Post on 11-Jan-2016
FIRE INVESTIGATION
THERE IS TRUTH AND TRUTH DEMANDS RESPECT
Fire Investigation Unit
InvestigatorsCapt. Eric PedersenRusty OlsenFritz WiningerJosh RogersMike Lee
COURSE OBJECTIVES
TO FAMILIARIZE THE STUDENT WITH THE BACKGROUND AND DUTIES OF THE FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT.
TO BUILD A PARTNERSHIP THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE DEPARTMENT EFFORT TO CONDUCT THOROUGH COMPLETE INVESTIGATIONS.
INVESTIGATION GOALS
TO CONDUCT COMPLETE, ACCURATE, TRUTH SEEKING INVESTIGATIONS.
OBJECTIVES
Reduce the occurrence of accidental fires
Reduce cases of arson firesReduce incidents of illegal explosive
manufacture and use
What does it take?
Successful Investigations come from a result of teamwork between Investigators, Firefighters, Police, Prosecutors, Insurance Companies, members of the community and other agencies.
You are a part of the Investigation Team!
Duties of Investigators
Conduct Scene examsIdentify causes of accidental firesIdentify cases of Incendiary firesConduct criminal InvestigationsPrepare cases to be filed for
prosecution
Job RequirementsNFPA 1033
Age 18 (21 for commission)High School DiplomaBackground checkKnowledge of current methodology
Investigation Priorities
Arson fires where death occursFatal FiresArson with InjuryPattern of set firesOther Arson firesLarge loss AccidentalAccidental with Injury
Priorities
Commercial firesResidential VehicleNuisance firesJuveniles Setting Fires (non criminal)
Call out criteria
Does it appear suspicious?
Is damage 10,000 or more?
Is there a death or Injury?
Have accidental causes been eliminated?
Multiple fires?
Odor of ignitable liquids?
Similar fires in the area?
Call out criteria
Four Criteria
Death or Injury
Dollar Loss $10,000
Incendiary
Undetermined or story doesn’t match
Criteria for Vehicles
Does the story fit?
Is the cause known?
Is the vehicle being driven?
Did the fire originate in the engine compartment?
Is the vehicle totally destroyed?
Procedures for call-out
Three shifts are currently covered with a 48/96 shift investigator. The other days to include Kelly, sick, and vacation days are covered by the Captain working Modified Detroit.
Procedures for call-out
Recently added to SeaTac CAD. On dispatch for Suspicious fire, Residential Fire, Arson, Commercial fire etc.. FM71 will be on your MDC or CAD printout. FM71 is the on duty investigator, either on duty or Standby, work cell phone number is next to our name. If not dispatched use UR K9 or Who FM71. We are also FM33.
Investigative Functions
Scene coordinationDocumentation- photography, diagramming, note
taking
Interviewing / InterrogationsExamining the SceneEvidence collection and preservationSafety Assessment
FIU Vehicle
FIU Supervisors Vehicle
Origin and Cause
In order to determine the cause of the fire the area and point of origin need to be determined.
Area of origin: The general area within the fire scene where the fire began.
Point of origin: the specific location where the initial fuel and heat source came together to start the fire.
Cause: The sequence of events that allowed the fuel and heat source to come together.
What not to do!!
What not to Do!!!!!!
What not to do!!!!!!
Types of Fire Cause
Accidental-does not involve a deliberate act to ignite or spread fire into an area where the fire should not be.
Natural-caused without direct human intervention, such as lightning, wind, earthquake and the like.
Incendiary-deliberately ignited under circumstances which the person knows that the fire should not be ignited.
Undetermined – Sometimes the cause can not be determined.
Accidental Fires
Combustibles too close to a heat source.
Improper construction such as flue clearance, deteriorated chimney mortar.
Electrical- overloaded circuits, improper protection, faulty equipment.
Kitchen fires ?
