NCJ Number
172078
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 21 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1997) Pages: 30-37
Date Published
1997
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes the professional responsibilities of arson investigators and the dangers of their profession.
Abstract
Arson investigators are part firefighter, part detective, and in many jurisdictions are sworn peace officers with full police powers. The motivation for arson varies for each offender: concealment of other crimes like murder, revenge, insurance fraud, and "vanity" arsons, set by an individual who stages a dramatic performance of extinguishing the blaze just as police and fire units arrive. The article describes several arson investigators, the career paths that led them to their profession and the ongoing training required to keep abreast of technological developments. In addition to hazards posed by violent suspects, the fires themselves, and bombings and explosions, arson investigators face the threat of exposure to "cold smoke," the poisonous and carcinogenic vapors left by accelerants and synthetic materials burned in a fire. Arson investigators are also called on to explain highly technical and circumstantial evidence to prosecutors and juries.