• Preparing the Investigative File
  
  • General

"The Investigative File: Public Agency," Working Paper by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire.

"The Investigative File: Insurance Company," Working Paper by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire.

"Documenting the Fire Scene: A Legal Perspective," Working Paper by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire (1998).

NFPA 906: Guide for Fire Incident Field Notes

Verdict: Guilty of Burning - What Prosecutors should know about arson, The Insurance Committee For Arson Control. May, 1996.

"Using Technology to Fight Insurance Fraud," D. Finnegan & J. Marsh, Quality Planning Corp., 1996.

Prepare Your Case File

Prepare Your CV/Resume

• Preparing Testimony
  
  • General

Wisconsin Court Affirms Arson Conviction Over Claim of Newly Discovered Evidence

"Origin and Cause: Legal Standards of Proof," Working Paper by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire.

Pre-Trial Events and Preparation. From Motive, Means and Opportunity.

"Trials of Testimony; The Importance Of Preparing For Deposition and Trial." Craig Simon, paper.

"Top 10 Reasons Why Prosecutors Reject Arson Cases," Firehouse. August, 1995.

"Admissibility of Prior Fires and Other Insurance Claims in Civil Arson and Fraud Cases," The Insurance Committee For Arson Control. Annual Meeting, January 21, 1998.

"Subrogation - A Legal and Investigative Perspective," Inside Fire. Ward & Whitemore. July, 1996.

NFPA 921: Its Role in Fire Loss Litigation. Fire and Arson Investigator. Vol. 46, No. 3 (March 1996), p 6-11.

Scared of Science: Crime Labs' Work is Rarely Challenged by Defense Lawyers. National Fire & Arson Report. Vol. 15. No. 3 (September 1997). p 4+.

Hold Pre-Trial Conference With Attorney

• Depositions and Pre-Trial Proceedings
  
  • General

Sample Resume Prepared for Testifying

Sample Curriculm Vitae Prepared for Testifying

Pre-Trial Events and Preparation. From Motive, Means and Opportunity.

"The Investigative File: Public Agency," Working Paper by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire.

"The Investigative File: Insurance Company," Working Paper by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire.

"Pre Trial Events," Peter Beering. 1992.

Hold Pre-Trial Conference With Attorney

Give Deposition

• Expert Testimony in Court
  
  • General

Alabama Supreme Court Finds Cause of Fire is a Jury Question

Eighth Circuit Upholds Striking of Expert Testimony

Wisconsin Court Affirms Arson Conviction Over Claim of Newly Discovered Evidence

First Circuit Discusses the Importance of Motive in an Arson Ship Fire

Ohio Court Upholds Arson Finding of Juvenile

New York Court Reverses Judgment Based on Recent Gas Work

Second Circuit Rejects Expert's Testimony As Speculation

Connecticut Upholds Arson Murder Conviction Allowing Expert Testimony on Injuries Only Caused to Skin Burned Away

Sample Resume Prepared for Testifying

Sample Curriculm Vitae Prepared for Testifying

Expert Testimony in an Arson Case. From Motive, Means and Opportunity.

"Courtroom Procedures," Working Paper by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire.

"Expert Testimony in an Arson Case," Working Paper by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire.

Expert testimony: pitfalls and privileges. National Fire & Arson Report. Vol. 16, No. 4 (December 1997).

"Courtroom Demeanor," Peter Beering, 1992.

"The Daubert Decision and the Admissibility of Expert Testimony," Working Paper by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire.

