Fireman’s responsibility in

arson detection
• The responsibility of a fireman is “arson
detection” rather than arson investigation.
• The fact that every trained fireman cannot
also be a trained investigator does not
mean that he cannot play a highly
important part in detecting many arson
cases.
• What then the firemen should do when
responding to a fire scene?
I. Observing general conditions at the
scene of the fire.
A. Upon Approaching the Fire
1. Observing the elements. The record of a
fire should include weather conditions.

2. Observe persons and automobiles –

those leaving the scene.
3. Observe color of smoke and flame.
Many times the color of smoke is a
rather reliable indication of the type of
fire to be extinguished. The same is
true, to some extent, with regard to
color of flame, substances or materials
burning are responsible for both color of
smoke and color of flame.
 The following are the meaning of color
of smoke and flames:
– Black Smoke with deep red flames. Petroleum
products, tar, rubber.
– Heavy brown smoke with bright red flame. Nitrogen
Products.
– Black Smoke with red and blue-green flames.
Asphalt shingles.
– Purple, violet. Burning of potassium.
– Greenish-yellow flames. Burning of Chlorine or
manganese
– Bright reddish-yellow flames. Burning of calcium.
B. Upon Arrival at the Fire Scene
1. Observe number of separate fires,
intensity and rapidity of spread.
– Was there more than one fire burning in
different parts of the building?
– Were doors fastened in an open position
to allow the fire to spread from one room
to another?
2. Observe odors and methods
required to extinguish flames.

Odors detected at fire are often of

value in determining what
flammable substances were
present.
II. Observing condition of building
openings at the time of a fire.
1. Find out whether doors and windows
are locked.
The first fireman in the building should
ascertain, if possible, whether he is
actually the first person to enter the
building ahead of him.
The possibility of outsiders having
gained entrance before the arrival of the
fire department is often very important.
2. Determine condition of doors,
windows and locks.
• The condition of the doors, doorjambs and
windows sills, as well as the kind of locks
is often very important items of
information.

• The presence of “jimmy” marks on jambs

might be indicative of robbery followed by
arson to cover the crime.
3. Observing owners, occupants and
bystanders at the time of a fire.
a. Observe dress and manner of persons at
the fire.
b. Look for familiar faces. The fact that
familiar faces, “repeater”, are observed
at a series of fires in any one district, in
itself, warrants a careful checking and
study of such individuals.
 III. Locating evidence of fire causes

1. Look for indications of arson intent.

a. Multiple Fires
b. Odors
- Ammonia has a very pungent odor readily
recognizable by firemen. It is generally
used by the arsonist to keep firemen out
of a building, or in an attempt to “kill” the
odor of gasoline.
c. Undue Wood Charring and
Uneven Wood Burning.

The application of petroleum

products to wood causes a deep
unnatural burning.
d. Inoperative Sprinkler, and Fire Doors.

A rather common procedure used by

arsonists in buildings equipped with sprinkler
systems is to tamper with supply valves and
to silence the alarms
2. Look for arson materials and
arson equipment.
• “plants”
• “Trailers”
• “Accelerants”
 In many incendiary fires, when fuels are intentionally
distributed or “trailed” from one area to another, the elongated
patterns may be visible. Such fire patterns, known as “TRAILERS,”
can be found along floors to connect separate fire sets, or up
stairways to move fires from one floor or level within a
structure to another. Fuels used for trailers may be ignitable
liquids, solids, or combinations of these.

Trailer running up a stairway.

IV. Protecting and preserving evidence

• Two things should be kept clearly in mind

by firemen regarding the protection and
preservation of evidence of fire causes:
– Keeping the evidence where it is, untouched
and undisturbed, if at all possible.
– Properly identifying, removing and
safeguarding such evidence as cannot be left
at the scene of the fire as it was discovered.
V. Points on protecting and preserving
evidence
• Evidence remaining at the scene of a fire
can be protected in various ways:
– Do overhauling and salvage work carefully.
– Handle evidence as little as possible.
– Place barricades, or rope off area around
evidence.
– Have photos taken by a qualified
photographer at the scene of the fire when
evidence must be removed.
VI. Observing condition of contents of a
building involved in a fire.

1. Watch for indications of removal of

personal articles.
- Jewelries; any valuable item or item
with sentimental value
2. Watch for indications of removal of
valuable merchandise.
VII. Recording and reporting
observations made at a fire
• Note taking
– To record unusual circumstances or
conditions which may be of a suspicious
nature with respect to the origin of the fire.
– Should be kept and retained for several years.
Notes that are taken immediately after a fire
may be used in court for the purpose of
refreshing the memory.
VIII. Appearing in court in an arson case.

• The fireman acting as a witness should

make every effort, to present his testimony
in all fairness to the defendant.