Real-Life Communication
Excellent communication skills are vital to an arson investigator's
job. They must be able to interact with a lot of people in the course of their
investigation -- police and fire professionals, witnesses and suspects.
Communication
is not over once the information is collected. That's just the beginning!
"Usually
the end result in one of our investigations is to testify in court," says
arson investigator Jim Fisher.
He adds that one of the biggest challenges
in this profession is "being able to present expert testimony in court and
clearly relate events that unfolded in the fire."
Once a suspect is
identified, his or her motivation will undoubtedly be questioned in court.
Here
are the top reasons why people commit arson and the clues that indicate each
motive:
1. Hidden crime: The suspect usually has a criminal
background. The fire is used to destroy evidence of anything from murder to
burglary. The suspect is most likely a substance abuser. The crime is usually
disorganized. Usually, a liquid accelerant is used to start the fire.
2.
Revenge: There is a history of confrontations between the suspect and
the victim. The fire is organized and planned. They usually use liquid accelerants.
3.
Vandalism: There are signs of forced entry. It is usually committed by
groups. The fire is not really planned. It is started with whatever is on
hand at the scene of the crime. This is usually committed by juveniles.
4.
Profit: The perpetrator has something to gain from the crime. Sometimes
someone is hired to do the job.
5. Extremist: The suspect belongs
to a group with a so-called "cause."
6. Excitement: The suspect
"enjoys" fires. Usually, the torched structures are deserted. The suspect
is older than the usual vandal. They might work as volunteer firefighters.
They live at home and are generally considered social outcasts.
With
this in mind, let's consider the following scenario:
Through your
investigation, you have conclusive evidence to convict an arsonist. Write
a 50-word scenario about your suspect that indicates revenge as a motive.