fire & arson investigation procedure & practices(new)

8/19/2019 Fire & Arson Investigation Procedure & Practices(new)

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Fire & Arson

InvestigationProcedures &

Practices

F/SUPT HERBERT B CEZAR


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I. NATURE OF FIRE INVESTIGATIONS

A fre or explosion investigation is acomplex endeavor involving both art andscience. The compilation o actual data, aswell as an analysis o those acts, should be

accomplished objectively and truthully.

The basic methodology o the freinvestigation should rely on the use o a

systematic approach and attention to allrelevant details.


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I. NATURE OF FIRE INVESTIGATIONS

The use o a systematic approach otenwill uncover new actual data or analysis,which may require previous conclusions to bereevaluated.

With a ew exceptions, the propermethodology or a fre or explosioninvestigation is to frst determine and

establish the origins!, then investigate thecause" W#AT $%&$'()TA*$+), $*-%T%*),& A+*$%+) $A')+- T#+ %*%T%* )'&$+,/'+0, A*- 1%-A*T T $(+ T+T#+&2


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II. SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

The systematic approach recommendedis that o the scientifc method, which is usedin the physical sciences.

This method provides or theorgani3ational and analytical process sodesirable and necessary in a successul freinvestigation.


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III. RELATING FIRE INVESTIGATION TOTHE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

The scientifc method is a principalo inquiry that orms a basis orlegitimate scientifc and engineering

processes, including fre incidentinvestigation.

The scientifc method is appliedusing the ollowing six steps.


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Recognize the needidenti!" the #$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*

An*&"ze the d*t*ind+cti,e $e*-oning(

De,e&o# * h"#othe-i-

Te-t the h"#othe-i-ded+cti,e $e*-oning(

Se&ect )n*&

h"#othe-i-


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Recognize the needidenti!" the

#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*

An*&"ze the d*t*ind+cti,e$e*-oning(

De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-

Te-t the h"#othe-i-ded+cti,e$e*-oning(

Se&ect )n*&h"#othe-i-

dete$'ine c*+-e(

a. &ecogni3e the *eed

/irst, one shoulddetermine that a problem

exists. %n this case a fre orexplosion has occurred andthe cause should bedetermined and listed so thatuture, similar incidents canbe prevented.


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b. -efne the 4roblem

#aving determined thata problem exists, theinvestigator or analyst should

defne in what manner theproblem can be solved.

%n this case, a properorigin and causeinvestigation should beconducted.


#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(


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b. -efne the 4roblem


#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(

This is done by anexamination o the scene andby a combination o other

data collection methods,such as the review opreviously conductedinvestigations o the incident,the interviewing o witnessesor other 5nowledgeablepersons, and the results o

scientifc testing.


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#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(

c. $ollect -ata

/acts about the freincident are now collected.

This is done by observation,experiment, or other directdata gathering means. This iscalled empirical databecause it is based onobservation or experienceand is capable o being

verifed.


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#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(

d. Analy3e the -ata%nductive &easoning!

All o the collected andobserved inormation isanaly3ed by inductivereasoning.

This is the process in

which the total body oempirical data collected iscareully examined in thelight o the investigator6s

5nowledge, training, and


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#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(

)ubjective orspeculative inormation

cannot be included in theanalysis, only acts that canbe clearly proven byobservation or experiment.

d. Analy3e the -ata%nductive &easoning!


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#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(

e. -evelop a #ypothesis

7ased on the dataanalysis, the investigatorshould now produce ahypothesis or group ohypotheses to explain theorigin and cause o the fre orexplosion incident.

This hypothesis shouldbe based solely on theempirical data that the

investigator has collected.


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#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(

All other reasonableorigins and causes should be

eliminated.

The investigator doesnot have a truly provable

hypothesis unless it canstand the test o careul andserious challenge.

. Test the #ypothesis-eductive &easoning!


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#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(


This is done by theprinciple o deductivereasoning, in which the

investigator compares his orher hypothesis to all 5nownacts.

% the hypothesis cannotwithstand an examination bydeductive reasoning, itshould be discarded as not

provable and a new


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#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(


This may include thecollection o new data or thereanalysis o existing data.

This process needs tobe continued until all easiblehypotheses have been

tested.

therwise the fre causeshould be listed as

8undetermined.9


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#$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*


De,e&o# *h"#othe-i-



dete$'ine c*+-e(


4resumption o $ause

'ntil data have beencollected, no specifchypothesis can be reasonablyormed or treated. All fres,

however, should beapproached by theinvestigator w:opresumption.


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Recognize the needidenti!" the #$o%&e'(

De)ne the #$o%&e'

Co&&ect d*t*

An*&"ze the d*t*ind+cti,e $e*-oning(

De,e&o# * h"#othe-i-

Te-t the h"#othe-i-ded+cti,e $e*-oning(

Se&ect )n*&

h"#othe-i-


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IV. ASIC METHOD OF A FIREINVESTIGATION

'sing the scientifc method in most freor explosion incidents should involve theollowing fve major steps rom inceptionthrough fnal analysis.

