Examination of Firearms Review: 2007 to 2010 - Interpol

simulated environment in order to investigate the fire scene in a three dimensional
model is produced by a software. The students got basic skills and their knowledge
developed from the learning environment CD. A reward of the CD was to use the
program when it suits best to the students’ schedule. The time the student could
spend with the program was unlimited. On the other hand, limitations of the
technique were that the field of view, visual acuity and navigation of the environment
were limited. Although the results were promising, importance of real tasks in
authentic fire places cannot be underestimated. 133
Another point of view on arson investigation is the educational point for chemistry
students. Using fictitious forensic cases, the studies connect the experiments to realworld
applications. The sampling is made by absorbing the substances either by
charcoal tubes or stripes, the identification and characterization of the accelerants is
made by GC (FID) or GC-MS. The students have been able to develop their problemsolving
abilities and their enthusiasm to understand chemistry has deepened. 134-137
6. Explosions
Explosions of flammable substances, such as natural gas or solid combustible dust,
usually lead to casualties. Fires and explosions occur in many different industries,
such as plastic products, chemical manufacturing and primary metal and wood
factories. A large study considering the explosions during the last 25 years and an
assessment about dust explosion hazards have been made. 138-140
An assumption that materials are inert can lead to major incidents. This assumption
underlies the explosion of aluminum mats when being restored. 141 Also in Italy a
dust explosion occurred due to the domino effect caused by a spark inflaming a
mixture of vegetable dust, wool fibres and inorganic substances. 142 Combustible
dusts are a serious hazard in industrial manufacturing plants and multidisciplinary
techniques might be needed to develop plausible theories for explosions and
reconstructions. Such cases often include gases, for example acetylene, which burn
very rapidly. 138, 143 A discussion of a BLEVE’s (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour
Explosion) occurrence in a portable gasoline container has been attended. In the
same abstract, it was shown that a flame arrester would have prevented the
explosion inside of a gasoline container. 144
Another matter is co-operation of forensics with the pathologist. A case report about
an unusual suicidal explosive death reminds us of the importance to collaborate in
order to find the correct cause of death. 139
7. Criminological aspects of fire setting
Arson and fire setting are significant concerns for public health and safety. The cost
of arsons and their consequences are billions of dollars each year. On the other hand,
there are damages paid for thousands of injuries and deaths annually. 145 During the
last decades an enormous amount of global studies has been made to understand
the behaviour of arsonists and firesetters. Lately the focus has been in juveniles and
adolescents due to the opportunity to find a way to interfere in their behaviour at an
early stage. 146-148 Thus persons under the age of 16 account for more than half of all
fire-related arrests and the younger the persons were when setting the first fire, the
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