Free or low-cost software tools that may be of assistance in understanding forensic evidence disciplines of digital forensics, arson investigation, DNA, death investigation, and more.
Arson
A Simplified Guide to Forensic Science
The National Forensic Science Technology Center created this website to explain in simplified terms the principles of each type of forensic analysis and how the analysis is performed. Topics include DNA, digital evidence, fingerprints, firearms, trace evidence, blood stains, and more.
Measuring the Impact of Cognitive Bias in Fire Investigation
This 2012 report by Paul Bieber of the Arson Research Project finds that cognitive bias is found in the field of fire investigation. Makes recommendations for how to minimize these biases.
Measuring the Impact of Cognitive Bias in Fire InvestigationRead More
Habeas Relief From Bad Science: Does Federal Habeas Corpus Provide Relief for Prisoners Possibly Convicted on Misunderstood Fire Science?
by Marc Price Wolf, Minnesota Journal of Law, Science & Technology (2009). Describes the shift in methodology and foundational principles that the field of fire investigation has undergone recently and discusses how habeas corpus relief can be utilized in arson cases.
Trial by Fire: Did Texas execute an innocent man?
This New Yorker article by David Grann provides and in depth investigation of the flaws in the Cameron Todd Willingham case.
Spark of Truth: Can Science Bring Justice to Arson Trials?
This October 2011, Discover Magazine article by Douglas Starr explains how the science of fire investigation has evolved in recent years and discusses why certain findings that have traditionally been interpreted as evidence of arson have been debunked. This article is an excellent reference for attorneys who are seeking additional information about fire investigation or …
Spark of Truth: Can Science Bring Justice to Arson Trials?Read More
InterFire.org
Has several online training modules which give introductory information, but should not replace in-depth research of the issues.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
The federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing the criminal and regulatory provisions of Federal laws pertaining to explosives enforcement and arson.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and ExplosivesRead More
NC International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.
The NC chapter of the IAAI. Find information about relevant NC case law, local training, and membership.
NC International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.Read More
International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.
An association of more than 5,000 fire investigation professionals. The website has some information about trainings and standards, but most of the material is available only to members.
International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.Read More
Ignitable Liquids Reference Collection Database
The National Center for Forensic Science at the University of Central Florida has tested over 600 commercial products and compiled information about their molecular composition in an online database.
Forensic Fire Scene Examination – What it Tells Us, and What it Doesn’t
This article by Paul Bieber appeared in the 2013 CACJ publication. Bieber looks at the reliability of fire investigation and the validity of techniques including identification of the area or areas of origin.
Forensic Fire Scene Examination – What it Tells Us, and What it Doesn’tRead More
USFA Fire Burn Pattern Tests
This 1997 study by FEMA and the US Fire Administration found that ventilation and flashover may change or move patterns making correct interpretation of the pattern more difficult. Flashover was found in a majority of test fires and did obscure patterns including patterns from ignitable liquids.
Death by Fire
This Frontline documentary investigates the case of Cameron Todd Willingham, a man who was executed in Texas in 2004 for allegedly setting the fire that killed his three young daughters. Prior to his execution, reports were submitted to Texas officials raising serious doubts about the science used to determine that the fire was arson.
Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation
2006 book by John Lentini on appropriate techniques for fire scene investigations and chemical analysis of fire debris. Highlights frequent errors in fire investigation, the history of fire investigation and how the profession has evolved.