NCJ Number
82979
Journal
Fire and Arson Investigator Volume: 32 Issue: 3 Dated: (January-March 1982) Pages: 3-9
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article describes a 1-day live demonstration arson investigation school arranged by the Greater Cleveland Crime Prevention Committee and held in Strongville, Ohio, during June 1981.
Abstract
The demonstration was arranged to reduce the incidence of the deliberate burning of cars in the northeast Ohio area. Attendance was limited to 80 participants. Two teams were given 1 hour to investigate and determine the cause of the fire in nine burned vehicles. Individuals were asked to determine the fire cause, whether the fire was set by the owner or by a theft ring, and whether the fire was started by a man or a woman. At the end of the hour, findings were shared and critiqued. One of the vehicles investigated was drenched with gasoline and the can was placed with the remaining fluid behind the driver's seat. A lighter in the back seat was barely damaged. From this evidence it was concluded that the fire was started by a woman, and the motive was revenge. Following the critique, two previously undamaged vehicles were burned. Each vehicle demonstrated a recreation of one of the fires that had been investigated by the group. The demonstration was highly successful, and another was planned for the future. The article includes 18 photographs.