Over the course of recent years, arson investigation has undergone broad changes. In today’s world, the burden of proof relies on fire investigators to provide the most solid foundation of truth by way of physical and circumstantial evidence when presenting a case. In past years, cases related to arson had favorable outcomes with standalone circumstantial evidence and expert witnesses. One of histories’ more famous arson cases, Cameron Todd Willingham, a father convicted and executed of setting his house on fire and killing his three young children in 1991. Authorities solely relied on the testimony of the lead arson investigator from within the State Fire Marshalls office who concluded, Willingham started the fire by using accelerants.…show more content… In addition, investigators must employ scientific based evidence collection, submit thorough and complete documentation and follow the national Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921 guidelines. For these reasons, fire investigators are relying on newer technology that enhances their ability to conduct a solid scientific based investigation. A proven technology used in the petroleum industry and in basic science called Gas Chromatography/Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC/IRMS) may become the next quantum leap for arson investigation and recently added to the tool box of the fire investigator (Jasper, Edwards, Ford, & Corry, 2002, para. 5). The use of a mass spectrometer as the detector in gas chromotagraphy was developed during the 1950s by James and martin in 1952 ("Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry," 2016, para.
