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Fire and Arson Investigation Fire Patterns associated with Ignitable Liquid Accelerants. By Bob Corry www.sceneinvestigator.com. “ One of the major objectives of a fire scene examination is the recognition, identification and analysis of fire patterns.” NFPA 921 (2004) 4.1. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Fire and Arson InvestigationFire and Arson Investigation
Fire Patterns associated Fire Patterns associated with Ignitable Liquid with Ignitable Liquid
AccelerantsAccelerants
By
Bob Corrywww.sceneinvestigator.com
“One of the major
objectivesof a fire scene examination
is the recognition,
identification and analysis of fire patterns.”
NFPA 921 (2004)4.1
Success in Success in RecognizinRecognizin
g Arson g Arson begins with begins with recognizing recognizing
possible possible Arson Fire Arson Fire PatternsPatterns
Success in Success in RecognizinRecognizin
g Arson g Arson begins with begins with recognizing recognizing
possible possible Arson Fire Arson Fire PatternsPatterns
NFPA 921 on Fire PatternsNFPA 921 on Fire PatternsNFPA 921 on Fire PatternsNFPA 921 on Fire Patterns Holes in the floor may be caused by glowing combustion, radiation
or an ignitable liquid. 6.2.3.1
There is no justification that the appearance of large, curved blisters is an exclusive indicator of an accelerated fire. 6.5.5
The presence or absence of spalling should not, in and of itself, be construed as an indicator of the presence or absence of a liquid fuel accelerant. 6.6.2.3
The collapse of springs cannot be used to indicate exposure to a specific type of heat source or ignition such as smoldering ignition or the presence of an ignitable liquid. 6.14
Inverted cone patterns have been interpreted as proof of flammable liquid fires, but any fuel source that produced flame zones that do not become vertically restricted can produce inverted cone patterns. 6.17.3.1.2
First!First!
Search forSearch for Odd VariationsOdd Variations inin Fire Fire PatternsPatterns
First!First!
Search forSearch for Odd VariationsOdd Variations inin Fire Fire PatternsPatterns
Unusual “localized”Unusual “localized” wall patternwall pattern
Unusual floor Unusual floor burn patternburn pattern
Unusual, Unusual, localizedlocalized damagedamage
to the bedto the bed
Witnesses Reported:
Odor of Gasoline!
A low pressure wave!
Furniture moved before fire!
Symptoms of Ignitable Liquid Use Symptoms of Ignitable Liquid Use ((Possible indicators of an accelerated fire)Possible indicators of an accelerated fire)
Symptoms of Ignitable Liquid Use Symptoms of Ignitable Liquid Use ((Possible indicators of an accelerated fire)Possible indicators of an accelerated fire)
Burn injuries Burn injuries
to the to the
hands, face, legshands, face, legs
or hair of a suspect/witness.or hair of a suspect/witness.
Afternoon ProgramAfternoon ProgramAfternoon ProgramAfternoon ProgramUnnatural Fire SpreadUnnatural Fire Spread
(downward, unusually fast, etc.)(downward, unusually fast, etc.)
One gallon One gallon of gasolineof gasoline
was was poured poured here!here!
““Unnatural” Fire DamageUnnatural” Fire Damage
Bright yellow/orange flames Bright yellow/orange flames accompanied by black smoke.accompanied by black smoke.
Intense localized rusting/warping, Intense localized rusting/warping, especially to the undersides of especially to the undersides of metal objects within the patternmetal objects within the pattern
Intense localized Intense localized rusting/warping, rusting/warping,
especially to the undersides of especially to the undersides of metal objects metal objects
within the patternwithin the pattern
Structural damage Structural damage inconsistent inconsistent
with fire loadingwith fire loading
Intermixed light, Intermixed light, medium & heavy medium & heavy
burn patterns burn patterns within within
the overall patternthe overall pattern
““Rainbow-colored” Rainbow-colored” sheen sheen
on the surfaceon the surface of of
suppression water suppression water over the over the
pour area.pour area.
Accelerant containers Accelerant containers in or near the scene.in or near the scene.
Increased Increased burn damage burn damage
pattern pattern at the at the
bottombottom of of boxes, boxes,
furniture furniture legs, etc.legs, etc.
Pool shaped, intermixed, Pool shaped, intermixed, mottled black and brown mottled black and brown
staining staining on concrete on concrete
together with a tendencytogether with a tendency to repel water.to repel water.
““Ghost marks” Ghost marks” between seams between seams
of floor tiles of floor tiles within the pour area.within the pour area.
Localized “clean burn”area Localized “clean burn”area on a wall or appliance on a wall or appliance
above a pattern above a pattern where intense heat where intense heat
burned away burned away soot deposits.soot deposits.
““Inverted Cone” Inverted Cone” fire patternfire pattern
Search for the Search for the soot plume!soot plume!
Key Properties of Common Ignitable Key Properties of Common Ignitable LiquidsLiquids Behave like any liquid before ignition.Behave like any liquid before ignition. Most float on water, are immiscible, rainbowMost float on water, are immiscible, rainbow Form explosive vapors at room temperaturesForm explosive vapors at room temperatures Vapors are heavier than airVapors are heavier than air Readily absorbedReadily absorbed Powerful solventsPowerful solvents Don’t spontaneously igniteDon’t spontaneously ignite Explosive Limits/Ignition TemperatureExplosive Limits/Ignition Temperature Sampling the accelerant fire patternSampling the accelerant fire pattern
Related Physical EvidenceRelated Physical EvidenceRelated Physical EvidenceRelated Physical Evidence
The Accelerant ContainerThe Accelerant Container Other instrumentalities (i.e. ignition Other instrumentalities (i.e. ignition
device)device) Changing the arrangement of Changing the arrangement of
combustibles to increase fire combustibles to increase fire loadingloading
Propping open doors & windowsPropping open doors & windows The ignition deviceThe ignition device Explosion/Deflagration?Explosion/Deflagration? Burn patterns and the burned Burn patterns and the burned
“perp”“perp”
For Specialized Training:
www.interfire.org
For Specialized Training:
www.interfire.org
Accelerant Detection K-9 Teams are Accelerant Detection K-9 Teams are very very importantimportant especially especially in large loss fires.in large loss fires.
Accelerant Detection K-9 Teams are Accelerant Detection K-9 Teams are very very importantimportant especially especially in large loss fires.in large loss fires.
A Pocket Guide toA Pocket Guide toAccelerant Evidence Collection, Accelerant Evidence Collection,
22ndnd Edition Edition
Cited as a reference in Cited as a reference in all editions of NFPA all editions of NFPA 921, Kirk’s Fire 921, Kirk’s Fire Investigation 5th Investigation 5th Edition, interFIRE VREdition, interFIRE VR
Go to www.maiaai.org for more information