The same scientific approach and attention to detail is applied
to every type of crime scene. However, a fire scene has a few
different obstacles to overcome for the investigator, which
differs from other crime scenes. The scene has been heavily
contaminated by firefighters extinguishing the blaze. This makes
any preservation of the scene next to impossible. For the
arrival of the fire investigator, it is not always immediately
known if the fire was intentionally set or if it was an
accident. Where did the fire originate? How did the fire start?
Was the cause of the fire an accident or was it intentionally
set? Arson is the willful and malicious burning of property.
43,412 arson crimes were reported in 2011 and 8,627 were cleared
or solved. Nationwide, there were 18.2 arson offenses for every
100,000 inhabitants in 2011. There are five basic but important
steps to process evidence at a fire scene. Here is a quick
overview: 1. Prepare a Solid Plan of Approach At the fire crime
scene, it is determined by the in