Know Trial Procedures

Understand What Will Be Expected of You in Court

• Court Decisions Related to Fire and Arson
  
  • General

Privacy and Confidentiality Issues

PROCESS OF ELIMINATION APPROVED TO PERMIT MICROWAVE FIRE CASE TO PROCEED

(1) Ohio Appellate Court Upholds use of Process of Elimination to determine fire cause under NFPA 921

USDC Pennsylvania permits vaporizer fire case to proceed to trial

KY court permits fan fire case to proceed due to Elimination of all other potential causes for the fire

USDC NY holds failure to Comply with all of NFPA 921’s requirements did not bar expert’s testimony when he substantially complied

CLOTHES DRYER FIRE CASE EXPERT PERMITTED TO TESTIFY CASE TO PROCEED

Indiana Court Permits Expert to Testify About Alleged Design Defect in Refrigerator

New Hampshire District Court Permits Home Theatre System Fire Case to Proceed

Ship Explosion Verdict upheld by Louisiana Court of Appeals, Fourth CIrcuit

11th Circuit Permits FLA Dryer Fire Case to Proceed Under Malfunction Failure

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Upholds Jury Verdict finding Refrigerator Caused Fire Based on Circumstantial Evidence

Massachusetts Microwave Fire Case Can Proceed to Trial

Propane Radiant Heater Death Claim permitted to proceed

Ohio Fed CT Finds Inability to Rule out Human Activity Does NOT Mean an Incendiary Fire

Indiana Court Permits Plaintiff Experts to testify Refrigerator caused Fire

ALA. Dist Ct. approves use of Process of Elimination in Robe fire case

South Carolina Dist. Ct PermitsDESA Heating Model HD-15G toProceed to Trial

CA Ct App Finds Dismisses Tenant’s Fire Claim against Property Management Company for Indemnity

Georgia App. Ct permits wrongful death fire case to proceed against Department Electrical Inspector

FLA DIST CT Permits Expert to Offer Testimony based on Inspection

Fla Dist. Ct permits lightning fixture fire case to proceed

LA DIST CT Permits Fire Investigator to Testify Air Conditioner Caused Fire

FLA DIST CT Permits Expert to Offer Testimony based on Inspection

LA APP CT Affirms Wrongful Death Verdict against Landlord for Altered Fuse Box

Pennsylvania District Court upholds Malfunction Theory on Fire Cash Register loss

Corrugated Stainless Steel Tubing (CSST) Fire Case Permitted to Proceed

CA CT of APPEALS UPHOLDS JURY FINDING THAT CIGARETTES CAUSED FIRE

KY CT of Appeals Permits Smoke Detector case to Proceed to Trial

NY DIST CT Permits Plaintiff's Experts to Testify the Coffee Maker Subject to Recalls Caused the Fire

Kentucky District Court permits fire case to proceed when other potential causes ruled out

Wash Supreme CT Permits Faulty Grounding System Fire Case to Proceed Against Engineers

Michigan Court of Appeals Upholds Trail Court's Finding Unsafe Boiler Operation Could Constitute an Intentional Tort

Fire Caused by negligence in installing Flues -Negligence finding imposed on non-appearing party

INDIANA COURT OF APPEALS UPHOLDS SUPPRESSION OF EVIDENCE SEIZED AFTER FIRE PUT OUT AND EXIGENCY COMPLETED

Indiana Court of Appeals Upholds Suppression of Evidence

Indiana Court of Appeals Upholds Suppression of Evidence Seized After Fire Put Out and Exigency Completed

CA CT Appeals Permits Fire Case Against Modifier of Ferrari to Proceed

Ohio Court Find Competing Fire Expert Testimony Requires a Trial Based on NFPA 921 Principles

CA CT of Appeals Permits suit over lost Evidence

Massachusetts Appellate Court permits IceBreaker 350 Plumbing Thawing case causing a fire to proceed

Missouri Supreme Court finds Pre and Post fire other incidents admissible in Ford gas tank case