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+;%-+*$+

A*A0


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&eceiving the Assignment

The investigator should be notifedo the incident, what his or her role willbe, and what he or she is to accomplish.


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&eceiving the Assignment

The investigator should 5now i heor she is expected to determine theorigin, cause, and responsibility> producea written or oral report> prepare orcriminal or civil litigation> ma5e

suggestions or code enorcement, codepromulgation, or changes> ma5esuggestions to manuacturers, industryassociations, or government agency

action> or determine some other results.


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4reparing or the %nvestigation

The investigator should marshal his

or her orces and resources and plan theconduct o the investigation.

4replanning at this stage can

greatly increase the e?ciency andthereore the chances or success o theoverall investigation.


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4reparing or the %nvestigation

+stimating what tools, equipment,

and personnel both laborers andexperts! will be needed can ma5e theinitial scene investigation, as well assubsequent investigative examinations

and analyses, go more smoothly and bemore productive.


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$onducting the %nvestigation The investigator should conduct an

examination o the scene, i it is available,and collect data necessary to the analysis.

The actual investigation may ta5e andinclude di@erent steps and procedures, andthese will be determined by the purpose o

the investigation assignment.

These steps and procedures are

described in detail elsewhere in the


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$onducting the %nvestigationA typical fre or explosion investigation may include all

or some o the ollowing"

a scene inspection> scene documentation through photography and

diagramming> evidence recognition, documentation, andpreservation> witness interviews> review and analysis o the investigations o others>

and identifcation and collection o data or inormationrom other appropriate sources.

%t is during this phase o the investigation that the

data necessary or the analysis o the incident will be


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Analy3ing the %ncident

All collected and available datashould be analy3ed using the principles othe scientifc method. An incident

scenario or ailure analysis should bedescribed, explaining the origin, cause,fre spread, and responsibility or theincident.

$onclusions should be drawnaccording to the principles expressed in

this guide.


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V. REPORTING PROCEDURES

The reporting procedure may ta5e manywritten or oral orms, depending on thespecifc responsibility o the investigator.

4ertinent inormation should be reported in aproper orm and orum to help preventrecurrence.


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Establising te Role o!

First Res"ondersThe actions of public safety personnel

providing emergency services at a re

scene are critical not only to lifesavingand re suppression eorts but also toany subsequent investigation of theincident.


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1. #bserve te Fire and Scene Conditions

While approaching a fire scene, first

responders should observe and mentally

note the following conditions and activities

and, as soon as conditions permit, initiate

permanent documentation of theinformation (e.g., written notes, voice

recordings, videotapes):

4&$+-'&+


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A. The presence, location, and conditionof victims and witnesses.

. !ehicles leaving the scene, bystanders,or unusual activities near the scene.

". #lame and smo$e conditions (e.g., thevolume of flames and smo$e% the color,

height, and location of the flames% thedirection in which the flames andsmo$e are moving).


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&. The type of occupancy and use of the structure(e.g., a residential occupancy being used as abusiness).

'. "onditions of the structure (e.g., lights turned on%fire through the roof% walls standing% open, closed,or bro$en windows and doors).

#. "onditions surrounding the scene (e.g., bloc$eddriveways, debris, damage to other structures).

. Weather conditions.


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. *nusual characteristics of the scene (e.g., the

presence of containers, e+terior burning or

charring on the building, the absence of normalcontents, unusual odors, fire trailers).

-. The fire suppression techniues used, includingventilation, forcible entry, and utility shutoff

measures.

/. The status of fire alarms, security alarms, and

sprin$lers.


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0 '+ercise cene afety


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0. '+ercise cene afety

*pon arrival at the scene, first responders should:

A. 'valuate the scene for safety ha2ards (e.g., structuralcollapse of the building% smo$e% electrical, chemical, orbiological ha2ards% other health ris$s).

. 'stablish safety3ha2ard 2ones.

". "ommunicate ha2ards to other personnel arriving at the

scene.

&. *se tools and personal protective euipment appropriate tothe tas$ during all operations.

4&$+-'&+


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&A4'5:

The scene may contain devices specificallydesigned to $ill or maim public safety

responders. &o not touch any suspectedincendiary or e+plosive device. 'vacuatethe area, and reuest the services ofpersonnel trained in the removal of such

items.


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6. 7reserve the #ire cene

To preserve evidence, first responders should:

A. 8bserve and mentally note evidence that maybe present at the scene, such as:

#ire patterns (including multiple fire locations).

urn in9uries to victims and fire patterns on

clothing.

4&$+-'&+


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Trailers, ignitable liuids, or other unusual fueldistribution (e.g., piles of newspapers, furniturepushed together).

-ncendiary3ignition3e+plosive devices (e.g.,

lighters, matches, timing devices).

hoe prints and tire impressions.

ro$en windows and doors.

&istribution of bro$en glass and debris.