Incendiary Indicators
Multiple uncommunicated firesTrailersUnexplained presence of ignitable
liquids in area of origin.Remote locations with obstructed viewRemoval of contents prior to the fireAbsence of personal items
Indicators
Commercial fires
Residential Fires
Apartment Fires
Vehicle Fires
Boat Fires
Arson Indicators
Water Damage
Arson Indicators
There are numerous conditions and circumstances readily apparent at various fire scenes that may indicate an incendiary origin for the fire. These can be extremely valuable to the overall success of the Investigation.
General Arson Indicators
Origin in specific room may indicate motive.
Evidence of other crimes.Previous fires at location.Structural damage prior to the fire.Blocked Access
Owner Occupant Indicators
Recent changes in marital status, finances, or employment.
Recent changes to insurance.Insurance policy in hand.Personal items or important
possessions removed or substituted prior to the fire
Missing pets
Arson Indicators Residential
Prior police activity at residenceProperty for sale for extended timeVacant propertyNo electrical service to residenceAbsence of appliances or personal
belongingsFire reported soon after occupants
exit
Arson Indicators Commercial
Decrease in revenueNew or vigorous competitionConstruction of new roads or
business complexesOld deteriorating buildingsBuilding for sale or lease for
extended period.Removal or substitution of contents
prior to the fire.
Vehicle Indicators
Vehicle fire discovered prior to owner reporting stolen.
Vehicle rebuilt or purchased as salvage.
Totally burned in a secluded location.Missing equipment.Recently insured comprehensive.Recent attempts to sell.History of mechanical problems.
Fire Scene Tactics
Take photos of the crowd and obtain information of anyone taking pictures or video.
Look for bystanders who are overly calm or appear overly excited/happy.
Fire Scene Tactics
Look for bystanders who have singed hair or smell like ignitable liquids.
Look for intoxicated bystanders.
First Responder Duties
Secure the SceneGather InformationProtect EvidenceObservation ReportsFatal Fire Scene Security
Scene Security
Physically control access to the scene by taping off the involved and surrounding area.
Establish a perimeter Deny access to everyone not actively
involved in mitigating the emergency. (this includes occupants, bystanders and sometimes even chiefs)
Protecting Evidence
The best way to protect evidence is the same as the best way to effect rescue…… PUT THE FIRE OUT!
Consider how and where you apply water.
Remember what you touched,broke,moved,opened,closed,removed.
Fatal Fire Scenes
Fatal fires are treated as crime scenes until proven otherwise. After controlling the fire the most important task is to preserve the scene for the investigation. Do not move or cover the body. If the body will be further damaged by the fire it may be moved with IC permission. Establish a primary and secondary perimeter and enforce the perimeter with Police Presence if necessary.
Locard’s Law
Locard’s law states that everyone who enters a scene, brings something in and takes something away when they leave.
Be mindful of how your actions can change the outcome of the investigation.
Spoliation of Evidence
Spoliation is the accidental or intentional destruction or damage to evidence of fire cause that may be used later in a third party subrogation.
You can be held civilly liable for destroying or damaging evidence if you exceed the scope of your employment.
Spoliation and Contamination
Spoliation can occur when you take apart the dishwasher to see if it really caused the fire. contamination can occur when you refuel your chainsaw in the center of that interesting burn pattern on the living room carpet. Spoliation can occur when you take that melted coffee maker back to the station because it would look good at your next Pub Ed presentation. Contamination can occur when you pass around that cool zippo lighter that you found so everyone can check it out.
Gathering Information
Witness information include Name, DOB, Middle Initial, Address, Phone Numbers. Observe vehicles noting license plates and types of vehicles. Observe actions of occupants, witnesses, and bystanders. Listen to what people are saying. Write it down. Don’t ask questions.
Gathering Information
Photograph when the opportunity presents itself.
Take pictures of the fire, the crowd,anything unusual.
Complete a fire observation report.
Conclusion
Do not become a victim of tunnel vision at a fire.
Be observant of your surroundings and your actions and be able to give the investigator a report on what you saw and what you did when you first arrived.
Juvy Fire Setters