Why is it important to photograph and videotape an arson fire?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Pictures of a fire in progress show the smoke's color and its origination as well as the size of the fire at different points and times. Pictures are especially useful if there appears to be acceleration of the fire at a specific time that would indicate arson or the presence of highly combustible substances. Many fire departments take such in- progress photographs.

Smaller departments may seek help from television or newspaper photographers who may take pictures that can be of immense help.

Photographs or videotapes of the fire scene are also ideal to show the judge and jury.

Pictures taken of people at the fire scene might reveal the presence of a known arsonist or show a person who repeatedly appears in photos taken at fires and is therefore an arson suspect. Also, people familiar with the structure can review the pictures for anything out of the ordinary. Photos and videos taken inside to show the extent of burning will prove the corpus delicti. Officers can take close-up videos of extra papers, rags, gas cans, or other suspicious substances, as well as examples of alligatoring and deep charring. By videotaping at each stage of the search, officers can show the point of origin, the nature of the burning, and the direction and speed of the fire's spread.