Pennsylvania v. Paul Camiolo—Innocent Gasoline

Paul Camiolo was wrongfully accused of arson and murder following a 1996 house fire in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, that killed his parents. Despite his account of the incident, local investigators believed they found evidence of gasoline use and accused Camiolo of setting the fire. ATF Special Agent Steven Avato disagreed with this assessment, believing the fire was accidental. Camiolo was indicted in 1999, facing a potential death penalty. The author, along with other experts, was brought in to consult on the case. The investigation revealed that the gasoline detected in the house was actually from a floor refinishing job done in the 1970s, when gasoline was commonly used as a solvent due to its low cost. This finding, along with the presence of lead in the floor samples (indicating old gasoline), led to the charges against Camiolo being dropped in December 1999 after ten months of imprisonment. The case highlighted the dangers of overzealous fire investigation and the importance of thorough scientific analysis. Despite his exoneration, Camiolo's subsequent civil suit against the county and his insurance company was dismissed.