Academic Year: 2024 - 25
Assessment Introduction:
On 17th February, 2004, Cameron Todd Willingham was executed by the State of
Texas for allegedly setting a fire which killed his three young daughters, on 23rd
December 1991. He always claimed his innocence, and the arson investigation used
to convict him was questioned by internationally renowned fire science experts,
before the execution. Since 2004, further evidence in the case has led to the
inescapable conclusion that Willingham did not set the fire for which he was
executed.
“The use of erroneous methods of determining origin and cause of fire has led to
many other grave miscarriages of justice, resulting in innocent people spending
decades in prison for alleged crimes they did not commit.”

Discuss this statement, citing other examples of wrongful arson convictions and
critically analyse the flawed science and other factors involved.

The word limit is 2,000 words (+/-10%). This excludes footnotes but includes quotations
This assessment is worth [40%] of the overall module mark and should take around 60
hours of independent study to complete.

Preparing for your assignment.
Refer to the Module Information Pack to understand the Learning Outcomes and
Marking Criteria.
Remember, this is a critical analysis assignment, designed to test your understanding of
the topic.
Feedback Guidance:
Reflecting on Feedback: how to improve.
From the feedback you receive, you should understand:
• The grade you achieved.
• The best features of your work.
• Areas you may not have fully understood.
• Areas you are doing well but could develop your understanding.
• What you can do to improve in the future - feedforward.
Use the WISER: Academic Skills Development service. WISER can review feedback and
help you understand your feedback. You can also use the WISER Feedback Glossary
Next Steps:
• List the steps have you taken to respond to previous feedback.
• Summarise your achievements
• Evaluate where you need to improve here (keep handy for future work):