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Preface | |
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Acknowledgments | |
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Introduction | |
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The Fire Problem | |
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The Detection of Incendiary Fires | |
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Analytical Fire Investigation | |
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The Scientific Method | |
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The Elementary Chemistry of Combustion | |
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Atoms, Elements, and Compounds | |
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The Oxidation Reaction | |
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Carbon Compounds | |
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Other Elements | |
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Organic Compounds | |
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Hydrocarbons | |
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Petroleum Products | |
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Carbohydrates | |
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Pyrolysis of Organics | |
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Conclusion | |
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State of the Fuel | |
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Summary | |
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The Nature and Behavior of Fire | |
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Basic Combustion | |
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Flaming Fire | |
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Structure of Flames | |
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Smoldering Fire | |
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Explosive Combustion | |
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Heat | |
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Heat and the Rate of Reaction | |
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Heat and Temperature | |
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Heat Release Rate | |
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Heat Transfer and Heat Flux | |
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Direct Flame Impingement | |
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Flame Plume | |
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Sequence of a Room Fire | |
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Beginning or Incipient Stage | |
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Free-Burning Stage | |
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Post-flashover Stage | |
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Decay Stage | |
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Flow of Hot Gases | |
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Effects of Environmental Conditions | |
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Temperature | |
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Humidity | |
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Wetness of Fuel (Fuel Moisture Content) | |
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Wind | |
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Oxygen Content | |
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Summary | |
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Combustion Properties of Liquid and Gaseous Fuels | |
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Types of Fuel | |
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Gases | |
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Liquids and Their Vapors | |
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Solids | |
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Physical Properties of Fuels | |
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Vapor Pressure | |
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Flammability (Explosive) Limits | |
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Flash Point | |
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Flame Point/Fire Point | |
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Ignition Temperature | |
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Ignition Energy | |
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Boiling Points | |
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Vapor Density | |
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Heat of Combustion | |
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Hydrocarbon Fuels | |
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Nonhydrocarbon Liquid Fuels | |
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Combustion of Liquid Fuels | |
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Pyrolysis and Decomposition of Liquids | |
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Fuel Gas Sources | |
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Gas Lines | |
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Natural Gas | |
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LP Gas | |
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Summary | |
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Combustion Properties of Solid Fuels | |
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Pyrolysis | |
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Combustion Properties of Wood | |
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Components of Wood | |
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Ignition and Combustion of Wood | |
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"Low Temperature" Ignition | |
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Wood Products | |
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Paper | |
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Plastics | |
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Paint | |
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Metals | |
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Coal | |
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Dust Explosions | |
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Fire Behavior | |
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Flame Color | |
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Smoke Production | |
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Summary | |
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Sources of Ignition | |
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Primary Ignitors | |
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Matches | |
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Lighters | |
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Torches | |
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Candles | |
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Secondary Sources | |
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Sparks/Arcs | |
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Hot Objects/Hot Surfaces | |
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Friction | |
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Radiant Heat | |
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Chemical Reaction | |
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The Role of Services and Appliances in Starting Fires | |
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Gas Appliances as Ignition Sources | |
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Electric Appliances | |
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Kerosene Heaters | |
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Oil Storage | |
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Electricity | |
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The Role of Hot and Burning Fragments in Kindling Fires | |
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Wind-Blown Sparks | |
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Fireplaces and Chimneys | |
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Long-Term Heating "Low-Temperature" Ignition | |
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Trash Burners and Bonfires | |
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Hot Coals | |
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Hot Metals | |
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Mechanical Sparks | |
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Firearms Residues | |
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Smoking as a Fire Origin | |
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The Role of Animals in Igniting Fires | |
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Miscellaneous Sources of Ignition | |
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Lightning | |
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Spontaneous Combustion (Self-Heating) | |
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Ignition by Electric Lighting | |
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Ignition from Discarded Batteries | |
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Summary | |
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Structure Fires and Their Investigation | |
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Beginning the Investigation | |
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Investigative Information During Suppression | |
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Responsibility of the Firefighters | |
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Minimizing Post-Fire Damage | |
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Documentation | |
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Elements of Building Construction | |
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Structural Shell | |
