Essentials of Fire Fighting, 5th Edition Chapter 18 — Protecting Fire Scene Evidence Firefighter I

Chapter 18 Lesson Goal After completing this lesson, the student shall be able to identify indicators of an incendiary fire and protect and preserve evidence after a fire following the policies and procedures set forth by the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). Firefighter I

Specific Objectives 1. Describe signs and indications of an incendiary fire. 2. Summarize important observations to be made en route, after arriving at the scene, and during fire fighting operations. 3. Discuss firefighter conduct and statements at the scene. (Continued) Firefighter I

Specific Objectives 4. Explain firefighter responsibilities after the fire. 5. Discuss protecting and preserving evidence. Firefighter I

Determining Cause In most jurisdictions the fire chief has the legal responsibility for determining the cause and origin of a fire. Delegates this authority to the fire officers and firefighters at the scene (Continued) Firefighter I

Determining Cause Proper training enables firefighters to recognize and collect important information First-arriving firefighters are in a position to observe unusual conditions that may indicate an incendiary fire Firefighter I

First-arriving Firefighters Should Note Vehicles and people present in the area Status of doors and windows Evidence of forced entry by anyone other than firefighters Contents of the rooms Indications of unusual fire behavior or more than one point of origin Firefighter I

Observations En Route Time of day Weather and natural hazards Barriers People leaving the scene Firefighter I

Observations Upon Arrival Time of arrival and extent of fire Wind direction and velocity Doors or windows locked or unlocked Location of the fire (Continued) Firefighter I

Observations Upon Arrival Containers or cans Burglary tools Familiar faces Firefighter I

Observations During Fire Fighting Operations Unusual odors Abnormal behavior of fire when water is applied Obstacles hindering fire fighting (Continued) Firefighter I

Observations During Fire Fighting Operations Incendiary devices Trailers Structural alterations Fire patterns (Continued) Firefighter I

Observations During Fire Fighting Operations Heat intensity Availability of documents Fire detection and protection systems Intrusion alarms Location of fire (Continued) Firefighter I

Observations During Fire Fighting Operations Personal possessions Household items Equipment or inventory Business records Firefighter I

Conduct and Statements at the Scene Firefighters should obtain as much information as possible Owners or occupants of the property should be allowed to talk freely (Continued) Firefighter I

Conduct and Statements at the Scene Firefighters should not attempt to interrogate a potential arson suspect unless trained and authorized Firefighters should refrain from expressing personal opinions (Continued) Firefighter I

Conduct and Statements at the Scene After the investigator arrives, firefighters should make statements only to this individual (Continued) Firefighter I

Conduct and Statements at the Scene Public statement regarding fire cause should be made only after The investigator and ranking fire officer have agreed to its accuracy and validity Have given permission for it to be released Firefighter I

Responsibilities After the Fire Firefighters should report their observations to their supervisor Firefighters should not discuss their observations with other crew members Improperly done overhaul operations can be detrimental to the investigation Firefighter I

Securing the Fire Scene Fire department has the authority to deny access to any building During fire fighting operations For a reasonable length of time after fire suppression is terminated (Continued) Firefighter I

Securing the Fire Scene If an investigator is not immediately available, the fire department or other lawful authority should keep control of the premises until all evidence has been collected (Continued) Firefighter I

Securing the Fire Scene Once all fire personnel leave the scene, a search warrant or written consent to search will be required to reenter the premises (Continued) Firefighter I

Securing the Fire Scene Fire personnel should not allow anyone to enter a fire scene without the investigator’s permission The premises can be secured and protected in several ways (Continued) Firefighter I

Securing the Fire Scene Cordoning can be accomplished with rope or specially designed fire and police line tape Firefighter I

Protecting and Preserving Evidence Protect evidence by keeping it untouched and undisturbed until an investigator arrives Do not gather or handle evidence unless it is absolutely necessary in order to preserve it (Continued) Firefighter I

Protecting and Preserving Evidence If firefighters handle or procure evidence, they then become a link in the chain of custody for that evidence Evidence must remain undisturbed except when absolutely necessary for the extinguishment of the fire (Continued) Firefighter I

Protecting and Preserving Evidence Firefighters must avoid trampling over possible evidence and obliterating it The same precaution applied to the excessive use of water may help avoid similar unsatisfactory results (Continued) Firefighter I

Protecting and Preserving Evidence Human footprints and tire marks must be protected; use cardboard boxes (Continued) Firefighter I

Protecting and Preserving Evidence Protect completely or partially burned papers found in a furnace, stove, or fireplace by immediately closing dampers and other openings Leave charred documents found in containers (Continued) Firefighter I

After Evidence Has Been Collected After evidence has been properly collected by an investigator, debris may be removed Remove charred materials to prevent the possibility of rekindle and to help reduce smoke damage (Continued) Firefighter I

After Evidence Has Been Collected Unburned materials can be separated from the debris and cleaned Firefighter I

Summary Before an investigation into the origin and cause of a fire can be conducted, there must be evidence to evaluate. (Continued) Firefighter I

Summary As a firefighter, one of the most important responsibilities is to avoid disturbing or destroying evidence while fighting the fire. In the area of origin appropriate caution must be used when spraying water, moving debris, and even walking around. (Continued) Firefighter I

Summary Once the area of origin is known, a more thorough investigation can be conducted to determine the exact cause of the fire. (Continued) Firefighter I

Summary As a firefighter, it may be necessary to determine the cause of the fire; more likely, firefighters may be assigned to assist their supervisor or a fire investigator in making that determination. (Continued) Firefighter I

Summary If the fire origin and cause investigation reveals evidence of arson, the property becomes a crime scene and must be treated as one. Firefighters must cooperate fully with whoever is assigned to investigate the crime. Firefighter I

Review Questions 1. What observations should be made en route? 2. What observations should be made upon arrival? 3. What observations should be made during firefighting operations? (Continued) Firefighter I

Review Questions 4. What actions should firefighters take after a fire? 5. Why is protecting evidence important? Firefighter I