Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation, Third Edition [3rd ed] 9781138037014, 9781138037021, 9781315178097, 113803701X, 9781351712378, 1351712373

Table of contents :
Cover
Half Title
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
Abbreviations and acronyms
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Author
1: Fire and science
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Argument versus experiment
1.3 Fire and the enlightenment
1.4 The scientific approach to fire investigation
1.5 Modern fire analysis
1.6 NFPA 921
1.7 NFPA 1033
1.8 CFITrainer.net
1.9 Science, law, and law enforcement: Overcoming potential biases
1.10 Conclusion
Review questions
Questions for discussion
References
2: The chemistry and physics of combustion
2.1 Basic chemistry
2.2 Fire and energy. 2.3 States of matter2.4 The behavior of gases
2.5 Stoichiometry and flammable limits
2.6 The behavior of liquids
2.7 The behavior of solids
2.8 Conclusion
Review questions
Questions for discussion
References
3: Fire dynamics and fire pattern development
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Ignition
3.3 Self-heating and spontaneous ignition
3.4 Chemical ignition
3.5 Smoldering ignition
3.6 Flames
3.7 Flammability
3.8 Compartment fires
3.9 Plume pattern development
3.10 Ventilation-generated patterns
3.11 Penetrations through floors
3.12 Horizons, movement, and intensity patterns. 3.13 Clean burn3.14 Electrical patterns
3.15 Virtual fire patterns
3.16 Fire modeling
3.17 Conclusion
Review questions
Questions for discussion
References
4: Fire investigation procedures
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Recognize the need
4.3 The null hypothesis: Accidental cause
4.4 Negative corpus methodology
4.5 Planning the investigation
4.6 The initial survey: Safety first
4.7 Documentation
4.8 Reconstruction
4.9 Inventory
4.10 Avoiding spoliation
4.11 Origin determination
4.12 Evidence collection and preservation
4.13 Fatal fires
4.14 Hypothesis development and testing. 4.15 Reporting procedure4.16 Record keeping
4.17 Conclusion
Review questions
Questions for discussion
References
5: Analysis of ignitable liquid residues
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Evolution of separation techniques
5.3 Evolution of analytical techniques
5.4 Evolution of standard methods
5.5 Isolating the residue
5.5.1 Initial sample evaluation
5.5.2 Ignitable liquid residue isolation method selection
5.5.3 Solvent selection
5.5.4 Internal standards
5.5.5 Advantages and disadvantages of isolation methods
5.6 Analyzing the isolated ignitable liquid residue. 5.6.1 Criteria for identification5.6.1.1 Identification of gasoline
5.6.1.2 Identification of distillates
5.6.1.3 Identifying other classes of products
5.6.2 Improving sensitivity
5.6.3 Estimating the degree of evaporation
5.6.4 Identity of source
5.7 Reporting procedures
5.8 Record keeping
5.9 Quality assurance
5.10 Conclusion
Review questions
Questions for discussion
References
6: Evaluation of ignition sources
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Joint examinations of physical evidence
6.3 Appliances and electrical components
6.3.1 Electronic device reliability and failure modes.