Citation

Sturaro A, Vianello A, Denti P, Rella R. Sci. Justice 2013; 53(2): 201-205.

Affiliation

Institute for the Dynamics of Environmental Processes, C. N. R., C.so Stati Uniti 4, 35127 Padua Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Forensic Science Society, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.scijus.2012.08.002

PMID

23601729

Abstract

During the summer of 2010 near a little village in the south of Italy, a fire destroyed a piece of brushland without any apparent economic importance. The remains of a fire-setting tool were found at the point of origin of the fire. It was started using a well-planned and methodical approach. The analytical results demonstrated a sophisticated and effective incendiary tool designed to leave little evidence that could identify the offender. The action and the purpose of the arsonist were clear but the basic motivation was unpredictable. The burned area was without any relevant economical interest. It was burnt during the past and has not been used for any cultivation or sheep farming but in the region there was evidence of bushfires that had been lit to stimulate the growth of forest fruits to be harvested for sale.

Language: en