Tell Tale signs – signs that maybe obvious to the first fireman who came at the scene will

suspect arson

1. Burned Building – The type of the building may indicate a set of fire under some circumstances.
Whether if it is a modern concrete or semi-concrete building.

2. Separate fires – When 2 or more separate fire breaks out within a building. It will be suspicious.

3. Color of smoke – Some fire burn little or no smoke but they are exception. The observation of
smoke must be made at the start of the fire since once the fire has assumed a major proportion, the
value of smoke is lost, because the smoke will not indicate the material used by the arsonist.

a) White Smoke – if it is white smoke before the water splashed the fire, it indicates humid
materials.

Ex. Burning Hay, Vegetable materials, Phosphorus that have garlic odor.

b) Biting Smoke – Irritating the nose, throat, and coughing it indicates the presence of chlorine.

c) Black Smoke – Indicates lack of air, if accompanied by large flames it indicates petroleum
products and rubber materials.

d) Reddish-brown Smoke – indicates nitrocellulose, S1, H2, S04, HN03, or HCI.

4. Meaning of color of smoke and fire

a) Black Smoke with deep Red flame – petroleum products, tar, rubber, plastics, etc.

b) Heavy brown Smoke with bright Red flame – nitrogen products

c) White Smoke with bright flame – magnesium products

d) Black Smoke with Red and Blue Green flame – asphalt

e) Purple-violet flame – potassium products

f) Greenish-yellow flame – Chloride or Manganese products

g) Bright Reddish Yellow flame – Calcium products

5. Color of Flame – The color of the flame is a good indication of the intensity of fire, it is important
factor in determining in incendiarism.

6. Amount of Heat – A reddish glow indicates heat of 5000 degrees centigrade, while a real bright
red is about 100 degrees centigrade.

7. Smoke Marks – An investigation will determine the volume of smoke involved at a fire. Smoke in
marks have often been of assistance in determining the possibility of a fire having more than one place
of origin.
8. Size of Fire – This is important when correlated with the alarm, time received, and the time of
arrival of the first fire apparatus. Fire progress can be estimated after an examination of the material
burned the building and the ventilation offered of the fire. The time element and the degree of headway
by flames is important factors in determining possible incendiarism.

9. Direction of Travel – It can be shown that fire makes normal progress through various types of
building materials, combustibility of contents, channel of ventilation, and circumstances surrounding the
alarm, an experienced investigator can determine a fire if it spread abnormally fast.

10. Intensity – The degree of heat, and the color of its flame often indicate that some accelerant has
been added to the material normally present in a building, and the investigator must look for further
evidence pointing to use of accelerant. When it is difficult to extinguish the fire, it is suspected the
presence of fluid such as gasoline and kerosene.

11. Odor – The odor of gasoline, alcohol, kerosene, and other inflammable liquids which are often
used as accelerant is characteristics and oftentimes arsonist are trapped because of this telltale sign.
Most of fire setters are using the substance that will make the blaze certain and at the same time burn
up any evidence.

12. Condition of Content – persons tending to set their house on fire sometimes remove objects of
value either materially or sentimentally. Other business establishments sometimes remove a major
portion of their content or replace valuable merchandise without of style.

1. If the file started simultaneously in more than one part of the building or establishment

2. If substantial amounts of flammable substance or material are stored within the building lot necessary
in the business of the offender or for household use.

3. If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or combustible substances or materials soaked

therewith or containers thereof, or any mechanical, electrical, chemical, or electronic contrivance
designed to start a fire, a fire or ashes or traces of any of the foregoing are found in the ruins or
premises of the burned building or property

4. If the building or property is insured for substantially more than its factual value at the time of the
issuance of the policy
5. If during lifetime of the corresponding fire insurance policy more than two fires have occured in the
same or other premises owned or under the control of the offender and/or insured

6. If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the effects insured and stored in a building or
property had been withdraw from the premises except in the ordinary course of business

7. If a demand for money or other valuable consideration was made before the fire in exchange for the
desistance of the