SD Supreme Court Permits Expert Pyrolysis Testimony

NY Spontaneous combustion case

TX CT APPEALS PERMITS HALOGEN LAMP FIRE CASE TO PROCEED

MD CT PERMITS FIRE CASE AGAINST MANAGEMENT COMPANY FOR FIRE CODE VIOLATION EVEN THOUGH FIRE DETERMINED TO BE ARSON

OHIO TRIAL COURT ERRED IN EXCLUDING EXPERT'S FIRE TESTMONY MEETING 921'S REQUIREMENTS

10TH CIRCUIT PERMITS EXPERT TO TESTIFY OVER DAUBERT OBJECTION

COLO. CT APPEALS HOLDS WILLFUL AND WANTON CONDUCT MAY OVERCOME FIRE ALARM LIMITATION OF LIABILITY CONTRACT PROVISION

CONN TRIAL CT FINDS ELECTRICITY IS A PRODUCT FOR PURPOSES OF CONN. PRODUCT LIABILITY LAW

NY CT PERMITS HEATER OPERATED UPSIDE DOWN CASE TO PROCEED

Utah Ct App-Fire Expert Testimony not Required of Plaintiff in Fire Insurance Loss

ED PA Dist Ct Permits Expert to Testify on his Speed Deactivation Control Switch Investigation

FOURTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS RECOGNIZES DUTY OF SUBCONTRACTOR TO PERFORM "SOAP AND WATER TEST" ON CONNECTION BETWEEN HOME FURNACE AND GAS LINE SYSTEM EVEN THOUGH CONTRACT WITH GENERAL CONTRACTOR DID NOT REQUIRE TESTING THE GAS LINE SYSTEM FOR LEAKS BEFORE ACTIVATION

TENTH CIRCUIT OVERTURNS DISTRICT COURT'S EXCLUSION OF EXPERT TESTIMONY ON MANUFACTURING DEFECT EVEN WHERE EXPERT DID NOT ADDRESS OPPOSING EXPERT'S EXPLANATIONS FOR WHY FIRE COULD NOT HAVE RESULTED FROM A DEFECT

MICHIGAN COURT RECOGNIZES RULE THAT ARSON CASES CAN BE PROVEN

EVIDENCE THAT STRIP MALL TENANT WAS ON NOTICE OF A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM ITS FLORESCENT FIXTURE AND THAT A MALFUNCTION IN THE FIXTURE "MAY" HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE, WAS ENOUGH TO FIND TENANT NEGLIGENT FOR FAILING TO INSPECT

Apartment Owner Liable for Injuries Tenant Sustained Trying to Escape Apartment During Fire Where Apartment Had No Working Smoke Alarms and Bars on Bedroom Windows

ILLINOIS COURT OF APPEALS REVERSES JURY VERDICT THAT WAS IN FAVOR OF GENERAL MOTORS BASED IN PART ON TRIAL COURT IMPROPERLY EXCLUDING PLAINTIFF'S EXPERTS' TESTIMONY WHERE PLAINTIFF'S EXPERTS DID NOT ACTUALLY CONDUCT TESTING TO SUPPORT THEIR DESIGN DEFECT CLAIMS

MAINE DISTRICT COURT REJECTS DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON PLAINTIFF'S STRICT PRODUCT LIABILITY AND NEGLIGENCE CLAIMS REGARDING FIRE CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE EXHAUST FAN UNDER MALFUNCTION AND RES IPSA LOQUITUR THEORIES, EVEN WHERE PLAINTIFF'S EXPERT ADMITS THAT HE IS NOT QUALIFIED TO OPINE WHETHER OR NOT THE FAN WAS DEFECTIVE

Arizona District Court Allows Expert Testimony that Fire Originated in Electrolux Freezer Even Though Expert Could Not Indentify the Specific Part that Failed

New York Court of Appeals Holds that Jury may find Manufacturer of a Refridgerator/Freezer Liable for Breach of Implied Warranties Based on Evidence that Fire Originated in Refridgerator/Freezer, even where Jury does not Find Evidence of a Defect in the Refridgerator/Freezer

New Jersey Court of Appeals Holds Fire Investigators are Entitled to Investigate Fire Scene Immediately After a Crime without Obtaining a Warrant

