You are the lead investigator for a suspicious fire in the Novandon Fur Warehouse, which was cold storage for mink and sable fur coats. The fire scene investigative team tells you that the fire started in several points simultaneously, and it appears the telephone line that monitors the fire detection equipment has been cut. The fire was fully involved by the time the fire department arrived. The warehouse and the contents are a complete loss. You must consider the direction that your investigators must take to determine the possible motives for this fire. Direct them to look in at least 3 directions for a motive. Keep in mind the type of warehouse this was.Concerning the owner of the warehouse, what documentation would you get to help you establish potential motives? Why? When interviewing the owner of the warehouse, what specific threats might you ask about? Why? How would the owner's responses be helpful?

I would ask the owner for the following documents:

• Property Insurance documents - could establish a motive for arson
• Obtain a statement from owner concerning his whereabouts prior, during, and after the fire
• Ask owner for info on video camera surveillance located at the warehouse - could lead to critical evidence of who or what started the fire
• Obtain an employee roster and the worker schedule prior to the fire - was anyone in the building before or during the fire
• Obtain records on phone lines and repairs - may shed light on why phone lines were cut
• Subpoena personal and business financial records for the owner - to see if there was a financial motive for arson
• Check all social media accounts of the owner
• Subpoena cell phone or computer records of owner or managers - if reasonable or probable cause for arson is established

When interviewing the owner, I would ask him the following questions:

• Did he have any enemies or people who have threatened him recently? Fellow employees? Did he recently terminate an employee?
• Did he have any gambling problems?
• Does he have any personal or business financial problems?
• Has he or any other employees observed any suspicious activity at or in the warehouse recently?

The owner's responses and how he answered them would be greatly beneficial to the investigation as it may point to a motive for arson.

Step-by-step explanation

I based my entire answer on my years of experience serving as a police officer and detective. I handled many arson or suspected arson cases during my career working in conjunction with the Fire Department. It was always imperative that these questions were asked of the owner of a property to rule out possible criminal activity.