Protecting Evidence Fire Cause Determination

Fire departments should investigate all fires to determine the cause of the fire. The cause of a fire is a combination of three factors Fuel that ignited Fuel that ignited Form and source of heat ignition Form and source of heat ignition Act or omission that helped to bring these two factors together Act or omission that helped to bring these two factors together Introduction

We must protect evidence at the scene in order to properly analyze the fire cause. Knowing the cause of the fire helps prevent fires in the future. As fire incidents decrease, so do loss of life and adverse economic impacts. Introduction Continued

Though it is the responsibility of the fire department to extinguish the fire, the results of this extinguishment may impair the investigation into the cause. Firefighter’s actions may move evidence from original locations or completely destroy the evidence. Introduction Continued

The Fire Chief has the legal responsibility to investigate or cause the investigation of all fire scenes. Firefighters should be able to recognize and preserve evidence when possible Firefighters should keep open mind when doing overhaul and try to uncover and preserve evidence at that point. Responsibilities Of The Firefighter

The first arriving firefighters may be able to answer important questions The first arriving firefighters may be able to answer important questions Are the contents of the rooms as they normally would be? Are the rooms ransacked or are they bare? Are the contents of the rooms as they normally would be? Are the rooms ransacked or are they bare? Are the doors and windows locked or open? Is there evidence of forced entry prior to the arrival of the fire department? Are the doors and windows locked or open? Is there evidence of forced entry prior to the arrival of the fire department? Are there indications of unusual fire behavior or more than one area of origin? Are there indications of unusual fire behavior or more than one area of origin? Are vehicles present or people present in the area? Are vehicles present or people present in the area?

Questions ?

Role of the Investigator Fire Marshal’s, fire inspector’s, or other members of a fire prevention bureau are usually responsible for carrying out investigations above the company level. Fire Marshal’s, fire inspector’s, or other members of a fire prevention bureau are usually responsible for carrying out investigations above the company level. Firefighters can be questioned by the investigators. Firefighters can be questioned by the investigators.

Role of the Investigator Some departments do in house investigations while others rely on arson teams, police departments, State Fire Marshal’s or a combination of all these Some departments do in house investigations while others rely on arson teams, police departments, State Fire Marshal’s or a combination of all these

Role of the Investigator Private companies may conduct separate investigations when a fire involves their property, or the investigation may be conducted by an insurance company investigator. Private companies may conduct separate investigations when a fire involves their property, or the investigation may be conducted by an insurance company investigator.

Observations of the Emergency Responders Observations en route to scene. Observations en route to scene. Your responsibility for gathering information begins when the alarm is received. Your responsibility for gathering information begins when the alarm is received. Some of those observations include: Some of those observations include: Time of day Time of day Weather and natural hazards Weather and natural hazards Man-Made barriers Man-Made barriers People leaving the scene People leaving the scene

Observations upon arrival Time of arrival and extent of fire Time of arrival and extent of fire Wind direction and velocity Wind direction and velocity Doors or windows locked or unlocked Doors or windows locked or unlocked Location of the fire Location of the fire Containers or cans present Containers or cans present Burglary tools Burglary tools Familiar Faces Familiar Faces

Observations During Firefighting Unusual odors Unusual odors Abnormal behavior of fire when water is applied Abnormal behavior of fire when water is applied Obstacles hindering firefighting Obstacles hindering firefighting Incendiary devices Incendiary devices Trailer Trailer Structural alterations Structural alterations Fire Patterns Fire Patterns Heat intensity Heat intensity Availability of Documents Availability of Documents Fire Detection and protection systems Fire Detection and protection systems Intrusion Alarms Intrusion Alarms Location of fire Location of fire Personal possessions Personal possessions Household Items Household Items

Responsibilities After the Fire Firefighters should report all facts concerning the fire to the Officer In Charge Firefighters should report all facts concerning the fire to the Officer In Charge Each firefighter should write a chronological account of important circumstances personally observed Each firefighter should write a chronological account of important circumstances personally observed Should perform salvage and overhaul carefully Should perform salvage and overhaul carefully

Conducts and Statement At The Scene Should never attempt to interrogate a potential arson suspect. Should never attempt to interrogate a potential arson suspect. Once you suspect a potential arsonist, you should call a trained investigator to conduct the interview process. Once you suspect a potential arsonist, you should call a trained investigator to conduct the interview process. Let the building owners talk freely they may give pertinent information that can aide the investigation. Let the building owners talk freely they may give pertinent information that can aide the investigation.

Conducts and Statement At The Scene Fire personnel should never make statements of accusation, personal opinion, or probable cause to anyone. Fire personnel should never make statements of accusation, personal opinion, or probable cause to anyone. Careless joking, or unauthorized remarks can be very embarrasing to the department Careless joking, or unauthorized remarks can be very embarrasing to the department Always answer with “ The cause is under investigation.” Always answer with “ The cause is under investigation.”

Securing the Fire Scene The best investigation is ruined if the building and premises are not properly secured and guarded until the investigator has finished evaluating the evidence exactly as it appeared at the scene. The best investigation is ruined if the building and premises are not properly secured and guarded until the investigator has finished evaluating the evidence exactly as it appeared at the scene. Should take time not to contaminate the scene while operating power tools, hoselines, or other equipment Should take time not to contaminate the scene while operating power tools, hoselines, or other equipment

Securing the Fire Scene If investigator is not immediately available, the premises should be guarded and kept under the control of the fire department until all evidence has been collected. If investigator is not immediately available, the premises should be guarded and kept under the control of the fire department until all evidence has been collected. All evidence should be marked, tagged, and photographed at this time. All evidence should be marked, tagged, and photographed at this time.

Securing the Fire Scene Fire department has the authority to bar access to any building during firefighting operations and for a reasonable length of time after the fire suppression is terminated. Fire department has the authority to bar access to any building during firefighting operations and for a reasonable length of time after the fire suppression is terminated. Fire department authority ends when the last fire department representative leaves the scene. Fire department authority ends when the last fire department representative leaves the scene. Further visits to the scene require either the owner’s written permission or a search warrant. Further visits to the scene require either the owner’s written permission or a search warrant. Never allow anyone to enter structure without the permission of the investigator Never allow anyone to enter structure without the permission of the investigator

Legal Considerations Once you leave the scene completely you may need a search warrant to re-enter. Once you leave the scene completely you may need a search warrant to re-enter. Leave at least one person on scene until the arrival of investigations. Leave at least one person on scene until the arrival of investigations. Learn legal opinions of your jurisdiction pertaining to the investigation and cordoning of property. Learn legal opinions of your jurisdiction pertaining to the investigation and cordoning of property.

Protecting and Preserving Evidence Protect evidence untouched and undisturbed if at all possible. Protect evidence untouched and undisturbed if at all possible. Don’t gather or handle the evidence unless it is absolutely necessary in order to preserve it. Don’t gather or handle the evidence unless it is absolutely necessary in order to preserve it. If you handle or move it you become part of the chain of custody If you handle or move it you become part of the chain of custody Document all your actions pertaining to the evidence collected. Document all your actions pertaining to the evidence collected.

Protecting and Preserving Evidence Avoid walking on evidence Avoid walking on evidence Avoid excessive use of water in area of evidence if possible Avoid excessive use of water in area of evidence if possible Place boxes over footprints to prevent dust from covering them or other people stepping on them. Place boxes over footprints to prevent dust from covering them or other people stepping on them. Leave charred documents found in containers such as wastebaskets, small file cabinets, and binders. They can easily be moved for examination later. Leave charred documents found in containers such as wastebaskets, small file cabinets, and binders. They can easily be moved for examination later.

Questions