LA Supreme Ct Reinstates Finding Energy Company Liable for Negligently Maintaining Power Line

8th Circuit Upholds Fire Expert's Process of Elimination Opinion on Power Chair Fire

NJ APP. CT PERMITS DOWNED POWERLINE FIRE CASE TO PROCEED OVERCOMING CLAIM OF IMMUNITY

Texas Supreme Court Rejects Fire Expert's Testimony

Advisory Opinion of the State Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors

Alabama Supreme Court Bars Unlicensed Alabama Experts from Testifying

Rhode Island Court Permits Decedent's Video taped Deposition In Ford Ignition Switch Fire as to Location of the Fire

Fourth Circuit Reverses Case Permitting Linseed Caused Fire to Continue Against Tenants

Non-Combustible Sealant Fire Place Action Reinstated by Court

City Immune for Failure to Abate Known fire Hazard at Hotel

Wisconsin Court Of Appeals Upholds Stray Voltage Verdict Against Utility

West Virginia Supreme Court Recognizes Malfunction Theory by Process of Elimination

Mississippi Supreme Court Orders Retrial for Gas Leak Case

Fire Involving Hay Drying Fan is Permitted to Proceed

Tennessee Supreme Court Approves Experience-Based Opinions by Engineer

Blanket Manufacturer Not Liable for Fire Based on Failure of Expert to Rule out Other Potential Causes

Arkansas Court Upholds Expert's Exclusion for Failure to Rule Out Other Causes of Fire

Fire Blanket Manufacturer not Liable for Failure to Warn

Federal Government not Liable for Failure to Maintain Firebreaks they Delegated to Independent Contractor

West Virginia Court Permits Defect Case to go Forward though Car Destroyed

NY CT Orders Private Fire Investigator to Disclose Factual Observations of his Report

Iowa Supreme Court Permits Bystander to use Res Ipsa Loquitor to Prove Gas Leak Case -

Michigan Court Finds Mere Repairs to Heater Insufficient by Itself to Establish Liability

CA CT holds Owner may be liable for failing to provide fire extinguishers

Illinois Court Reverses Sanctions for Alleged Spoliation

Seventh Circuit Rejects Spoliation Claim

Louisiana Court Permits Civil Suit To Proceed Against City For Volunteer Firefighter's Acts Of Arson

Texas Court Upholds Judgment Heater Caused Fire

Tenth Circuit - Best Inference Testimony Fire Expert Permitted

Maine Court finds fire expert qualified based on his experience

Louisiana Court - Static Spark Causes Fire - Res Ipsa Instruction Should Have Been Given

Georgia Supreme Court Finds No Privacy Right In Fire Destroyed Trailer

Minnesota Court Approves Microhardness Test In Product Failure Case.

Alabama Supreme Court Reverses Spoliation Summary Judgment Permitting Case To Be Tried.

Connecticut Supreme Court Upholds Subrogation Action Against Guest Starting Fire By Misplacing Fire Place Ashes On Front Porch.

North Carolina Court Vacates Conviction For Burning Of Garage

New Jersey Permits Limited Class Action For Power Outages To Proceed

Florida Court Rejects Spoliation Claim When Litigation Merely Anticipated

Michigan Court Upholds Fire Spread Case Against Cleaners Of Exhaust System

Kentucky Surpeme Court Upholds Defendant's Testing Over Plaintiff’s Daubert Challenge

Seventh Circuit Affirms Conspiracy Arson Charges

Wisconsin Court Finds Product Liability Could Apply To Fire Case Though Modification

Texas Court Discusses Expert's Qualifications on Fire Causation

Tenth Circuit Excludes Expert Opinion

New York Court Of Appeals Rejects Third Party Spoliation Claim

Indiana Court Finds Failure To Preserve Arson Evidence Not Fatal

Ohio Court Finds Tree Expert's Testimony on Causation Unavailing

New York Court Reverses Dismissal for Alleged Spoliation

Louisiana Court Interprets Daubert Not Applicable to an Expert's Qualifications

Texas Court Upholds Expert’s Arson Opinion

Missouri State Court Reaffirms Daubert Not Applicable - Upholds Experts Arson Testimony

