THE RED FLAGS OF THE FRAUD FIRE

Presented by;

Richard Harris, CFEI, CFII, CFC, CPI, FCIDirector of Fire Services

National Forensic Consultants, Inc.Toll Free: (800) 738-7620

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INCENDIARY SETS

Plastic containers in attic or unusual locations within structure.Trailers - Long trails of fast-burning materials used to spread a fire throughout a structure. (cloth, paper, wax wrap)Odors of flammable liquids or other unusual odors.Extreme burning to the floor areas.

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MULTIPLE ORIGINS

Fires which are unconnected and stand independent of each other.

Example:Fire in Bedroom and Bathroom.Areas with rooms in between where no heat or fire travel has made a connection.

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RECENT COVERAGE INCREASE

Policy holder increases coverage and then a fire occurs.Recent purchase of policy where none has existed before.Renters in a rush to purchase content coverage just prior to fire.Property without coverage is for sale and coverage is obtained.

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PRIOR FIRES

Policy holder is extremely unlucky and seems to have fires every few years.Family has a history of fire losses.Several small fires in past.

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FIRES AT SUSPICIOUS HOURS

While incendiary fires can and will occur at any hour of the day, fires originating between the hours of midnight and three A.M. seem to have a higher possibility of

being intentional set fires.

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FIRE JUST PRIOR TO POLICY EXPIRING

Insured receives notice of cancellation within thirty day.When this occurs, the insured is having financial problems, can not afford new coverage and looks at a fire as a way out.

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ABSENCE OF CONTENT ITEMS

Insured has been moving furniture into storage.Substitution of content items.(mattress on floor)Fires where contents from one fire scene have been placed into another building.Absence of personal items. (Photographs, guns, personal papers)Homeowners Policy in Insured’s pocket.

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OBSOLETE OR UNUSABLE ITEMS

If you can not sell it and there is no demand, the owner has lost the investment of the product. A fire sells the product to the insurance company.Fires in seasonal business.Out of date stock.Damaged Products.

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OCCUPANTS LEAVE PRIOR TO FIRE

Occupant or business owner is seen leaving within minutes smoke or fire coming from the windows and doors.Owner is caught locking the door as smoke billows from the building.Owner is seen running from the building just prior to a major fire or explosion.

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OCCUPANT IS BURNED DURING FIRE

Arsonist setting fires are sometimes caught in the act of setting their house or business on fire as the fire erupts rapidly.Location of burns may be important.

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UNUSUAL DISTURBANCE

Loud voices.Dog barking.Automobiles speeding away.Strangers and strange vehicles in area.

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UNUSUAL LOCATIONOF FIRE

Fire is located in the middle of the floor, hallway or in closets.Fire located in areas where there is nothing which would ordinarily cause a fire.Fire on Cabinets, tables where there is no ordinary cause for a fire.

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LOCATION OF APPLIANCES

Is it normal for the curling iron to be in the bed?Where is the toaster and what is its condition?Lamps found in Chairs or couches?Abnormal items in Microwave?Abnormal items on Stove or in

Oven?

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UNUSUAL DAMAGE TO FUEL LINES

Metal fuel lines to vehicle or appliance show evidence of being cut or crimped.Metal gas line manually manipulated by human design.This can also apply to Electrical Wiring.

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OPEN GAS JETS OR LINES

Owner moved appliance but did not turn off the gas or recap. Rags stuffed around open line will provide some time delay.This may lead to explosion and fire.

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SUSPICIOUS COMMENTS

During an interview, one homeowner stated, “No big deal, I’ve got insurance” or

“Now we can afford a vacation/new car, etc.”

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LIQUIDATION OF ESTATE

OR BUSINESS

Heir propertyDivorce - Wife gets house, insurance in both names.Business partners dissolve partnership.New competition in neighborhood.Run down estate, worthless for sale.

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CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS

Land worth more than structure.Structure needs major repair.Utilities disconnected by Building Official’s orders.

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CONTROVERSIES

Controversies between contractors or owner.Contractor is paid but does not finish job.Owner can not afford the property.

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FIRE DURING RENOVATION

Insurance company will pay for remodeling.Remodel costs higher than anticipated, owner unable to finish.Structure in unfinished state prompting homeowner to burnUsually fire is confined to room being re-modeled.

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BUSINESS THEFTS/EMBEZZLEMENT

Employees may start fire in business to cover-up the loss of merchandise or documents which would indicate

embezzlement of cash or checks.

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INSURED HAS LARGE LEGAL FEES

Insured has recently been convicted of crime and is being sent to prison. Insured who has experienced large medical fees will also fall into this scenario.Insured currently separated or in the

process of divorce.

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HOLIDAY FIRES

Fire originated on Christmas Day, the thought is that fire fighters and law enforcement officers are in a hurry to return home to their family and friends. The arsonist

may even receive sympathy regarding the loss. He is in hope no one will question his loss because of the

timing.

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UNCLE BOB GOT PAID QUICKLY

Fires where relatives received a quick, no questions asked insurance settlement.Family members, Uncle, Aunts, Cousins have all had total fire losses.

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HOME FOR SALE - REDUCED !

The fire here is a quick out of the property, the structure is sold to the insurance company and the owner retains the land.Property is located in a declining area where insurance on property is worth more than market value.

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FIRE DURING FORECLOSURE

The owner who is behind on his note would rather collect on the insurance than loose their entire investment.

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MULTIPLE POLICIES

Multiple policies on property for no real reason.

Insured hopes to collect more money by collecting

on all policies.

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ARSON IN THE UNITED STATES

Arson is the leading cause of fire.Over 65% of arson fires are set outside. 20% are set in structures, and most of the remainder or about 15% are set in vehicles.Arson accounts for 14% of all fire injuries and 10% of all fire deaths.Arson is the second-leading cause of property damage.

Source: US. Fire Administration

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MOTIVES FOR ARSON

Vandalism SpiteRevengeConcealment of other crimesFinancial ProblemsCivil disorder Hate related crimes Gang initiation PyromaniaSuicideMurder

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Richard Harris started his work in the Public Safety field since 1979. He excelled through the ranks to Chief of Department for a large Public Safety Agency in Michigan. He has over 17 years in the Public Sector and over 18 years in the Private Sector. He has a BS in Fire Safety Management and a MS in Fire Science. He holds National Credentials as a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Certified Fire Investigator Instructor (CFII), Certified Fraud Consultant (CFC), Certified Professional Investigator (CPI) as well as a Florida Certified Investigator (FCI). He has testified as an Expert witness numerous times in the areas of Fire Origin & Cause, Fire Codes, Fire Suppression, Fire Tactics, SOPs, Auto Accident Reconstruction, Homicide and DUI. He instructs classes Nationally on Marketing Techniques, Fire Origin & Cause, Legal Issues, Expert Testimony, Examinations Under Oath, Surveillance and many other subjects.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

FIRE & FORENSIC EXPERT

Richard Harris

Director of Fire Services

Office: (407) 382-2403

Cell: (813) 299-8066

Copyright 2011©

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