Forensic Science

PCH/NM/01

Fire

Dr. Sangeetha Balakrishnan

PG Department of Chemistry
Women’s Christian College
Chennai – 600 006

25 January, 2017
 Some Definitions
• Fire
Fire is the evolution of energy in the form of
light, heat and smoke.
Fuel + oxygen carbon dioxide + water +
energy
• Activation Energy
The energy required for this reaction to occur
is called activation energy.
This energy is required to break molecular
oxygen into atomic oxygen.
 The Chemistry of Fire
The Fire Tetrahedron What can we do if we need to
stop a fire?
 Classification of Fire

Fire

Natural Accidental
Arson
Fire Fire

Arson: The crime of setting fires willfully and

intentionally.
Also called: incendiary fires.
 Investigation of a fire scene to
determine if it is arson
1. Eliminate all possible natural or accidental
causes of fire.
2. Have compelling evidence for arson.
a) Presence of a fire-setting device like a Molotov
Cocktail.
b) Presence of Fire Trail.
c) Presence of Point of Origin.
 a) Molotov Cocktail

Bottle containing accelerant + wick  ignite  throw!

 b) Fire trail

Pour the accelerant  Set fire  Efficient way to carry the fire
from one place to another.
 c) The Point of Origin
• It is the location where the fire started.
• This is where the most extensive burning
takes place, and is the hottest!
• If an accelerant was used to start a fire, its
residue will be seen at the point of origin.
 Characteristic Features of
Point of Origin
• V-Patterns of burning.
• Blistering of concrete.
• The beginning of a fire trail.
• The obvious presence of accelerants.

V-Pattern of burning
Blistering of concrete
 Detection and Collection of
Accelerants
1. By hydrocarbon sensors.
2. By arson dogs.

Give
examples of
such
substances.

3. By substances that absorb accelerants.

Analysis of Fire Scene Residue
1. Separate the accelerant residue from the
material it was trapped in.
2. Concentrate these residues.
3. Analyse.

• Concentration Method: Passive Headspace

• Analysis: Gas-Chromatography/Mass
Spectrometry
Passive Headspace