ARSON INVESTIGATION

Arson investigation starts with the fire itself and the observation of the first responders usually
the firemen.

In a fire involving arson, the fire-setter will have altered with one or more of the factors in the fire
triangle. The arsonist may increase the fuel load by introducing flammable material or by adding
accelerants such as kerosene, alcohol or gasoline which may be easily accessible. The arsonist
may increase the oxygen content of a structure by opening the windows or punching holes in
the walls and ceilings.

An arson fire necessitates the introduction of heat source that can be as simple as a match or
as complex as chemicals with very low ignition temperatures. By description a fire is considered
an arson fire when all other providential and accidental cause has been ruled out. To state that
the cause of the fire was arson and therefore deliberate, the investigator must have adequate
evidence that one of the factors in the fire triangle was tampered.

Classes of fire:

Class A – (green) In a class A fires, the fuel is comprised of normal combustible materials
such as wood, paper, fibers, draperies and trash. It requires saturation by water or water fog.

Class B – (red/maroon) In class B fires, the fuel is flammable liquid such as gasoline,
kerosene, cleaning fluids, grease and alcohol. In combating such fires, the flammable liquids
must be smothered to deprive them of oxygen, hence foam extinguishers and CO2 may be
utilized.

Class C – (blue) Class C fires are those which start with live electrical wires, equipment,
electrical appliances. It is commonly known as electrical fires. It is easily extinguished by a non-
conducting agent such as CO2 and dry chemicals.

Class D – (yellow) this type of fire are rare, and usually occurring in the manufacturing
facilities, since the combustible material are certain metals such as potassium and magnesium.
It can be extinguished by using dry powder ABC chemical, baking soda or sand.

Proof in arson cases: Since physical evidence is hard to obtain by the fact that most if not all of
the evidence is destroyed or burned the corpus delicti or the fact that a crime was committed as
well as the identity of the fire setter or arsonist must be established. Corpus delicti is established
by: Burning, Criminal design may be proved by the presence of incendiary devices to show the
fire was not accidental, and Evidence of intent

Motives of arsonists:

1. Economic gain : To profit by committing insurance fraud; Desire on the part of a businessman
to dispose merchandise; To cover up business failure; To increase rentals; or To avoid
settlements and impending liquidation.
2. Concealment of a crime is usually done to hide the corpus delicti in cases involving robbery,
homicide and murder in an attempt to mislead police investigators.

3. Punitive measures to inflict injury and damage to property even death due to revenge, hate or
jealousy.

4. Intimidation it is done by saboteurs and racketeers to coerce and threaten persons and
business establishments.

5. Economic disabling is undertaken to eliminate business rivals.

6. Pyromania refers to the uncontrollable impulse or desire of a person to burn anything without
any motivation. Such persons usually do not run away from the scene of the crime because they
love watching fires and conflagration.

Procedures in tracing the origin of fire and searching for evidence:

1st step: The conduct of careful inspection of the burned building from the outside which may
reveal any external origin of the fire through burn patterns.

2nd step: Internal survey and inspection of the burned structure from the inside to determine the
origin of the fire. At this stage the investigator has to locate the area where there is the heaviest
charring and destruction.

3rd step: Location of the point of origin of the fire by finding out where there is most severe
destruction may indicate the area of origin. The ceiling area is usually the first location to be
inspected.

4th step: Locating the inverted cone pattern where the ashes and traces under it would reveal
the kind of fuel used in the fire. Another useful indicator to the area of origin of the fire is
locations with partially melted glass or electric light bulb. The inverted cone pattern is referred to
as the fingerprint of the fire.

Basic Lines of inquiry: The questioning must be focused to determine the following: Origin of the
fire, Motive, Identification of the fire setter. And Identification of the other suspects.

In the investigation of a fire scene, the Bureau of Fire Protection operative and units has sole
jurisdiction over cases involving fire. The person who called the alarm, the residents and the
firemen who first responded to the scene are the most valuable witness who may shed light as
to the origin of the fire and its causes.

Tell tale signs of incendiary fires - The presence of any of the following in the crime scene are
an indication that the fire is neither providential nor accidental:

o Plants – refers to the preparation of materials used as fuel to start fires such as
rags, newspapers, plastic, clothing, fabrics wood shavings and other combustible
materials which is easily acquired.
 o Trailers – A device used to spread the fire throughout the structure. The most
common trailers used are fuel oil, gasoline, and paint thinner and lighter fluids.

o Accelerants – Refers to any combustible liquid which is used to speed up or

hasten the start of the fire.

Prima Facie evidence of Arson (PD 1613)

 If the fire started simultaneously in more one part of the building.

 If substantial amounts of flammable substance or materials are stored within the building
not necessary in the business of the offender.
 If gasoline, kerosene, petroleum or other flammable or combustible substances soaked
thereof or any mechanical, electrical, chemical or electronic contrivance designed to start
fire.
 If the building is insured for substantially more than its actual value at the time of the
issuance of the policy.
 If during the lifetime of the corresponding fire insurance policy more than 2 fires have
occurred in the same or other premise owned or under the control of the insured.
 If shortly before the fire, a substantial portion of the effects insured and stored in the
building had been withdrawn from the premise.
 If a demand for money or other valuable consideration was made before the fire in
exchange for the desistance of the offender or the safety of the person or property of the
victim.

LAWS on ARSON

• ARTICLE 320 (RPC)

• PD 1174
• PD 1613
• RA 9514- Fire code of the Philippines