1. Criminal Investigations
and the Law
CHAPTER 16
ARSON, BOMBS
AND EXPLOSIVES
BOOM!!

2. Arson
 Fire investigation:
-police and/or fire dept
-respond quickly
-covertly photo crowd
-watch flames/smoke
-interview firefighters

3. Arson
Administrative warrants:
-govt. agency
-civil search premises
-cause/origin

4. Arson
 Affidavit
-location
-legal description of property
-purpose (cause/origin)
-area and time
-use of building
-efforts to secure building
Coolidge v. New Hampshire (1971):
-criminal evidence
-valid admin warrant
-admissible plain view
-establish PC for criminal warrant

5. Arson
Firefighting does not need a warrant
-officials remain “reasonable time” w/o warrant
Michigan v. Tyler (1978):
-fire out
-firefighters leave premises
-warrant needed to re-enter

6. Arson
 Warrants:
-consent
-exigent circumstances
-expectation of privacy
-evidence under admin if plain view
-criminal evidence obtained under admin requires criminal warrant for
further search

7. Bombs
 Explosive incidents:
-juvenile/experimentation
-military ordinance
-EDPs
-criminal action
-terrorists

8. Bombs
 Motives:
-vandalism
-fun
-revenge
-extortion
-protest
-outright killing

9. Bombs
 Dry ice & water
 Mail box bomb; sugar, water, chlorine 2 liter bottle
 Car bomb
 Letter bomb
 Pipe bomb
 TATP
 IED

10. Bombs
 Investigation:
-scene
-crater
-large/trace evidence
-chemical analysis
-bomb pieces

11. Bombs
 What types of forensic evidence can be obtained?
-fingerprints
-type of materials
-type of device

12. Bombs
 Signature of bomber:
-style
-MO
-motive
-victims

13. Bombs
 How do you develop a suspect?
 Profile?
 Identity?
 Location

14. Bombs
 International suspects:
-Who do you notify?
-How do you locate?
-How do you arrest?
-How do you try suspects?