Aspects of Arson Investigation
Arson is a type of bias crime whereby an individual perpetrates the crime focusing on the victims, targeting the victim’s property (Karmen, 2015). Additionally, arson is categorized as a felony due to the severity of the crime; thus, arson investigations are not only time-consuming but also require efficiency to result in arrest and subsequent imprisonment (Lyman, 2011). In many cases, arson crimes go unsolved due to the complications of the investigations. Accordingly, investigators involved in arson investigations maintain strict investigative protocols during the investigations.
The personal items each arson investigator should carry
One of the measures observed during an arson investigation is the personal items accepted at arson crime scenes. Arson crime scenes are dangerous and sensitive, and therefore, to protect the arson investigator and probable evidence at the crime scenes, various items such as personal protection equipment and evidence documenting tools. Accordingly, personal protection equipment (P.P.E.) includes clothing, such as turnout pants and coats, firefighting-type boots and gloves, helmets that cover the eyes, and respirators or dust masks. The P.P.E. is essential for all arson investigators due to the possibility of health complications from the atmosphere left behind following the fire or physical dangers from the property damage, such as the collapsing of buildings. Despite the appropriate garment required to enter an arson crime scene, arson investigators must wait until the crime scene is rendered safe for them to access the crime scene for further investigation.
Additionally, documentation of the crime scene is essential to prevent the loss of evidence at the crime scene. In most cases, evidence is lost as firefighters put out the fire; therefore, it is essential to document evidence as soon as the investigator arrives at the crime scene. Subsequently, documentation requires the use of various tools which investigators must possess. They include barrier tapes, marker cones or flags, photographic tools, evidence tags, labels, and tape, and hand tools such as hammers, crowbars, rakes, screwdrivers, brooms, knives, and spades. Decontamination equipment, evidence containers such as cans, glass jars, nylon or polyester bags, lights such as flashlights and spotlights, compasses, and writing equipment such as pens and notebooks (NIJ, 2009).
With the ease of destruction and loss of evidence, the investigators require all these tools. Accordingly, the photographs and videos of the crime scene are taken to document the state of the crime scene, individuals present, and potential evidence discovered at the crime scene. Also, other tools needed, such as barrier tapes, are put in place to regulate people moving within and around the crime scene. Additionally, other tools are essential for discovering, collecting, and storing evidence collected to aid in further investigation. In addition, other items, such as gloves, are necessary to prevent further contamination of evidence to be collected at crime scenes.
Consequently, each arson investigator must possess these items, tools, or equipment for a smooth investigation flow. Some of the items protect the investigators from potential threats to their health. Other things are essential in preserving the crime scene, while other items are vital in identifying, collecting, and storing evidence collected at the crime scene.
Lighting types in an arson scene
Following fire destruction at a crime scene, investigations are highly challenging due to the aftermath of the fire. During the investigation, arson investigators begin the investigation in an inward manner, whereby they assess the crime scene after assessing areas surrounding the crime scene. This approach stems from the fact that most arson crime scenes pose a danger to the investigators, and therefore, the crime scene must be deemed safe for entry by other professionals before the investigators can begin the assessment. One of the barriers to arson investigations is darkness after a fire destroys all forms of lighting at a crime scene. The destruction of lighting can cause darkness in contribution to the smoke and soot possibly left behind after a fire is extinguished. Consequently, arson investigators must avail themselves of lighting to counter the darkness present. Some of the lighting sources include flashlights, spotlights, and other alternative light sources.
Flashlights and spotlights are essential sources primarily found in crime scenes. They serve the purpose of illuminating crime scenes so that the investigators may identify and collect possible evidence. Further, electronic devices that emit light might be used in the arson crime scene. These electronic devices might include alternative or forensic light sources. According to Fish et al. (2015), “forensic light source/alternate light source (FLS/ALS) devices are electronic tools that exploit the properties and nature of light between the ultraviolet (U.V.) 180- to 400-nm band and the infrared (I.R.) 700-nm band of the electromagnetic light spectrum to assist C.S.I.s with locating and documenting physical evidence.” Subsequently, they indicate that alternative lighting sources are essential in illuminating the crime scene and crucial in identifying evidence due to their traits that aid in evidence location.
The alternative light sources possess the ability in evidence location mainly from their ability to emit light at various wavelengths. Accordingly, the interaction between the several wavelengths of light and the type of evidence at the crime results in various effects, including glowing, indicating fluorescence properties, displaying absorbance properties, reflecting of light, indicating reflection properties, and finally, shadow casting (Fish et al., 2015). All these factors aid in the identification and location of evidence at arson crime scenes.
