Scientific protocols for fire investigation

634 Pages·2013·94.928 MB·English

by  Lentini, John J

K13531_cover 7/9/12 4:19 PM Page 1
C M Y CM MY CY CMY K
FORENSICS & CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Lentini
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Second Edition
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Scientif ic Protocols for t
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FIRE INVESTIGATION c

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Knowledge of the science behind fires is critical to understanding a fire’s cause
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and successfully presenting that determination to the authorities or in litigation. o
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Now in its second edition, Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation focuses
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on the practical application of scientific principles to determine the causes of fires. Uniquely qualified with years l
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of experience in on-site investigations, lab analyses, and courtroom presentation, the author provides a resource that
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is unparalleled in depth and focus. o
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The book explores:
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• The history of fire investigation and the basic chemistry and physics of fire
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• The science of fire dynamics—how things burn and how they interact with their surroundings while doing so

• Practical procedures for conducting fire scene inspections I
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• Laboratory examination of fire debris to test for the presence of ignitable liquid residues and for potential ignition
sources V
• Relevant scientific principles as applied to 30 actual fires E
• The evolution of the mythology of arson investigation S
• The common root causes of errors in fire investigation T
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The final chapter discusses the professional practice of fire investigation. It examines quality assurance, business G
practices, and the fundamentals of being an expert witness, with advice for giving testimony in depositions and at
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trial. Other highlights of the second edition include new and expanded discussions on novel training methods, first
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assumptions, computer fire modeling, low voltage ignition sources, the questionable validity of some origin
determinations, and recent changes in NFPA 921. I
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Thorough and accessible, this volume not only provides the practical information necessary to conduct an effective N
inquiry but also offers insight into the science, history, and theory behind what makes fire investigation a multi-
faceted profession.
K13531 Second
Edition
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Composite
Second Edition
Scientific
Protocols for
FIRE
INVESTIGATION
Protocols in Forensic Science Series
Keith Inman and Norah Rudin, Series Editors
Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation, Second Edition
by John J. Lentini
Scientific Protocols for Forensic Examination of Clothing
by Jane Moira Taupin and Chesterene Cwiklik
Principles and Practices of Criminalistics: The Profession of Forensic Science
by Keith Inman and Norah Rudin
Ethics in Forensic Science: Professional Standards for the Practice
of Criminalistics
by Peter D. Barnett
Second Edition
Scientific
Protocols for
FIRE
INV ESTIGATION
John J. Lentini
Boca Raton London New York
CRC Press is an imprint of the
Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
CRC Press
Taylor & Francis Group
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Boca Raton, FL 33487-2742
© 2013 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC
CRC Press is an imprint of Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business
No claim to original U.S. Government works
Version Date: 20120530
International Standard Book Number-13: 978-1-4398-7599-5 (eBook - PDF)
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This book is dedicated to the following citizens, for whom a second look at their fire
made all the difference:
Bruce Aslanian Thomas Lance
Nelson Brown Gerald Lewis
Jennifer and Lawrence Butcher Beverly Jean Long
Barbara Bylenga Amanda Maynard
Paul Camiolo Arturo Mesta
Donte Casson John Metcalf
