ABSTRACT
This chapter explores how arson mythology in the fire investigation literature has influenced the development of the fire investigation profession. Over time, retirements and the effect of texts like National Fire Protection Association 921 and others, as well as court rulings overturning cases based on myths have reduced the prevalence of the myths in current practice. Large alligatoring should be considered an indication of the nearby presence of a flammable or combustible liquid. Perhaps a piece of crazed glass was observed near the known origin of a fire, and one influential investigator reached the wrong conclusion and repeated it to a large group of seminar attendees. Demarcation is one of the more complex myths in fire investigation because, in some instances, lines of demarcation can be used to tell exactly what happened, whereas in other instances, lines of demarcation are just lines.
