Introduction

This is an introduction to a book about fire investigation errors. The author, an experienced fire investigator, recounts a case where he helped exonerate a defendant wrongly accused of arson. He explains how fire investigators, often lacking scientific backgrounds, can misinterpret evidence and make erroneous conclusions. The author describes the complexity of structure fires, including the phenomenon of flashover, and how this can lead to misidentification of a fire's origin. He outlines seven common sources of error in fire investigation. These errors can have severe consequences, including wrongful convictions and denied insurance claims. The author emphasizes the importance of understanding fire behavior and critically examining evidence. He aims to equip readers with skepticism when presented with claims of arson, likening this skill to Carl Sagan's “Baloney Detector.” The foreword sets the stage for a book that will detail numerous cases of fire investigation errors and their impacts on individuals’ lives.