Sonia Casey Joan Nellenbach
Irma Castro Pedro Oliva
Weldon Wayne Carr Shawn Porter
Maynard Clark Kimberly Post
Valerie and Scott Dahlman Kazem Pourghafari
Kenneth and Ricky Daniels Ray Price
Louis DiNicola Bryan Purdie
Harold Fowler Davey James Reedy
David Lee Gavitt Barbara Scott
Ray Girdler Charles Schutloffel
James and Lorraine Frascatore Lauren Shaw
Robert Hancock Jermaine Smith
Jean and Stephen Hanley Terry Lynn Souders
Rebecca and Stephen Haun Paul and Karen Stanley
James Hebshie Terri Strickland
Donald and Linda Herndon Jerome and Karen Vinciarelli
Terry Jackson Michael Weber
Eve and Manson Johnson Ernest Ray Willis
TThhiiss ppaaggee iinntteennttiioonnaallllyy lleefftt bbllaannkk
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xiii
Introduction xv
Author xxi
1 Fire and Science 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Argument versus Experiment 1
1.3 Fire and the Enlightenment 3
1.4 Scientific Approach to Fire Investigation 9
1.5 Modern Fire Analysis 10
1.6 NFPA 921 13
1.7 NFPA 1033 15
1.8 CFITrainer.net 16
1.9 Science, Law, and Law Enforcement 17
1.10 Conclusion 18
References 18
2 The Chemistry and Physics of Combustion 21
2.1 Fire and Energy 21
2.2 Basic Chemistry 29
2.3 States of Matter 30
2.4 The Behavior of Gases 32
2.5 Stoichiometry and Flammable Limits 42
2.6 The Behavior of Liquids 44
2.7 The Behavior of Solids 52
2.8 Conclusion 57
References 58
3 Fire Dynamics and Fire Pattern Development 59
3.1 Introduction 59
3.2 Ignition 59
3.3 Self-Heating and Spontaneous Ignition 60
3.4 Chemical Ignition 61
3.5 Smoldering Ignition 62
3.6 Flames 63
3.7 Flammability 65
3.8 Compartment Fires 76
3.9 Plume Pattern Development 82
vii
viii Table of Contents
3.10 Ventilation Pattern Development 90
3.11 Penetrations through Floors 97
3.12 Horizons, Movement, and Intensity Patterns 101
3.13 Clean Burn 101
3.14 Electrical Patterns 105
3.15 Fire Modeling 110
3.16 Conclusion 122
References 123
4 Fire Investigation Procedures 125
4.1 Introduction 125
4.2 Recognize the Need 125
4.3 Presumption of Accidental Cause: The Null Hypothesis 126
4.4 Negative Corpus Methodology 127
4.5 Planning the Investigation 130
4.6 The Initial Survey: Safety First 130
4.7 Documentation 131
4.8 Reconstruction 135
4.9 Inventory 137
4.10 Avoiding Spoliation 139
4.11 Origin Determination 142
4.12 Evidence Collection and Preservation 147
4.13 Fatal Fires 149
4.14 Hypothesis Development and Testing 150
4.15 Reporting Procedure 155
4.16 Record Keeping 157
4.17 Conclusion 162
References 162
5 Analysis of Ignitable Liquid Residues 163
5.1 Introduction 163
5.2 Evolution of Separation Techniques 165
5.3 Evolution of Analytical Techniques 169
5.4 Evolution of Standard Methods 170
5.5 Isolating the Residue 172
5.5.1 Initial Sample Evaluation 172
5.5.2 ILR Isolation Method Selection 172
5.5.3 Solvent Selection 175
5.5.4 Internal Standards 175
5.5.5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Isolation Methods 176
5.6 Analyzing the Isolated ILR 178
5.6.1 Criteria for Identification 182
5.6.1.1 Identification of Gasoline 184
5.6.1.2 Identification of Distillates 195
5.6.1.3 Identifying Other Classes of Products 203
5.6.2 Improving Sensitivity 208
Table of Contents ix
5.6.3 Estimating the Degree of Evaporation 213
5.6.4 Identity of Source 217
5.7 Reporting Procedures 219
5.8 Record Keeping 223
5.9 Quality Assurance 223
5.10 Conclusion 226
References 227
6 Evaluation of Ignition Sources 229
6.1 Introduction 229
6.2 Joint Examinations of Physical Evidence 229
6.3 Appliances and Electrical Components 230
6.3.1 Electronic Device Reliability and Failure Modes 236
6.3.1.1 The Burn-In Phase 239
6.3.1.2 The Useful Life Phase 240
6.3.1.3 The Wear-Out Phase 240
6.3.1.4 Electronic Device Failure Causes 241
6.3.1.5 Case Study—Fire Remote from Root Cause 248
6.3.1.6 Hardware versus Software 250
6.3.2 Kitchen Ranges 251
6.3.3 Coffee Makers 252
6.3.4 Deep Fat Fryers 255
6.3.5 Space Heating Appliances 256
6.3.6 Water Heaters 258
6.3.7 Clothes Dryers 263
6.3.8 Fluorescent Lights 270
6.3.9 Recessed Lights 272
6.3.10 Exhaust Fans 274
6.3.11 Service Panels 277
6.3.12 Oxygen Enrichment Devices 278
6.4 Testing of Ignition Scenarios 282
6.4.1 Spontaneous Ignition Tests 285
6.5 Following Up 293
6.6 Conclusion 294
References 294
7 Thirty Fire Scene Scenarios 297
7.1 Introduction 297
7.2 Arson 298
7.2.1 Arson Fire #1: The Fictitious Burglar 298
7.2.2 Arson Fire #2: Unexplained Accelerants 306
7.2.3 Arson Fire #3: Unpleasant Neighbors 310
7.2.4 Arson Fire #4: Accidental Causes Eliminated 318
7.3 Dryer Fires 322
7.3.1 Dryer Fire #1: Misrouted Power Cord 322
7.3.2 Dryer Fire #2: Cross-Threaded Connection 326