Name _________________________________ Date ______________

1. Name _________________________________ Date ______________ Read each case study. Summarize the study and write down whether or not you believe this to be arson. Bank Destruction Ten minutes after their Grand Opening, employees at a large bank branch smelled smoke. The situation quickly went bad with fire breaking out overhead. The employees and customers were evacuated safely. The fire, burning in the ceiling above the sprinklers, burned most of the roof off before it was brought under control. Our investigation identified a forced hot-air furnace as the cause of the fire. Examination of the concrete pad beneath the furnace revealed that the concrete beneath the burner elements had disintegrated from constant exposure to high temperature exposing the attic's wooden deck. Comparison of the pad's dimensions and characteristics with building plans filed in the city's Building Commissioner office revealed this pad had a much lighter construction than what was called for in the architect's plans. During a recorded interview, the heating sub-contractor admitted that he had never referred to the building plans and had purchased this pad at a discount home supply outlet. Summary _______________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Arson? ___________________ How do you know? ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Restaurant Destruction A large family stylerestaurant suffered extensive fire damage including partial roof collapse. Our investigation, quickly established that the building's sprinkler system had been shut off, a gas valve inside the building had been opened before the fire allowing the free flow of fuel gas into the building's interior and an ignitable liquid had been poured in several areas. Strangely, our investigation established that the building had been entered with a key and a series of doors which were regularly locked at all times were found unlocked and propped open after the fire. These open doors would allow the fire to extend to all parts of the building increasing the probability of a total loss. We got the service of a forensic locksmith and created a list of employees with keys to specific locks. We were able to prove these doors were key operated. We also established that there were only three people on the staff with the keys needed to open each unlocked door. Two had solid alibis; the third was the owner. Confronted with the evidence he withdrew his $1 million claim. Summary _______________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ Arson? ___________________ How do you know? ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________