• Research Paper on:
    Forensics and Arson Investigation

    Number of Pages: 5

     

    Summary of the research paper:

    In five pages this paper on forensics discusses the value attributed to arson investigation. Eight sources are cited in the bibliography.

    Name of Research Paper File: LM1_TLCarson.rtf

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    Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
    the most valuable tools available to help ascertain this information is through an arson investigation, the "study of fire-damaged physical evidence and crime scenes to detect arson" (Carpenter, 1995).  The extent to which arson investigations are inherently valuable to forensics is both grand and far-reaching; without their vital contribution, many cases would remain unresolved. "Wherever he steps, whatever  he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as silent witness against him. Not only his fingerprints or his footprints, but his hair, the fibers from his clothing,  the glass he breaks, the tool mark he leaves, the pain he scratches, the blood or semen he deposits or collects. All of these and more bear mute witness  against him" (Harris v. United States, 331 US 145, 1947). Understanding the nature of explosives - detection, identification, characterization - requires significantly more information than merely knowing the substance  used in the aftermath of an explosion. The extent to which explosives - defined as "gunpowder, powders for blasting, high explosives, blasting materials, fuses (other than electric circuit breakers),  detonators, and other detonating agents, smokeless powder and any chemical compound or any mechanical mixture containing any oxidizing and combustible units, or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities, or packing  that ignition by fire, friction, concussion, percussion or detonation of any part thereof may and is intended to cause an explosion..." (Anonymous, 2000) - derive their composition from country of  origin, manufacturer and myriad other components is both grand and far-reaching; in order to come up with a definitive answer from post-explosion residue, arson investigators must have access to a  collective of information (Ballantyne, 2001). "This is evidence that does not forget. It is not confused by the excitement of the moment. It is not absent because 

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