Critical safety equipment and their intended uses
Arson crime scenes pose a danger to all individuals accessing the scene, including firefighters and arson investigators. This is due to the delicacy of property burned down and the contaminated condition of the atmosphere, which may contain harmful material. Subsequently, all individuals accessing the crime scene must have protective gear. Additionally, P.P.E.s vary with the intensity and fire type, and thus, for various crime scenes, fire investigators have varying protective gear. Critical safety equipment is referred to as personal protection equipment (P.P.E.). They include clothing, such as turnout pants and coats, firefighting-type boots and gloves, helmets that cover the eyes, and respirators or dust masks.
The first safety equipment is clothing, which includes turnout pants and coats. This type of clothing is made of material that protects the investigator from sharp items at the crime scenes due to the impenetrable material. Accordingly, sharp items at arson crime scenes might not be apparent, so the investigator is protected. Other safety equipment is firefighting-type boots and gloves, which protect the investigator from dangerous substances they might contact and also prevent the contamination of evidence at the crime scene. Other types of safety equipment include helmets that cover the eyes, which protect the investigator from head injuries arising from dangers at the crime scene and protect their eyes from the polluted atmosphere that may contain harmful substances; as is the case with respirators or dust masks (Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative, 2020).
Minimum Number of Personnel at an Arson Scene Investigation
The sensitivity and danger of arson crime scenes limit the number of individuals accessing the scene. Further evidence at arson crime scenes is so sensitive; thus, people accessing the crime scene are limited to protect the evidence. The people accessing the arson crime scene include firefighters and investigators, and therefore, a minimum of two people can be at the scene at any given time. This is stipulated in NFPA 921, which dictates a minimum of two individuals to ensure their protection.
An arson crime scene is not safe, and the lives of people accessing the scene are put in danger while they are at the scene. Therefore, in case dangerous circumstances occur, another individual is present to help the other person. Also, individuals might attempt to contaminate or destroy evidence, and hence, the presence of another individual reduces the risk of losing or contaminating a piece of evidence.
Scientific Interview
During arson investigations, scientific interviews are essential. Scientific interviews are part of the investigation that yields results ranging from the cause of a fire and the origin of the fire to the perpetrator of the felony. These scientific interviews enable an investigator to recognize the state of the individuals involved, who include witnesses, victims, and potential perpetrators. Therefore, scientific interviews enable the investigator to determine the truth presented during interviews (M.U.S.E, 2021). Thus, it is essential to interview and analyze people associated with the crime scene to accelerate investigations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, arson crime scenes are very dangerous and delicate, and therefore, investigators and other individuals must conduct themselves in a specified manner for their protection and the protection of evidence. Subsequently, this conduct involves the use of protective equipment to protect the investigator and other tools to protect the evidence during the identification, collection, and storage of the evidence. All these factors are essential in solving arson felonies that may be challenging under certain circumstances.
References
Fish, J., Miller, L., Braswell, M., & Wallace, E. (2015). Crime scene investigation (3rd ed.). Elsevier Inc.
Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative. (2020). Personal Safety Fire Investigators. Mtas.tennessee.edu. Retrieved 14 September 2021, from https://www.mtas.tennessee.edu/system/files/knowledgebase/original/Personal%20Safety-Fire%20Investigators%20SOP.pdf.
Karmen, A. (2015). Crime Victims: An Introduction to Victimology (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
M.U.S.E. (2021). Interviews and Interrogations. Class.aiu-online.com. Retrieved from https://class.aiu-online.com/_layouts/MUSEViewer/Asset.aspx?MID=1605458&aid=1605477.
NIJ. (2009). A Guide for Investigating Fire and Arson. National Institute of Justice. Retrieved from https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/guide-investigating-fire-and-arson.
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Question 
You are the training and logistics officer for the Metropolitan Arson Squad. Your position requires you to demonstrate in writing the training and equipment needed for an arson unit to operate successfully in the field while conducting arson scene investigations. Your job is extremely important because the equipment and training sessions you are responsible for will save the lives of the unit and the public.
Aspects of Arson Investigation
You will explain the resources and training necessary to accomplish the mission of arson investigation in the greater metropolitan area. You will address tools and equipment for strategic needs as well as safety equipment. You will also discuss training that would support the arson crime investigative effort.
Address the following in 3–5 pages:
Describe the personal items each arson investigator should carry.
Identify at least 2 lighting types that would be necessary to use in an arson scene.
Thinking of head-to-toe protection, describe 4 critical items of safety equipment and their intended uses.
What is the minimum number of personnel at an arson scene investigation? Why is that number important? Explain.
Why is it important to be able to conduct a scientific interview? Explain in detail.
Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.