Forensics Investigating arson can be a very complicated and complex job, as you learned in the unit! It is also generally a time sensitive matter. Forensic scientists who investigate arson must not only act quickly, but also methodically.

In order to practice how you would respond during an arson investigation, you will be creating a ‘game plan’ or ‘fire investigation timeline’ for what you would do upon arriving at the scene of a fire. Using what you learned in the unit as well as any necessary online research, you will articulate each step that would take place during your investigation. Be sure to number your steps and keep in mind any unexpected situations that might occur.

For example: “First, I would want to find the fire’s origin and look for signs of accelerant use. If I was able to locate the origin, I would do my best to preserve the area. If not, …”

Your ‘timeline’ should be detailed but it does not need to be as extensive as a research paper or essay. You can format your timeline however you like – as an actual timeline, a bulleted list, or short paragraphs as long as you include a clear format like first, second, third, etc. Be sure to include at least six steps.

You can create your ‘timeline’ in a word processing program or a slide presentation. You will be graded on the accuracy of your timeline as well as mechanics and grammar. For more details, see the rubric below.