North Carolina Court Upholds Investigator's Opinion That Vegetable Oil Did Not Cause Fire

Tennessee Court Rejects Spoliation Lawsuit

Ninth Circuit Limits Cause and Origin Testimony

North Carolina Court Overturns Arson Finding

Glue Manufacturer Held Liable For Explosion Injuries

Kansas District Court Opinion On Daubert Challenge

Pennsylvania Court Discusses Spoliation of Evidence

Second Extension Cord Manufacturer Not liable When Earlier Claim Against Different Company

California Court Upholds Refusal to Give Res Ipsa Instruction

Eighth Circuit Affirms Arson Conviction

Michigan Court Rejects Expert's Opinion in Furnace Case

Arson Eye Witness Testimony Found Adequate

Fifth Circuit Finds Lighter Defective Design Case Could Proceed

Expert Not Entitled to Absolute Immunity and Could be Sued

NY Court Denies Motion to Dismiss Claim for Alleged Spoliation

Record Destruction did not Constitute Spoliation of Evidence

11th Cir. Reverses Church Arson Statute Conv

Arson Conv. Overturned on Appeal Leads to Investigator Civil Liability

1ST Cir. Upholds Verdict Based on Visual Inspection of Expert on Cause of Defect

Connecticut Court Finds Civil Arson Defense Does Not Require Proof of Motive

California Court Upholds Use of Prior Arson Acts in Unrelated Arson Trial

Defendant Can Be Liable for Murder Based On Death of Accomplice in Arson

Ninth Circuit Precludes Arson Prosecution Based on Insanity Finding

New Hampshire Court Discusses Effect of Loss of Arson Evidence

Fourth Circuit Reorders Sentencing Hearing On Arson Conviction

Ohio Supreme Court Permits Civil Action Against Fire Marshal to Proceed

MASS. CT Declines to Adopt Tort of Spoliation

First Circuit Upholds Arson Conviction Over Challenge To Expert's Testimony

California Court Finds Individual Apartments Not Separate Structures Under Arson Statue

Seventh Finds Expert's Testimony Should Have Been Excluded Under Daubert

Eighth Circuit Upholds Requirement That Product Be Defective When It Left Defendant's Possession

Second Circuit Dismisses Case for Brady Violation

Eighth Circuit Discusses Daubert And The Process Of Elimination

Fourth Circuit Finds Expert Opinion Needed To Establish Product Defect

Seventh Circuit Discusses Spoliation of Evidence

California Court Affirms Conviction for Setting Fire to Spouse Guilty of Torture

Fifth Circuit Finds Trial Court Erred In Striking Expert Testimony Under Daubert

Seventh Circuit Upholds Conspiracy to Commit Arson and Solicitation Charge

Illinois Appellate Court Upholds Arson And Murder Conviction Over Insanity Claim

Wisconsin Court Finds Evidence Sufficient for Arson Conviction

Massachusetts Court Permits Expert to Testify Over Daubert Type Challenge

Connecticut Supreme Court Reverses Arson Conviction

State Of Washington Affirms Attempted Arson Conviction

Nebraska Supreme Court Upholds Arson/Murder Conviction

Ninth Circuit Finds Brady Violation Related to Arson Allegation

Massachusetts Court Finds Failure to Obtain Defense Expert on Cause of Fire Not to Be Error

