chapter 18

© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Documenting the Scene

Chapter 18


Objectives

• Describe when and what to photograph to document the fire scene adequately

• Describe the different types of diagrams and how they can assist the fire investigator

• Describe symbols used to represent common items used in most diagrams

• Describe the importance of notes, proper note taking, and final disposition of notes


Case Study

• A homeowner noticed the laundry room on fire• Investigator searched the dryer and found only

debris that was consistent with cotton• Five years later, the investigator appeared in the

civil suit of an insurance company against a major appliance manufacturer

• The fact that all answers during the deposition came from the notes and report were sufficient for a settlement


Introduction

• Every fire scene must be adequately documented to allow recall for the investigator

• To test your hypothesis, you must document all the facts of the case– All the facts of the case include all notes gathered,

reports written, photographs taken, and diagrams created


Photographs

• In the past, arguments have been made against digital photography – Digital photographs in the early days did not have

clarity or details• Today, this is not the case

• A major benefit of going digital is the fact that the photo can be reviewed immediately


Photography for the First Responder Investigator

• Upon arriving at the scene, taking photographs will be the last thing on the mind of the fire officer


Photography for the First Responder Investigator (cont’d.)

• Once the fire is under control and post-fire procedures have been established and before overhaul, the suppression officer can use the camera– Overall shots of the property – A photo framing each side of the structure– Photographs of each room– Series of photos showing the path of travel


Photography for the Assigned Investigator

• Assigned investigator should start from the beginning and take all photographs

• First photo taken should depict the area where the fire occurred

• Next shot should show the structure and the surrounding property

• All evidence found on the exterior should be photographed


Photography for the Assigned Investigator (cont’d.)

• Inside the structure, the photos should be taken just as the investigator should work the scene

• Any item identified as the first fuel ignited should be photographed

• Any potential heat sources should be photographed

• As evidence is collected, it should be photographed


Specialized Photography

Figure 18-1 Digital cameras can range from a simplepocket camera to SLR unitswith specialized lenses and flash units.


Documenting with Diagrams

• Diagrams are drawings of the property– Depict the property boundaries and the position of the

structures on the property– Use an arrow to depict the direction north– All sketches and diagraphs, no matter how detailed,

should state “Not to Scale”


Sketching and Measuring

• A sketch is a simple rough drawing– Starts with drawing the area, and then a sketch of the

structure

• Simple graph paper can help in making as accurate a depiction is possible in the field

• Final diagrams need to be as accurate as possible – All walls, roads, landmarks, key points, evidence, or

other data placed on the diagram should be measured


The Diagrams

• Sketch needs to be rendered into a diagram • Basic completed diagram needs to be attached

to the final report • Several pieces of information that should be

considered for placement on a diagram – Data can be placed on one diagram, or special

diagrams can be created to show the data separately or in groups

– One way to show multiple sets of data on one form is to create an overlay


The Diagrams (cont’d.)

• Pre-Fire Floor Plan – First diagram should show the layout of the rooms

and spaces as they would have appeared prior to the fire

• Pre-Fire Floor Plan with Known Furnishings – Furnishings whose locations prior to the fire can be

verified should be placed in their proper position on a diagram



• Burn and Smoke Patterns – Diagram could also reflect the depth of the char – Should show the direction of fire travel from the area

of origin

• Evidence Diagram – Depending on the amount of evidence, it may be

beneficial to mark it on a diagram

• Photo Diagram – Final report should include a collection of

photographs



• Suppression Activities – Placement of apparatus, water supply lines, location

of hydrants used or not used, ladder truck placement, and attack lines should be placed on a diagram

• Commercial Building Plans – A full set of plans may be available from the building

official, the contractor, or architect


Notes

• Notes are an essential part of any investigation • If you do not write down what was said in the

interview, then the interview will be of limited use

• Writing the report is much easier and more efficient if written notes are used to get the information compiled


Notes (cont’d.)

• Notes need to be legible• Two theories on keeping and destroying notes

– Some departments destroy their written notes once they have typed their report

– Other departments keep their notes in the file


Summary

• Diagrams and notes are key tools to creating the final report – A variety of items can be captured with a diagram by

using overlays or multiple diagrams

• Photographs are also important to capturing the scene

chapter 18

Art & Photos

cengage learning

diagrams diagrams

diagram data

notes notes

diagrams sketch

field final diagrams

areaof origin evidence

structure photographs