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-ndications of forced entry (tools and tool

mar$s).

"ontainers.

&iscarded clothing.

Trace evidence (e.g., hairs, fibers,

fingerprints, blood, other body fluids).


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'vidence of crimes in addition to the

possible arson (e.g., weapons, bodies,drugs, clandestine drug laboratoryeuipment).

Witnesses, bystanders, and victims.

Any other unusual items or the absenceof normal contents or structuralcomponents.


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. 5ecogni2e threats to evidence (i.e., its movement, removal,

contamination, or destruction) from any of the following sources:

#ire suppression activities, such as a straight streamapplied at the point of origin or deluge applications thatmay wash away or dilute potential evidence.

8verhaul activities that destroy fire patterns.

alvage activities that involve moving or removing

potential physical evidence.

*se of a tool in any manner that causes destruction ofevidence.


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ovement of $nobs, switches, and

controls on appliances and utilities.

Weather conditions that affect transient

evidence (i.e., wind, precipitation, ortemperature changes).

7ersonnel wal$ing through the scene.

Witnesses and victims leaving the scene.


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edical intervention and treatment of victims(e.g., by damaging evidence at the scene ordestroying victims; clothing).

7remature removal or movement of bodies.

!ehicles at the scene (e.g., that introduce fluidto the scene through vehicle lea$s or destroyother evidence, including shoe prints and tireimpressions).

"ontamination from e+ternal sources, such asfuel


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". 7rotect 'vidence by:

=imiting e+cessive fire suppression, overhaul, and salvage.

Avoiding needless destruction of property.

=eaving bodies undisturbed.

#lagging items of evidence with cones or mar$ers.

5ecording observations through written notes or voice

recordings.

"overing items or areas containing evidence with ob9ects thatwill not contaminate the evidence (e.g., clean bo+es or

tarpaulins).


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-solating items or areas containing evidence with rope, barriertape, barricades, or sentries.

5etaining and securing clothing items removed from victimsand suspects.

8btaining information about victims and witnesses (i.e., theirnames, addresses, and telephone numbers).

7reserving transient evidence (e.g., trace evidence, shoeprints, tire impressions).

5emoving evidence at ris$ of imminent destruction by the fireor the structural collapse of the damaged building.

'nsuring that later arriving investigators are fully apprised ofthe evidence discovered.


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'stablish ecurity and "ontrol


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. 'stablish ecurity and "ontrol

A. et up a security perimeter (e.g., using

barrier tape, fire line, sentry).

. "ontrol access into the scene through

the security perimeter.

". -nitiate documentation of the scene.

4&$+-'&+

> "oordinate Activities


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>. "oordinate Activities

To coordinate activities at the scene, first respondersshould:

A. 'stablish a command post and implement anincident command system (i.e., a point of contactand line of communication and authority for publicsafety personnel).

. 'stablish staging areas to ensure that emergencyand support vehicles have access into the area.

4&$+-'&+


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". 5euest additional personnel resources,

such as firefighters, ' personnel, law

enforcement officers, investigators, andrepresentatives of utility companies.

&. -nform authorities about the status of theincident, ha2ards, in9uries, witnesses, the

location of evidence, and other pertinent

facts.


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#our 7hases of #ire cene -nvestigation


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#irst 7hase


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7rotect37reserve #ire

cene-nformation athering

arricade Tape

"ordon 5ope

7osting of *niform7ersonnel

'licitation

-nterview

8verhaul

#ire uppression

5ecogni2e Threats to

'vidence

alvage

*se of Tools

"onstant Wal$ing through the

cene

-nterrogation

5ecording3&ocumentation

7hotography

$etching

4ote Ta$ing

Audio3!ideo *tili2ation

Fire Scene Investigation


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0nd 7hase


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8bservation

Analysis

#ire 7attern

Analysis

=ine an area of

&emarcation

=ocation of Area of

8rigin

*nusual 'vent 7rior

to #ire

#ire "ause

4on


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urface effects

Alligator

&eep of "harring

palling

"lean urn

5ate of "harring

8+idation

mo$e oot

7enetration of

ori2ontal urface

*?! 7attern

Arrow 7attern

addle urn

-nverted *?! 7attern

7ointer

=oss of

aterials

elting

#ire 7attern Analysis

"alcination


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6rd 7hase


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5ecogni2e3-dentify

'vidence

trip ethod

&ouble trip

@one

Wheel

5ecord3&ocument

'vidence 7rior to

"ollection

'vidence "ollection,

7ac$aging Transport

7hotograph 'vidence

7rior to "ollection

$etch ? measure

'vidence =ocation

7lace 'vidence to

uitable "ontainer

Tag, eal ? ar$

7repare 'vidence "hain

of "ustody #orm

7ac$agingTransmittal =etter

piral

8bserve tandard "ollection

5euirements

(Wearing of loves)

earch, 5ecogni2e, "ollect37reserve 'vidence

#lagging

ar$ing

0 witness

reuirements


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th 7hase


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