NEAFC 32nd Annual Conference.pdf - New England Association of ...

NEw ENGLAND ASSOCIATION O1~ FIRE CHIEFS
3. Show the property is insured.
4. Secure the policies as evidence. I£ they are not available, service
notice on defendant to produce original copies.
5. Some reason for burning to defraud: Newly placed insurance.
Increased insurance, insurance policies about to expire or notice of cancellation
having been given. Demand for payment of over-due premiums.
6. Some observations in cases of insurance fires: Look for goods
moved out before the fire, and also goods brought in after the fire. If
contents are over-insured, have inventory made to show real value. To
establish a lack of business, check bank account, deposits and ledgers.
Also, question employees, clerks, and so forth.
(g) Methods of Establishing a Motive in Defrauding Cases. Statement
o]~ the accused that he hoped the place would burn. Poor business. Notes due.
Mortgage interest unpaid, and due. Taxes overdue. Rent overdue. Mortgage
xCoreclosing impending. Notice of foreclosure unless, requirements: are met.
Attachments. Hopelessly in debt. Store overstocked. Letters of r~fusal to
fulfil orders because o]~ credit reports or bills. Employees’. payroll dfle. Seasonable
business at end and seasonable goods unsold. Failure to receive expected
orders. Cancellation of orders already received. Desire to leave the locality
and locate somewhere else. Having outgrown present quarters and desire
to move into other quarters or, add to present quarters.
(h) Attempt to burn. There are three essential elements in this category:
1. Intent to eventually set fire.
2. Per]~ormance o]~ some act toward the commission of the crime.
3. Failure to consummate the crime.
(i) Some Observations at Scene of Fire.
Possession o]~ keys. Security of premises. Any indication o]~ separate
fires. Any flammable fluids, or compounds used. Any traps, or trailers, used.
Did flames, appear to have been accelerated? And so forth.
A flash fire is one that spreads: rapidly over an area, burning only the surface.
(j) Flammable Fluids Used for Fires.
¯ Gasoline, kerosene, benzine, rubber cements, lacquer, metal polish, stove
polish, fuel oil, varnoline, paint remover, alcohol, turpentine, benzol, naphtha,
varnish, bronzing and gilding fluid, cresote, cleaning fluids, linseed oil.
(k) Flammable compounds used for Fires.
Flammable film, celluloid, powders, dynamite, phosphorus, detonators,
thermite, blasting caps, blasting fuses.
(1) Other~Causes.
Gas jets allowed open. Some bombs cause fires. Oil burners, oil pipe
broken off:, sprinklers shu,. off, over-fusing of electric wires.
(m) Trailers.. May be made of paper, hay, straw, cloth, cotton, lace curtains,
leaves, rugs, mattresses, decorations, fireworks material, strips or chips of
cellulose, celluloid articles (anything that can convey fire from one point
to another may be a trailer)..
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