- The conditions necessary for ignition and steady burning of combustible materials to occur
- How large a fire has to become before fire detectors and sprinkler heads will operate
- The circumstances that can lead to flashover in a compartment
- Kirk’s Fire Investigation
by John D. DeHAAN.
Published by Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
792 pages 6th edition (August 19, 2006)
Written by a forensic scientist with extensive education and training experience in all phases of fire and explosion investigation, this widely used book details all essential information. Now updated and expanded, it is in closer accordance to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigation, which is used at the National Fire Academy. This revision will help enhance the accuracy and reliability of your investigation. Chapter topics examine the elementary chemistry of combustion; the nature and behavior of fire; combustion properties of liquid, gaseous, and solid fuels; sources of ignition; structure fires and their investigation; grass and wildland fires and their investigation; automobile, motor vehicle, and ship fires; electrical causes of fire; clothing and fabric fires; explosions and explosive combustion; chemical fires and hazardous materials; laboratory services; fire-related deaths and injuries; arson as a crime; and other investigative topics. For public fire investigators, arson investigators, bomb/arson specialists, special investigations units, and fraud specialists.
- Free Pocket Guide to Arson Investigation
FM Global produce a number of free handbooks for people in the fire service and associated professions. One such book is the pocket guide to Arson investigation.
Recognized worldwide as an excellent resource for fire service professionals and arson investigators, this pocket guide outlines key measures to take throughout various stages of fire, from the time the alarm is sounded until extinguishment, and details general fire investigation and evidence collection techniques to determine the cause of fire.
To order the book and view more titles visit the FM Global site.
- Fire Investigation
edited by Dr. Niamh Nic Daeid. Published by Taylor & Francis
There are numerous short case histories … along with comments about scene investigations … [which] will be useful and informative to most fire investigators. John Twibell is one of the best forensic scientists … . Few people are as well qualified to write about fire testing and its application to fire investigation and reconstruction as Martin Shipp of the Fire Research Station … . Reta Newman is very well known for her own co-authorship of the landmark reference GC-MS Guide to Ignitable Liquids …. This worthy effort was deliberately design to address the needs of scientific fire investigators whose responsibilities over a wide range and successfully fulfills that aim. By selecting a panel of first-class subject experts and drawing them together in a useful and readable text, Niamh has rendered a useful service to fire investigators.
- Journal of Forensic Science
Pocket Guide to Fire and Arson Invesigation, published by FM Global.
This pocket-sized guide has been compiled by Mick Gardiner of Gardiner Associates and is a basic introduction on how to investigate a fire. Contact the Gardiner Associates website.
- Principles of Fire Behavior
by James G. QUINTIERE. Published by Delmar, New York. 1997.
Fire fighters, building officials, fire investigators and product manufacturers will enhance their critical store of knowledge with this book on fire behavior. Easy to read, the text covers the four forms of fire while thoroughly discussing heat transfer, ignition, flame spread, fire plumes, heat flux as a damage variable, and other vital issues. With its explanation of fire modeling, Principles of Fire Behavior keeps professionals abreast of the latest design, analysis, and investigative techniques. Coverage of formulas help professionals understand the science behind fire- and how it applies to their particular craft.Amazon.co.uk
- Forensic Fire Scene Reconstruction
by David ICOVE and John D. DeHAAN. Published by Prentice Hall, New Jersey. 2004.
For junior/senior-level college courses in Fire Science Technology and Fire Protection Engineering, as well as advanced Fire Investigation and Training programs and professional seminars. This textbook for the fire and law enforcement investigator, prosecutor, and fire protection professional provides a thorough understanding of fire dynamics, describing and illustrating a totally new systematic approach for reconstructing fire scenes. The approach applies the following principles of fire protection engineering along with forensic and behavioral science: identifiable fire pattern damage, human factors, physical forensic evidence of human activity, and application of the scientific method based upon relevant scientific principles and research. Using historical fire cases, the authors provide new lessons and insight into the ignition, growth, development, and outcome of those fire
Amazon.co.uk
- NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations (2004).
Published by National Fire Protection Association, Quincy, MA.
First published in 1992 this text has been compiled by the technical committee of the NFPA and has been revised at regular intervals since. It has been adopted by most states in USA as the benchmark by which fire investigations are to be carried out. Consequently it is not far from the side of both prosecution and defence attorneys at arson trials. It is an easy read with no complicated mathematical equations or complex chemistry. Simple, practical and very informative. Available for about £30 from ILI Tel: 01344 636300 or Ili Publishing.
- An Introduction to Fire Dynamics
by Dougal DRYSDALE. Published by Wiley, Chichester. 1998.
An Introduction to Fire Dynamics Second Edition Dougal Drysdale University of Edinburgh, UK Fire Safety Engineering, identified in the original edition as ‘a relatively new discipline’, has since grown significantly in stature, as Fire Safety Engineers around the world begin to apply their skills to complex issues that defy solution by the old ‘prescriptive’ approach to fire safety. This second edition has the same structure as the first highly successful text, but has been updated with the latest research results. Fire processes are discussed and quantified in terms of the mechanisms of heat transfer and fluid flow. Problems addressed include:
This book is unique in that it identifies fire science and fire dynamics and provides the scientific background necessary for the development of fire safety engineering as a professional discipline. It is essential reading for all those involved in this wide ranging field, from Fire Prevention Officers to Consulting Engineers, whether involved in problems of fire risk assessment, fire safety design, or fire investigation. It will also be of considerable interest and value to research scientists working in building design, fire physics and chemistry.
Amazon.co.uk
- A Guide to Fatal Fire Investigation
by D. LEITCH. Published by The Institution of Fire Engineers (IFE) 1993. 70 pages of text and 44 pages of glossy photos of corpses.
This book includes the principles of cremation, identification, and common mistakes made at fatal fire scenes. It is very basic and easy to read. Available from the Institute of Fire Engineers for £12.35. (25% discount if bought with Principles of Fire Investigation).
- Ignition Handbook
by Vytenis BABRAUSKAS. Published by Fire Science Publishers (2004).
After 7 years in the preparation this 1116 page handbook is what fire investigators and fire scientists have been waiting for. Available for about $200 from Fire Science Publishers.
- Safety at Scenes of Fire and Related Incidents
by James MUNDAY. Published by Fire Protection Association, London (1994).
Often quoted in other works on Fire Investigation this book (now only available on disc) gives practical guidance on the risks encountered at fire scenes. £15 from the Fire Protection Association.
- Crime Scene to Court: The Essentials of Forensic Science
edited by P.C. White. Published by Royal Society of Chemistry (2004).
The book is well laid out and presented in a logical order following the crime scene to court theme. Chapter one gives a comprehensive overview of the process of forensic science, including aspects such as accountability, accreditation and quality. The second chapter deals with crime scene investigation by means of two examples (a burglary and murder scene) and takes the reader through the processes that would be put in place to investigate these crimes. Chapters three to 14 cover the various aspects of forensic evidence. The material has generally been updated since the previous version and each chapter is presented in a semi-technical format so that it is clear and understandable to a wide range of readers.
The final chapter deals with the preparations of court reports and the presentation of evidence in court. This is an essential part of the forensic scientist’s role as is the ability to interpret analytical results fairly and then communicate the findings to a jury and court are essential skills for an expert witness.
Amazon.co.uk.