Advances in Arson-Science Ignite Change in Investigation Techniques & Hope for Wrongfully-Convicted

Advances in arson science are spearheading changes in the way investigators interpret evidence from fire scenes.  Along the way, those who claim innocence to arson convictions are finding new hope.  The Philadelphia Inquirer featured a detailed, story on several cases in Pennsylvania, a couple of them capital, where the last decade's advances in fire scene analysis have cast doubt on convictions for arson and arson-murder.  One featured case is Han Tak Lee, imprisoned for over 15 years for setting the fire which killed his teenage daughter.  The application for allowance of appeal (state court equivalent of certiorari) on post-conviction is pending before the Pennsylvania state supreme court. Story here. . . [Michele Berry, thanks to Peter Goldberger]