Question About Arson Investigation

[Kait Nolan]

As I get further into the technical research for this latest work in progress, I'm getting a better handle on exactly how an arson investigation is conducted. But I could use some clarification if anybody happens to know. The hero of this WIP is an arson investigator. I know he'll be the one to go through the remains of the structures that burn and take samples for analysis. Am I correct in thinking that he will then send/take those samples to the lab where somebody ELSE will run all the tests to determine what those substances are? And then he would rely on whatever the lab tech told him about those substances? Basically I'm trying to determine if I can mostly limit my in text description of his activities to what he'll be doing on scene, the interviews with witnesses, property owners, etc., and can skip any detailed description of the actual lab work.

[Steven Hunt]

Kathleen,
You are correct for the most part on arson investigations. The investigatorm in addition to conducting interviews and recovering evidence, will be able to determine the point of origin of the fire and, for the most part, even what accelerant. In the case where a timer or some other type of igniter is used, the investigator should be able to investigate where the ingniter came from and search its serial number. The lab will be able to confirm the investigator' suspicions as to the liquid, if any, that were used. The lab is also useful in running DNA tests of any bodies that happened to be in the building. I hope this helps. If you need any more info, just write.
Steven Hunt