This New Yorker article by David Grann provides and in depth investigation of the flaws in the Cameron Todd Willingham case.
Resources
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.
Thermal Properties Database
2012 DOJ publication by Arnaud Trouve’ and Thomas Minnich. This publication explains the Burning Item Database which describes the burning characteristics of common household and office items.
Spontaneous Ignition in Fire Investigation
2012 DOJ publication by James G. Quintiere, Justin T. Warden, Stephen M. Tamburello, and Thomas E. Minnich that addresses the principles of spontaneous ignition and its potential role as the cause and origin of a fire.
Reducing Uncertainty of Quantifying the Burning Rate of Upholstered Furniture
2012 DOJ publication by Marc L. Janssens that investigates how to estimate the burning rate of upholstered furniture and how to express the uncertainty of this prediction.
Reducing Uncertainty of Quantifying the Burning Rate of Upholstered FurnitureRead More
NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations, 2017 ed.
The National Fire Protection Association publishes this manual which is the standard of care in fire investigation. This guide can be viewed for free on the NFPA website which is an excellent way to become familiar with the standards; however, if you wish to download or print it, you must purchase a copy. Email Sarah Rackley Olson if …
NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations, 2017 ed.Read More