Essentials of Firefighting (4th Edition)
Chapter 17-Protecting Evidence of Fire Cause (Salvage & Overhaul)
FF1 Test Review

Why should FD's INVESTIGATE all fires?

  • to determine the cause of the fire

What combination of factors CAUSE FIRES?

  • fuel that ignited
  • form and source of ignition
  • act or omission that bring the above two factors together

Who has the best opportunity to OBSERVE EVIDENCE?

  • the first-arriving firefighter

Who has the LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY to determine the cause of a fire?

  • the fire chief

What questions must a FIRST-ARRIVING FF ask themselves?

  • Contents of the rooms normal?
  • Rooms ransacked or unusually bare?
  • Door and windows locked or open?
  • Evidence of forced entry prior to arrival?
  • Indications of unusual fire behavior?
  • More than one area of origin?
  • Vehicles or people present in the area?

Who is responsible for carrying out INVESTIGATIONS for fire cause?

  • fire marshals, fire inspectors, or other members of the fire prevention bureau

What are some entities that carry out FIRE CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS?

  • special fire investigation
  • arson squads
  • FD working together with PD
  • PD only or FD only
  • State fire marshal or state agency
  • Private companies
  • Insurance companies

What observation QUESTIONS should be asked in route to a fire?

  • Time of Day - people & circumstances normal at particular time of day?
  • Weather & Natural Hazards - hot, cold, or stormy? Furnaces in cold weather, windows should be closed during rainy or cold weather
  • Man-Made Barriers - barricades, fallen trees, cables, trash cans, or vehicles blocking hydrants, sprinklers, standpipe connections, streets and driveways?
  • People Leaving Scene - vehicle color, approximate year, model, body style, condition, license plate number, and # of occupants? (on foot) note attire, general physical appearance, & any peculiarities, i.e.-walking briskly, looking over shoulder

What OBSERVATIONS should be made upon arrival?

  • Time of Arrival and Extent of Fire - ask person who reported fire about extent of fire when discovered. Also, note location of smoke columns, flames, and if self-ventilation has occurred
  • Wind Direction & Velocity - note wind conditions that effect the natural path of fire spread
  • Doors & Windows Locked or Unlocked - note position & condition of doors & windows. Look for signs of forced entry and signs of openings covered with blankets, paint, & paper to delay discovery of the fire
  • Location of the Fire - identify the area of origin. Note multiple areas of origin & spread by trailers (combustible materials used to spread fire)
  • Containers or Cans - note metal or plastic containers that may have been used to transport accelerants
  • Burglary Tools - note pry bars & screwdrivers in unusual areas
  • Familiar Faces - note recurring faces in the crowds of bystanders

What OBSERVATIONS should be made during a fire?

  • Unusual Odors - note odors outside scene (always wear SCBA for suppression and overhaul)
  • Abnormal Fire Behavior when Water is Applied - flashbacks, re-ignition, rekindles, & increase in fire intensity may occur when accelerants are splashed by fire streams
  • Obstacles Hindering Firefighting - note doors tied shut, furniture placed in doorways, and holes cut in floors
  • Incendiary Devices - note broken glass & fragments of bottles or containers & metal parts of electrical or mechanical devices (an incendiary device is any device designed & used to start a fire)
  • Trailer - note char & burn patterns that suggest the use of trailers such as newspapers, rags, blankets, or ignitable liquids
  • Structural Alterations - note removal of plaster or drywall to expose wood members, holes made in ceilings, walls, & floors, & fire doors secured in the open position
  • Fire Patterns - note fire movement & intensity patterns, trace fire spread & original ignition source, & determine fuels involved. Also, note heavy charring & irregular burning
  • Heat Intensity - note high heat as it may indicate the use of accelerants. Synthetic materials, such as polyurethane, may produce high heat intensity that can be confused with the use of accelerants
  • Availability of Documents - note premeditation by sudden production of insurance papers, inventory lists, deeds, or other legal documents
  • Fire Detection & Protection Systems - note evidence of tampering or intentional damage
  • Intrusion Alarms - note tampering or intentional disabling
  • Location of Fire - note ignition sources or possible sources. Suspicious activity includes, fires in closets, bathtubs, file drawers, or in center of rooms
  • Personal Possessions - note absence of or shortage of clothing, personal possessions such as diplomas, financial papers, & toys, as well as sentimental items such as wedding & photo albums, collections, & heirlooms. Also, absence of pets.
  • Household Items - note major items removed or replaced with items of inferior quality. Also, if appliances were unplugged or disconnected
  • Equipment or Inventory - note obsolete equipment, inventory, fixtures, display cases, & raw materials
  • Business Records - note important records out of normal places & safes or fire-resistant file cabinets left open & exposed to fire

What should be DELAYED until area of origin & cause have been determined?

  • a thorough salvage & overhaul

Who's job is it to INTERVIEW an arson suspect?

  • (not a firefighter), a trained investigator should conduct the interrogation

What STATEMENTS should not be made by firefighters?

  • accusations, personal opinions, or probable causes

What is a SUFFICIENT REPLY concerning fire cause?

  • "The fire is under investigation"

When can public STATEMENTS be made?

  • after investigator & ranking officer have agreed to its accuracy & validity & have given permission to release it

What items should be OPERATED carefully to avoid contamination of the scene?

  • power tools, hose lines, & other equipment

What should be done if an INVESTIGATOR is not readily available?

  • premises should be guarded & kept under FD control until all evidence is gathered

How should evidence be GATHERED?

  • marked, tagged, & photographed
  • this duty may be the responsibility of the PD
  • should be carried out by trained personnel

How long does FD have AUTHORITY to bar access to any building?

  • during firefighting operations & for a reasonable length of time after suppression is terminated
  • authority ends when last FD representative leaves the scene
  • further visits require owners permission or a search warrant

When can persons ENTER a scene?

  • With investigators permission & an authorized escort
  • A recorded log, with the person's name, time of entry & departure, & description of any items taken from the scene should be made

What are LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS in fires?

  • (Supreme Court Ruling - Michigan -vs- Tyler states: once in a building, evidence of arson may be siezed. After leaving, owner permission or a search warrant must be obtained to return to collect evidence
  • one person should remain on scene until investigator arrives

How should FF's PROTECT EVIDENCE?

  • by leaving it untouched and undisturbed and provide security for the area until investigator arrives
  • evidence should not be gathered by FF's unless necessary to preserve it

What are the ways a scene may be SECURED?

  • fenced areas can be monitored by one person at a locked gate
  • in extreme instances, doors, windows, & entrances may be closed with plywood
  • cordoning off areas helps keep bystanders at a safe distance from the scene
  • cordoned areas should be monitored by the PD

How should footprints or tire tracks be PRESERVED?

  • by covering with boxes to avoid dust or wind

What should be done with CHARRED documents?

  • leave in containers found in and keep away from drafts

When may DEBRIS be removed from the scene?

  • after evidence has been collected by the investigator

What should be done with UNBURNED in debris piles?

  • they should be separated from the debris & cleaned

Where should DEBRIS be dumped?

  • in a backyard or alley where it is not visible from the street