Kendall Philpot Case Notes — Fire Investigation Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards derived from the provided notes on arson investigation, trace evidence, forensic analysis, and related concepts.

Accelerant

A flammable liquid used to start or speed the spread of a fire, often petroleum-based.

Arson

The crime of intentionally setting fire to property.

Trace evidence

Small amounts of physical evidence that can transfer during a crime and be used to link or exclude suspects; often inconclusive on its own.

Forensic analysis

The scientific examination of evidence to reconstruct events and identify sources.

Common source

An inference that different samples may originate from a single source; lack of differences suggests but does not prove a single source.

Cross-contamination

Unintended transfer of substances between items, potentially compromising evidence during handling.

Lighter fluid container

A container that held lighter fluid and can be a potential accelerant source in arson investigations.

Shoeprints

Impressions left by shoes; not unique to a person and cannot identify an individual.

Fingerprints

Unique skin ridge patterns that can identify an individual in forensic analysis.

Indeterminate

Not able to be determined; the time the fire started cannot be reliably established.

Inadequate investigation

An investigation that fails to thoroughly collect and analyze evidence, leading to unreliable conclusions.

Crude oil derivatives

Refined petroleum products (gasoline, kerosene, diesel) that are complex mixtures of thousands of organic compounds.

Expert opinion

A professional judgment offered in court based on specialized knowledge, given to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty.

Reasonable degree of scientific certainty

A high level of confidence in a scientific conclusion, though not absolute proof.

Evidence bag

Container used to store evidence; mishandling can cause cross-contamination and loss or alteration of volatile substances.