INVESTIGATION OF EXTERNAL (VISUAL) SIGNS OF FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE LIQUIDS DETECTED AT THE SCENE OF FIRE

The article purpose is to systematize the external (visual) signs of the use of flammable and combustible liquids as a combustion intensifier at the scene of fire and the methodology of the analysis of these signs to provide reasonable, reliable conclusions when conducting forensic examination in the forensic specialty 10.8. Research on the circumstances of fire occurrence and spread and compliance with fire safety requirements. A particular relevance of using a set of special knowledge while investiga- tion of crimes related to fires is explained by the fact that almost only conclu- sions of forensic examinations make it possible to establish the very fact of the commission of such a crime as arson. The analysis of forensic practice showed that a significant part of crimes related to fires occurs when flammable and com- bustible liquids are used. At the same time, a reliable establishment of the fact of flammable liquids and combustible liquids use as intensifiers (initiators and ac- celerators) of burning is a crucial, key factor that must be defined for the inves- tigation completeness. The fact of determining unpredicted release of flammable and combustible liquids in the area of fire is a direct indication of committing a crime, yet this sign is quite often the only proof of the criminal nature of fire. However, the establishment of the fact of the use of flammable and combusti- ble liquids usually occurs during the analysis of quite specific visible signs left at the fire scene. In the suggested paper, the authors systematized the external (visual) signs of the use of flammable and combustible liquids as an intensifier of combustion at the fire scene and a methodology for the analysis of all these signs to provide reasonable and reliable conclusions when conducting forensic examinations in the forensic specialty 10.8 Research on the circumstances of fire occurrence and spread and compliance with fire safety requirements.