How are fire scenes different than regular crime scenes for investigators? They are different than regular crime scenes because fire scenes have a different procedure. Plus, most fires scenes don’t require a search warrant. This is because it can take a long time to get a search warrant but with fire scenes it is crucial to get the evidence as soon as possible because causes of the fire, like petroleum, can evaporate within days, or even hours of the fire. Also, they need to know how to prevent the fire from starting again and possibly injuring fire fighters or other emergency responders.
What is the blast effect? The blast effect is the outward rush of gases from the bomb’s site of origin.
What are the two types of high explosives? The two types of high explosives are Primary explosives, which are easily ignited or detonated and are very sensitive to heat and friction, and Secondary explosives, which are usually much less sensitive to heat and friction and they typically have to be ignited through the use of other explosive materials.
What is a substrate control? Why is it done? A substrate control is an uncontaminated substance. It is taken to allow forensic scientists to compare the two samples to each other and observe whether a flammable liquid is present.
How is the evidence from a fire scene collected? What should be avoided? Ash and soot and other things that may have evidence of flammable liquids are collected from where the fire is believed to have started. Any materials collected from a fire scene are put in air-tight containers to prevent the evaporation of any flammable liquid evidence.
Critical Thinking Questions
What do you think would be the most challenging part of investigating a fire or explosion crime scene? Why? I think the most challenging part of investigating a fire or explosion crime scene would be collecting evidence. This is because a lot of the evidence is going to either be destroyed or