The scientific principles discussed pertain to the nature of combustion, fire spread and building construction, the identification and interpretation of fire signs, floor burn patterns and flammable liquids, "vee" patterns, fire causes, explosions and gas fires, and electrical fires. Chapters on fire-investigation procedures include one devoted to the investigation of motor vehicle fires. Chapters applicable to the investigation of all types of fires address photographic techniques and subjects, techniques of sketching and diagramming, evidence collection and preservation, interviews, and field notes and report writing. The second major section of the book addresses the development of the arson motive. Since one prevalent motive for arson is the fire insurance award, one chapter covers the nature of fire insurance and insurance company composition. A chapter then reviews the elements necessary to prove a fraudulent fire insurance claim. Other chapters address the investigator's development of the arson motive and searches of real estate and financial records to obtain data that will reveal a financial motive for arson. Appended glossaries of fire and real estate terms, an automobile fire inspection report, and a structural fire inspection form as well as a subject index