Fire Investigation Unit

Fire Investigation Unit

Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble



Introduction

• DFD FIU• Legalities• Methodology• When to contact



What is a Fire Investigator?



According to the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)

• 16-2.5-109. Fire arson investigator.• A fire arson investigator employed by a unit of

local government is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties whose authority shall be limited to the enforcement of arson and related laws ...

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What DFD Investigators do…

• Fire Investigators will act as a detective for the case– Determine the fire origin and cause– Collect evidence and document the scene– Interview witnesses and victims– Interrogate suspects– Prepare and present case filings to the District

Attorney’s Office for arson-related crimes – Testify in court proceedings – both criminal and

civil



4th Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and No Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.



How are we allowed to investigate fires?

We are allowed to enter a property under the 17th exception to the Fourth Amendment to

determine origin and cause ONLY(Michigan V. Tyler 436 U.S. 499, 1978)



Exigency

• Please note that the IC shall have DFD personnel remain on scene until relieved by the Investigators

• If you leave for any length of time, we have to request a search warrant

• By leaving, you have eliminated exigency



Plain View Exception

• If there legally, can use what you can see

• Systematic approach needed



Fire Suppression & Exigency

• Locate

• Confine

• Extinguish– Investigate

• Overhaul



Methodology

• Outside to inside

• Document areas without fire damage and areas of fire damage

• Investigators gather initial data and impression



Documentation

• Record possessions– Present/missing

• We try to keep you out of photos on purpose– Subpoenas are not fun

• Ask if you want to see!

• Don’t lock up until after Investigators look



So, when must Arson respond?

• All fire fatalities

• Life-threatening injuries w/transport

• FF fire-related injuries

• All suspicious or known arson fires

• All fires causing property damage when IC is unable to determine cause



So, when should Arson respond?

• All incendiary devices– Molotovs, trailers, ignitable liquid pours, ignition

devices

• All explosions involving property damage and/or life-threatening injuries

• Malicious false alarms or nuisance fires where there is witness/suspect info



So, when should Arson respond?

• Monetary loss should not be the primary consideration

• All fires with property damage caused by juveniles – (10 years old)



Fire Cause Classifications

• Accidental

• Natural

• Incendiary

• Undetermined



Fire Cause Determinations

• Accidental– IC makes the call

• Natural– IC makes the call

• Incendiary• Undetermined




• Accidental– IC makes the call

• Natural– IC makes the call

• Incendiary– Arson needs to be contacted

• Undetermined– Arson needs to be contacted




• Accidental• Natural• Incendiary• Undetermined

Get out of your car




Accidental Fires




Undetermined Fires




Arson Fires



Denver Public Schools

• They are required to contact DFD

• Suppression needs to respond to verify extinguishment and no life threats

• Arson will respond if there is:– Property damage and/or– Suspect info



Youth Fire Stop Program

• One full-time person

• Designed to educate any child about the dangers and consequences of playing with fire



Youth Fire Stop Program

• Don’t lecture and release; refer them to YFS

• When referring, get:– Juvenile name, address, DOB, phone– Parent/guardian name, address, DOB, phone– Sibling name, address, DOB, phone

• If an immediate life threat is a concern, get a mental health hold, don’t refer to YFS.



What can you do to help us?

– Get initial story from occupant (I.C.)

–Don’t let the occupant back inside

– Premise history/inspections

– Tell us what you saw when you first arrived• May be different than what we see



What else can you do to help us?

Slow down your overhaul-if you take it out, you’ll have to put it back

• Let us look at the fire first

• Overhaul can be completed after we’re done

• Over-zealous overhaul may slow the victim’s insurance payment, but do enough to prevent re-kindle.



Drywall

• Drywall will only fail at the seams or penetrations

• Calcination – chemically bound water

• Thermal imager shows absorbed heat on the drywall– Paper 451° , Pine 800 °

223° F

Fire Investigation Unit

Documents

Transcript of Fire Investigation Unit