REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (WHNT) — Prosecutors from across the country were on Redstone Arsenal Wednesday, getting an up-close look at crime scene evidence that they normally wouldn’t see until it hit the courtroom.
The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Fire Investigation and Arson Enforcement Division demonstrated different ways someone might light a malicious fire.
“We consider arson a very violent crime,” said ATF Fire Investigation & Arson Enforcement Division Chief James Panos.
About 30 prosecutors from local, state and federal jurisdictions took part in the ATF class, learning how fire investigators would look at a scene.
“We want these prosecutors to understand the science behind these fires,” Panos said. “When they present them in court, they have a better understanding of these fires, and hopefully that helps them in presenting their case.”
Class participants said they were surprised how quickly the fires burned once lit.
“We definitely get a lot of feedback about, even things simple as smoke detectors, how fast the smoke detector goes off or how fast the fire progresses across a couch,” Panos said.
The details may seem small, but they tell the story of how a fire burns. When prosecuting a case, it’s the information that determines whether an arsonist is guilty.
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