WK7

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American Public University *

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306

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Law

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Jul 1, 2024

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docx

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Uploaded by thecollective1

WK7 Arson 1) What are the preliminary steps to an arson investigation? 2) What are some signs to look for that lead you to believe that arson may have occurred? 3) Discuss how legal entry can be made into a fire scene and some of the legal challenges that can arise in entry to the fire scene. The first step in an arson investigation is to secure the scene. This means ensuring the fire is out and potential evidence is not disturbed or destroyed. Once the scene is secure, investigators will look for evidence of how the fire started. This can include looking for patterns of burn damage, examining the remains of any accelerants that may have been used, and interviewing witnesses. If arson is suspected, it is critical that the area not be cleansed. The source of the fire should be discovered as quickly as possible because there is where the majority of the evidence will be found, even though the tremendous heat would destroy much of it. After the initial investigation, investigators may need further tests and analyses to confirm their findings. This can include conducting laboratory tests on samples of burned material, using computer simulations to model the fire, and consulting with experts in fire behavior. Once the investigators are confident they understand how the fire started, they can look into who may have started it. This can involve reviewing security footage, conducting background checks, and interviewing potential suspects. Arson investigations can be complex and time-consuming, but they are essential to bring those responsible for starting fires to justice. Due to the nature of fire evidence, it is necessary to investigate a fire immediately after the scene has been deemed safe. Fire officials should determine the cause of a fire as soon as possible, or it may not be discovered. Because the destruction of evidence is so fast and the potential for more fires to be started, a warrant is unnecessary for officials to stay on the scene of a fire to investigate and determine the cause. Because of this, anything seized is admissible. People still have rights to implied privacy, and the investigation should be contained to the fire investigation. Legal entry can be made in a fire scene in several ways: exigent circumstances, consent, administrative search warrant, and criminal search warrant. References: A guide for investigating fire and arson . National Institute of Justice. (n.d.). https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/guide-investigating-fire-and-arson Arson signs. Arson Signs - Accelerants, Burn Pattern Discrepancies, Smoke Color. (n.d.). https://www.ircinc.net/arson-signs

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