Essentials of Fire Fighting,

1

• Essentials of Fire Fighting,
• 5th Edition

Chapter 18 Protecting Fire Scene
Evidence Firefighter I
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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).
  

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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)
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Specific Objectives

• 4. Explain firefighter responsibilities after
  the fire.
• 5. Discuss protecting and preserving evidence.

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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)
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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

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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

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Observations En Route

• Time of day
• Weather and natural hazards
• Barriers
• People leaving the scene

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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)
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Observations Upon Arrival

• Containers or cans
• Burglary tools
• Familiar faces

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Observations During Fire Fighting Operations

• Unusual odors
• Abnormal behavior of fire when water is applied
• Obstacles hindering fire fighting

(Continued)
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Observations During Fire Fighting Operations

• Incendiary devices
• Trailers
• Structural alterations
• Fire patterns

(Continued)
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Observations During Fire Fighting Operations

• Heat intensity
• Availability of documents
• Fire detection and protection systems
• Intrusion alarms
• Location of fire

(Continued)
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Observations During Fire Fighting Operations

• Personal possessions
• Household items
• Equipment or inventory
• Business records

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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)
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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)
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Conduct and Statements at the Scene

• After the investigator arrives, firefighters
  should make statements only to this individual

(Continued)
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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

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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

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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)
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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)
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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)
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Securing the Fire Scene

• Fire personnel should not allow anyone to enter a
  fire scene without the investigators permission
• The premises can be secured and protected in
  several ways

(Continued)
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Securing the Fire Scene

• Cordoning can be accomplished with rope or
  specially designed fire and police line tape

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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)
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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)
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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)
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Protecting and Preserving Evidence

• Human footprints and tire marks must be
  protected use cardboard boxes

(Continued)
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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)
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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)
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After Evidence Has Been Collected

• Unburned materials can be separated from the
  debris and cleaned

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Summary

• Before an investigation into the origin and cause
  of a fire can be conducted, there must be
  evidence to evaluate.

(Continued)
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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)
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Summary

• Once the area of origin is known, a more thorough
  investigation can be conducted to determine the
  exact cause of the fire.

(Continued)
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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)
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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.

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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)
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Review Questions

• 4. What actions should firefighters take after a
  fire?
• 5. Why is protecting evidence important?