p. 553
Impression Evidence	p. 554
Physical Matches	p. 556
Trace Evidence	p. 558
Summary	p. 559
Fire-Related Deaths and Injuries	p. 565
The Team Effort	p. 565
Pathological and Toxicological Examination	p. 570
Destruction of the Body	p. 573
Effects of Fire	p. 578
Other Pathological Findings	p. 582
Carbon Monoxide Asphyxiation	p. 584
Sources of Carbon Monoxide	p. 589
Investigation of Carbon Monoxide Asphyxiations	p. 592
Other Toxic Gases	p. 593
Other Mechanism	p. 594
Injuries	p. 595
Manner of Death	p. 599
Summary	p. 599
Arson as a Crime	p. 605
The Crime of Arson	p. 606
Motive	p. 607
Profit	p. 607
Vandalism	p. 610
Excitement and Thrill Seeking	p. 610
Revenge, Retaliation, or Spite	p. 611
Concealment of Another Crime	p. 613
Extremism (Social Protest and Terrorism)	p. 614
Juvenile Fire Setting ("Curiosity" or "Fire Play" Fire Setting)	p. 615
Mixed Motives	p. 616
Irrational Fire Setting	p. 616
The Arson Set	p. 617
Arranging the Fire-Location	p. 618
Fuels	p. 619
Ignitable Liquids	p. 620
Type of Accelerant	p. 625
Method of Initiation	p. 626
Deductions from the Interpretation of Evidence	p. 632
Criminal Analysis or Profiling	p. 632
Analytical Reasoning	p. 632
Elimination of Accidental and Natural Causes	p. 633
Summary	p. 634
Other Investigative Topics	p. 638
Safety	p. 638
Fire Modeling	p. 641
What Should We Ask About Any Model We Use?	p. 642
Assessment	p. 643
Testing Complex Computer Models	p. 646
Arson Law	p. 648
Elements of Proof	p. 648
Direct and Circumstantial Evidence	p. 649
Search and Seizure	p. 650
Search and Seizure Court Decisions	p. 652
Sources of Information	p. 655
Spoliation	p. 657
Chain of Evidence	p. 660
Report Writing	p. 661
Summary	p. 662
The Scene	p. 662
The Investigation	p. 662
Conclusions	p. 662
Courtroom Testimony	p. 663
The Expert Witness	p. 663
Scientific Method	p. 667
Pretrial Preparation	p. 670
Testimony	p. 670
Epilogue	p. 673
Summary	p. 675
Natural Elements	p. 680
Nomenclature	p. 683
Melting Points and Thermal Conductivities of Common Materials	p. 686
The Evidence Collection Kit	p. 687
The Model Arson Law	p. 689
Sketching Fire Scenes	p. 690
List of Explosive Materials, 2004	p. 700
Field Interview and Incident Report Forms	p. 708
Log Sheets	p. 726
Data for Fire Modeling and Reconstruction	p. 730
Critical Incident Radiant Heat Fluxes for Some Common Fuels	p. 732
Sample Task Force Agreement	p. 734
Web Sites	p. 738
Conversions of Units	p. 741
Suggested Reading List	p. 743
Glossary	p. 747
Index	p. 753
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