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Fire-Resistance Ratings | |
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Internal Structure | |
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General Principles of Fire Behavior | |
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Reconstructing the Starting Conditions | |
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Fire Patterns | |
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Tracing the Course of the Fire | |
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Implications | |
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Examination of a Structure Fire Scene | |
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Survey and Assessment | |
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Interviews with Firefighters | |
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Interviews with Witnesses | |
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Search Patterns | |
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Fire Behavior Indicators | |
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Other Investigative Considerations | |
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Testing of Hands | |
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Testing of Clothing | |
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Protected Areas | |
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Elimination of Ignition Sources | |
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Detection Systems | |
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Arc Mapping | |
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Appliance Condition | |
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Interior Fires from Exterior Sources | |
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Roof and Attic Fires | |
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Myths and Misconceptions | |
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Documenting the Fire Scene | |
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Photography | |
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Sketching | |
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Collection of Evidence | |
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Debris Containing Suspected Volatiles | |
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Other Solid Evidence | |
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Liquids | |
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Chain of Evidence | |
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Time Lines | |
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Conclusions About the Fire | |
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Summary | |
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Grass and Wildland Fires and Their Investigation | |
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Fuels | |
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Fire Behavior | |
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Determination of Origin | |
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Investigation Methodology | |
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First Evaluation | |
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Other Sources of Information | |
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The Scene Search | |
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Burn Indicators | |
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Documentation | |
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Sources of Ignition | |
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Power Lines | |
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Lightning | |
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Burning or Hot Fragments | |
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Campfires | |
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Cigarettes | |
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Incendiary Fires | |
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Modeling | |
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Collection and Preservation of Physical Evidence | |
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Summary | |
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Automobile, Motor Vehicle, and Ship Fires | |
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Automobiles and Motor Vehicles | |
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Fuel Systems | |
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Electrical Systems | |
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Miscellaneous Causes | |
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Combustible Materials | |
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Vehicle Arson | |
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Vehicle Examination | |
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Motorhomes and Recreational Vehicles | |
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Mobile Homes (Manufactured Housing) | |
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Boats and Ships | |
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Motives for Vehicle Arson | |
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Summary | |
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Electrical Causes of Fire | |
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Basic Electricity | |
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Static Electricity | |
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Current Electricity | |
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Direct and Alternating Current (DC and AC) | |
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Electrical Units | |
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Electrical Calculations | |
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Wiring Systems | |
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Conductors and Insulators | |
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Current-Carrying Capability (Ampacity) | |
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Protection-Overcurrent and Short Circuit | |
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Fuses | |
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Breakers | |
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Solid-State Protectors | |
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Overcurrent Devices and Fire Investigation | |
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Ground Fault Interrupters | |
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Service Entrance | |
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Ignition by Electrical Means | |
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Conduction Heating | |
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Overheating by Excessive Current | |
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Overheating by Poor Connection | |
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Insulation Breakdown (Degradation)-Carbon Tracking | |
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Arcs and Sparks | |
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Aluminum Wiring | |
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Electric Motors and Transformers | |
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Fixed Heaters | |
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Appliances | |
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Extension Cords | |
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Heat Tapes | |
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Investigation of Electricity-Related Fires | |
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Post-fire Indicators | |
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Mapping of Arc Faults | |
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Arcing Through Char | |
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Laboratory Examination | |
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Summary | |
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Clothing and Fabric Fires | |
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Types of Cloth | |
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Natural Fibers | |
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Synthetic Fibers | |
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Fire Hazards | |
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Regulation on Flammable Fabrics | |
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Flammability of Mattresses and Upholstered Furniture | |
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Furniture Testing | |
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Flammability Testing | |
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General Observations | |
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Summary | |
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Explosions and Explosive Combustion | |
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Explosive Combustion | |
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Diffuse-Phase Explosions | |
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Gases | |
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Vapors | |
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Dust Suspensions | |
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Ignition | |
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Dense-Phase Explosions | |
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Chemical and Physical Properties | |
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Explosive Types | |
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High Order/Low Order | |
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Investigation of Explosions | |
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The Scene Search | |