Sixth Circuit Reverses Sentence Enhancement for Arson Conviction

Fifth Circuit Notes City May be Liable for Fire Damages

Ninth Circuit Discusses Burden of Proof in Arson Defense on Insurance Claim

Seventh Circuit Court Upholds Enhancement for Use of Fire

California Court Finds Judge has Discretion to Strike Accelerant Enhancement

California Court Finds No Spoliation of Evidence

Fourth Circuit Discusses Impact of Spoliation

Nebraska Court Reverses Felony Arson Conviction

Alaska Court Affirms Verdict For Defendant Stove Manufacturer

Florida Court Affirms Minors Arson Conviction

Connecticut Court Finds No Liability for Hotel Clerk Related to A Fire

Texas Court Upholds Arson Conviction

Oregon Court Reverses Minor's Arson Conviction

District of Columbia Circuit Court Upholds Exclusion of Expert Testimony Under Daubert

Eighth Circuit Finds Exclusion of Expert Under Daubert was Error

Wisconsin Court Affirms Arson Conviction

Massachusetts Appellate Court Suppresses Minors Arson Confessions

New Hampshire Supreme Court Upholds Arson Conviction Supported by Audiotapes and Videotapes

Eighth Circuit Upholds Definition of Arson Includes Burning of Car

Ohio Appellate Court Upholds Aggravated Arson Conviction

Louisiana Supreme Court Permits Action for Power Surge Damage

Eighth Circuit Upholds Trial Court's Refusal to Admit Polygraph Refusal

Connecticut Court Upholds Finding Insured Committed Arson Denying Recovery Under Insurance Policy

Alaska Court Finds Failure to Warn About Propane Hazard A Jury Issue

Mississippi Supreme Court Upholds Murder Conviction By Arson

Texas Court Reverses Verdict for Plaintiff's in Gas Explosion

Expert's Burn Testimony Exclusion Upheld

Texas Court Reinstates Plaintiff's Claim of Phosgene Exposure

California Governor Signs Bill Amending The Firefighter's Rule

Sixth Circuit Upholds Arson Conviction Over Defense Objection on Failure to Preserve Evidence

The Circuit Finds Failure to Rescue Not a Civil Rights Violation

Texas Court Upholds Arson Conviction Based On Circumstantial Evidence

Massachusetts Supreme Court Finds Bulk Supplier Doctrine Defeats Plaintiff's Claims Arising Out of Explosion

Alabama Supreme Court Finds Plaintiff's Fire Expert Failed to Prove Case

Fourth Circuit Finds Use of Cars Sufficient to Meet Interstate Commerce Requirements Under Arson Statute

Louisiana Appellate Court Finds Electrical Shock Caused by Improper Maintenance

Arkansas Supreme Court Finds Hidden Danger Avoids Fireman's Rule

Fifth Circuit Holds Home Office Meets Interstate Requirement Under Federal Arson Statute

Texas Appellate Court Finds Explosion Case Caused by Gross Negligence Necessitating a Retrial

North Carolina Court Permits Battery Failure Case To Proceed

Florida Appellate Court Finds Spoliation Claim Should Have Been Permitted To Proceed

Ninth Circuit Requires Federal Officers to Permit Parent to Talk to Minor Before Questioning

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Upholds Use of Evidence Collected by Insurer for Later Arson Prosecution

Illinois Appellate Court Expands Spoliation Doctrine

Tenth Circuit Allows Suit to Proceed Against Fire Investigator For Civil Rights Violations

Maryland Court Affirms that Intended Arson and Reckless Endangerment Are Separate Offenses for Sentencing

U.S. Supreme Court Finds Use of Thermal Imager Without Warrant Improper

Wisconsin Court Affirms Conviction for Bomb Threat

Tennessee Court Reverses Arson Convictions

Virginia Court Upholds Arson Conviction Based on Circumstantial Evidence

Iowa Court Finds Faulty Welding Negligence Caused Fire

Connecticut Court Affirms Arson Conviction Finding Firefighters Endangered

Connecticut Court Affirms Arson Convictions Overcoming Defense Attack of Fire Investigation Testimony

South Carolina Court Affirms Finding Non-Prosecution for Arson Not Admissible in a Civil Action

