1. An Overview of the Firefighters role in Fire & Explosion Investigations
Paul Carolan

9. Fractured glass from window pane found on ground after fire
Fractured glass from window pane found on ground after fire. Note: no smoke stains – “Warning” sign on glass intact and not heat damaged – no curved fractures and all straight-line fractures -conclusion = mechanical damage prior to fire (break-in)

10. Types of Scenes
Fire
Explosion
EMS
Rescue

12. Each of these scenes could be a crime scene
and you are the 1st in!!!!
YIKES!

13. First In Firefighters are in a unique position to observe and note conditions and behaviour that maybe of critical importance in the investigative phase

14. Primary role of Dublin Firefighter
Save Life
Save Property
Render Humanitarian Aid
All of these carry an intrinsic ‘ rider ’
When safe to do so……………
…..And we endeavour to carry out these roles regardless of the the status of that scene.

15. …..but not regardless of other considerations
Why?

16. Because……… Every Scene we attend is potentially a crime scene
And in accordance with best international practice we must understand our role as firefighters in relatioin to crime scenes.

17. Private Investigators
Public
Coroners Office
Legislation
Fire Dept.
Product
Manufacturers
Fire / Explosion
State
Pathologist
Garda / Police
Forensic Scientist
Loss
Adjusters
DPP
Insurance Industry
Legal Profession

18. So what can the firefighter do
So what can the firefighter do? Start thinking ‘outside the box’ From the time of the call Enroute to the scene Arrival at the scene Initial impressions at the scene Persons at the scene what you did at and inside the scene

19. Scenario
D D/O Delta
‘ Will you respond to a domestic fire, fully involved, at no. 66 Busy Street, off Malahide rd we have two confimed persons reported from off duty Firefighter. Senior Officer, Gardaí, ESB, Bord Gáis responding’.

20. You are on your way to this scene
You are on your way to this scene. Take a few moments to gather your thoughts and mentally prepare. You, your fellow firefighters and the Incident Commander will have a unique opportunity to make observations about the fire because you will see the scene in its most undisturbed state. You also have the responsibility to exercise as much care as possible to preserve physical evidence for later collection. The investigation can be positively or negatively affected by what you do or do not do. Mentally review your firefighting and observation responsibilities.

21. At the Scene prior to entry
Information you might be given directly.
Information you might overhear.
Human behaviour of those you are talking with.
How are people speaking with you or to you!
Behaviour that you see beside you, see at a distance.
Unusual smells prior to donning.
Your focus is on your primary roles, that is your job.
But always think that the scene you are about to enter
could be a crime scene

22. Route available to you -- Any difficulties with this route
Inside the Scene
Route available to you -- Any difficulties with this route
Anything suspicious about those difficulties
What is the temperature like
Where is the fire
Can you tell what is on fire
What colour is the flame

23. Inside the Scene (continued)
How high are the flames
What is the colour of the smoke
Is it dense, rate of buoyancy?
Heat and intensity in different areas
Your observation of the burn, how did the fire behave
Problems encountered with the fire fight

24. Inside the Scene (continued)
How many seats of fire can you see
Can you tell what fuels might be involved
Can you identify any ventilation points
How does fire seat or hot layer gases react to
H2O or CAFS

25. Victims Cons or U/Cons Where were they found What position were they in What symptoms did they exhibit What did you do Why

26. What are the implications of your actions?
None
Why?
Do as you are trained to do
Do what will be considered reasonable

27. Dr. Brian Farrell Dublin City Coroner
Witnesses
Identification witness (or forensic evidence in relation to identification)
Witnesses who can give evidence in relation to the circumstances of the fire
Person who last saw the deceased alive
Members of the fire service and rescue teams
Scenes examiner
Investigating Garda
Pathologist
Dr. Brian Farrell Dublin City Coroner

28. Observe Recognize Preserve Notify
Your mental tape the scene.
Observe
(look at everything you can when possible N.B. 3 functions of a FF always come first)
Recognize
(Identify information that will be of use in follow up investigations)
Preserve
( Only move what is necessary, remember what you did and why you did it)
Notify
(Tell your Station Officer / Incident Commander what actions you did or what you saw.
(Remember E.C.O. does not record all information on B.A. Board)

29. So what are investigators looking out for?
Information that remains at a scene which will help establish the Fire’s origin and cause:
Where did it Start
What was the first ignition source that came into contact with the first fuel

30. Route to exact Point of Entry
Summary
En Route
At Scene
Route to exact Point of Entry
Route
inside
Observations
Actions inside
Notify
Notify again!

31. Thank you for your questions and interest. Good luck in your careers
PAUL CAROLAN