Page 11 - A Burning Question Fire Debris

Fire Debris
Analysis

substantial amount of evidence analyzed that of the legal community. These investigators
within a forensic chemistry laboratory is would examine the fire scene, determine the
A charred debris collected from fire scenes. best location at the scene from which to collect
In some jurisdictions debris from all fire scenes a sample, and collect the sample for laboratory
are routinely collected and sent to forensic analysis.
laboratories for analysis while, in others, debris
may only be collected and analyzed if the fire Before delving into the details of fire debris
investigator has reason to believe the fire to be analysis, it is important to understand what fire
suspicious. Depending on the local procedure, fire is, how it is started, and its affect on flammable
investigators may be crime scene investigators materials. Fire is a chemical reaction that releases
from the local police force, fire investigators from various reaction products. It typically exists in a
the fire department or fire marshal’s office, forensic gaseous state. Very hot fires such as those started
scientists, or insurance investigators, however, with accelerants may contain plasma. Plasma
insurance investigators would likely submit contains so much energy that the electrons are
collected evidence to a private laboratory in an ripped from atoms composing it. A gas on the
investigation independent (and likely in addition to) other hand has all of its atoms in-tact. Each state

THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE 11