Georgia Court Affirms Arson Conviction Involving a Death

Florida Court Reverses Arson Conviction

Iowa Supreme Court Discusses Spoliation Doctrine

Eighth Circuit Affirms Finding Of No Coverage For Fire

Michigan Court Upholds Verdict For Wrongful Death

New York Court Affirms Attempted Arson Charge For Tampering With Water Heater

Third Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Action Against Alarm Company

Pennsylvania Court Permits Action to Proceed Against Lighter Company

Iowa Court Affirms Arson Conviction

California Court Finds Stripped Mobile Home Sufficient to Support Arson of Structure

Louisiana Court Finds Power District Did Not Cause Flash Fire

Florida Court Reinstates Arson Charge

Fourth Circuit Vacates Summary Judgment for Negligence for Leaving Door Open Contributing to Fire

Alabama Supreme Court Finds Cause of Fire is a Jury Question

Ohio Court Finds Aggravated Arson and Arson Not Duplicative

Indiana Court Upholds Possession of a Bomb Charge

Massachusetts Court Overturns Arson Conviction

Wisconsin Court Affirms Arson Conviction Over Claim of Newly Discovered Evidence

Eighth Circuit Upholds Striking of Expert Testimony

California Supreme Court Finds Intoxication Not a Defense

Tenth Circuit Upholds Conviction for Cross Burning

Florida Appellate Court Reverses Attempted Arson Conviction

Second Circuit Permits Suit to Proceed Alleging Warning Inadequate on Danger of Flash Fire

New York Court Upholds Dismissal of Action for Spoliation of Evidence

Florida Appeal Court Discusses Sanctions for Spoliation of Evidence

New Jersey Court Reaffirms Spoliation Not A Recognized Tort But Admits Evidence of Destruction

Fourth Circuit Upholds Arson Conviction Over Claim No Interstate Commerce

Supreme Court Upholds Barring Suspect From Home Pending a Warrant

First Circuit Discusses the Importance of Motive in an Arson Ship Fire

First Circuit Upholds Jury Verdict Finding Heater Caused Fire at Spa

Alaska Court Reverses Arson Conviction For Questioning Violations

New Hampshire Supreme Court Affirms Arson Conviction Over Defendant's Objection of Evidence Destruction

Sixth Circuit Allows Claim For Failure to Advise Fire Was Arson

New York Court Permits Negligence Action To Proceed For Water Heater Fire

Ohio Court Upholds Arson Finding of Juvenile

Arkansas Court Affirms Arson Conviction Allowing Prior Arson Evidence

Minnesota Court Upholds Failure to Warn Claim Against Fireplace Insert Company

New Jersey Court Finds No Separate Cause of Action For Negligent Spoliation

New York Court Reverses Judgment Based on Recent Gas Work

Washington Court Affirms Arson Conviction

Tenth Circuit Affirms Federal Arson Convictions

Tenth Circuit Permits Civil Rights Action for Warrantless Seizure of Property

Illinois Court Upholds Fireman's Rule

New Jersey Court Upholds Spoliation Sanctions for Evidence Mishandling

Maryland Court Reverses Arson Conviction for Interrogation Violations

Montana Supreme Court Affirms Arson Conviction Finding Financial Motive of Co-Actor Admissible

Second Circuit Rejects Expert's Testimony As Speculation

North Carolina Court Finds Insurer Who Inspected After Loss May Have a Duty to Warn Of Dangers

New York Court Permits Action For Cracked Lugs Causing Electrical Injury

Iowa Supreme Court Reverses Verdict for Defendant Gas Company Ordering New Trial Because of Tank Defect

Iowa Court Affirms Incendiary Device Conviction Over Loss of Evidence Claim

Connecticut Upholds Arson Murder Conviction Allowing Expert Testimony on Injuries Only Caused to Skin Burned Away

ED PA Dist Ct Permits Expert to Testify on his Speed Deactivation Control Switch Investigation