Forensic Aspects of Fire & Explosives Investigations

Arson

The criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.

Oxidation

A chemical reaction where a substance combines with oxygen, often producing new substances.

Combustion

A chemical process in which a substance reacts rapidly with oxygen and releases heat and light.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Exothermic Reaction

A reaction that releases energy in the form of heat and light.

Flash Point

The lowest temperature at which a liquid produces enough vapor to ignite.

Combustion Triangle

A model that illustrates the three necessary elements of fire: fuel, heat, and oxygen.

Gas Chromatography

An analytical technique used to separate and analyze compounds that can be vaporized.

Primary Explosives

Explosives that are highly sensitive to heat, shock, or friction, used to initiate detonation.

RDX (Research Department eXplosive)

A military explosive that is powerful and often found in plastic form (C-4).

TATP (Triacetone triperoxide)

A homemade explosive that can be made using acetone and peroxide.

Deflagration

The rapid combustion in which the speed of the reaction is less than the speed of sound.

Detonation

An extremely rapid combustion reaction producing a supersonic shock wave.