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Passenger compartment

Missing components Direction of fire travel Evidence of unnatural fire behavior Remains of interior components Delayer interior completely Documents & personal property Look for evidence of contamination Take samples as appropriate

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Trunk

Spare & jack Personal contents Component removal holes, wires,

cables and sound insulation Evidence of forced entry

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You have completed the vehicle inspection, now interview the owner or driver

THREE CATAGORIES History of Vehicle-date, place of

purchase, cost, financing, mileage Service & History- previous

repairs, previous problems, pending repairs

Time Of Fire- mileage, step by step description of fire onset or last use

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Subrogation

A civil law process where the loss cost is accepted by one party or shared by multiple parties.

If responsibility is denied, the percentage of responsible is determined through deposition, settlement hearings, arbitration or trial.

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Fire Investigation Experts

You are a huge and powerful part of the subrogation process

Government fire investigators can be called for testimony

Private fire investigators are commonly part of the subrogation process but their position is not considered equal to their government counterpart

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Investigation evidence

Government investigators are not required to retain accidental evidence

Private investigators retain both accidental and arson evidence

The identification, collection and retaining of evidence rules apply to all investigators

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Private investigator vehicle evidence

I recommend retaining vehicle Take samples when indicated Limit disassembly with evidence

spoliation in mind Store and label evidence properly

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Vehicle arson

The crime of maliciously, intentionally or recklessly starting a fire or causing and explosion

Typical arson is committed with the use of a ignitable accelerant

This method promotes sloppy fire setting and evidence left behind

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Intentionally set fires tend to cause unnatural fire behavior

Compare evidence of natural fire behavior with evidence of unnatural fire behavior

If you think it arson, try to disprove your theory with a potential accidental fire cause

Arson Motives

Spite/revenge Financial Fraud Pending repairs High mileage Lemon Crime concealment Vanity Pyromania

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Motives

Motive = Reason Intent = Deliberateness

of the act

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Arson Methods

Distributed ignitable liquid Paper combustibles Timed device Potato Chips Dryer towels Wax Paper

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Examine the Vehicle First

Compare the story to the vehicle People tend to stick to their story If vehicle was driving when caught

fire, guess who’s the suspect Hollywood provides fire behavior

description for suspect

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What is the Perfect Arson?

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Insurance Company Assistance

Establish contacts Claim and insurance history Special Investigation Unit

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Thank you for your attention

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