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Mechanical Explosions | |
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Speed and Force of Reaction | |
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Explosion Debris | |
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Scene Examination | |
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Evidence Recovery | |
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Laboratory Analysis | |
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Incident Analysis | |
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Summary | |
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Chemical Fires and Hazardous Materials | |
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Gases | |
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Hydrocarbons | |
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Others | |
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Liquids | |
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Solvents | |
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Others | |
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Solids | |
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Incendiary Mixtures | |
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Oxidizing Salts | |
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Reactive Metals | |
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Clandestine Drug Laboratories | |
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Marijuana Cultivation | |
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Warnings | |
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Summary | |
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Laboratory Services | |
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Availability of Laboratory Services | |
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Fire Testing Laboratories | |
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General Fire Evidence | |
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Identification of Charred or Burned Materials | |
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Burned Documents | |
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Failure Analysis-Forensic Engineers | |
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Evaluation of Appliances and Wiring | |
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Miscellaneous Laboratory Tests | |
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Spoliation | |
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Identification of Volatile Accelerants | |
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Gas Chromatography | |
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Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) | |
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Sample Handling and Isolation of Volatile Residues | |
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Identification of Volatile Residues | |
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Interpretation of GC Results | |
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Chemical Incendiaries | |
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Non-Fire-Related Criminal Evidence | |
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Fingerprints | |
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Blood | |
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Impression Evidence | |
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Physical Matches | |
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Trace Evidence | |
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Summary | |
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Fire-Related Deaths and Injuries | |
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The Team Effort | |
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Pathological and Toxicological Examination | |
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Destruction of the Body | |
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Effects of Fire | |
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Other Pathological Findings | |
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Carbon Monoxide Asphyxiation | |
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Sources of Carbon Monoxide | |
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Investigation of Carbon Monoxide Asphyxiations | |
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Other Toxic Gases | |
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Other Mechanism | |
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Injuries | |
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Manner of Death | |
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Summary | |
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Arson as a Crime | |
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The Crime of Arson | |
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Motive | |
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Profit | |
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Vandalism | |
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Excitement and Thrill Seeking | |
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Revenge, Retaliation, or Spite | |
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Concealment of Another Crime | |
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Extremism (Social Protest and Terrorism) | |
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Juvenile Fire Setting ("Curiosity" or "Fire Play" Fire Setting) | |
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Mixed Motives | |
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Irrational Fire Setting | |
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The Arson Set | |
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Arranging the Fire-Location | |
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Fuels | |
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Ignitable Liquids | |
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Type of Accelerant | |
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Method of Initiation | |
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Deductions from the Interpretation of Evidence | |
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Criminal Analysis or Profiling | |
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Analytical Reasoning | |
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Elimination of Accidental and Natural Causes | |
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Summary | |
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Other Investigative Topics | |
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Safety | |
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Fire Modeling | |
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What Should We Ask About Any Model We Use? | |
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Assessment | |
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Testing Complex Computer Models | |
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Arson Law | |
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Elements of Proof | |
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Direct and Circumstantial Evidence | |
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Search and Seizure | |
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Search and Seizure Court Decisions | |
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Sources of Information | |
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Spoliation | |
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Chain of Evidence | |
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Report Writing | |
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Summary | |
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The Scene | |
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The Investigation | |
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Conclusions | |
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Courtroom Testimony | |
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The Expert Witness | |
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Scientific Method | |
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Pretrial Preparation | |
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Testimony | |
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Epilogue | |
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Summary | |
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Natural Elements | |
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Nomenclature | |
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Melting Points and Thermal Conductivities of Common Materials | |
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The Evidence Collection Kit | |
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The Model Arson Law | |
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Sketching Fire Scenes | |
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List of Explosive Materials, 2004 | |
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Field Interview and Incident Report Forms | |
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Log Sheets | |
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Data for Fire Modeling and Reconstruction | |
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Critical Incident Radiant Heat Fluxes for Some Common Fuels | |
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Sample Task Force Agreement | |
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Web Sites | |
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Conversions of Units | |
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Suggested Reading List | |
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Glossary | |
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Index | |