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Re: Fire Cause Classification
Posted by:
J L Mazerat (IP Logged)
Date: May 10, 2022 08:52AM
I agree that human involvement can be involved in the determination of a fire cause. I do not feel that just from the process of determining a fire cause will give an investigator sufficient evidence as to the person’s intention. Just saying human involvement was involved cannot in and of itself support a classification. A classification cannot be reach without the evidence of the person’s intent. To me that is a different type of investigation. I would say in most cases this activity is conducted by the public sector. There is a small percentage conducted by the private sector.
Yes, I do believe a chapter on incendiary fires is appropriate. There are many of those that use 921 are also responsible for determining a person’s intent. The methodology used is what has been used in investigations for years to determine intent. I agree this methodology is done mostly in criminal investigations, but it is also done in some civil investigations. This methodology deals with the preponderance of the evidence.
As I said before, I believe the term “Intentionally” in a chapter titled “Incendiary” it gives one the perception of a criminal activity. There needs to be some explanation that they are not necessarily talking about a criminal act. If the investigation is being conducted to determine if the person’s intent was to commit a criminal act the there will be evidence of motive and opportunity. I believe first must come the fire cause and then the activity to prove intent.
Jim Mazerat
Forensic Investigations Group