FIRE INVESTIGATION THERE IS TRUTH AND TRUTH DEMANDS RESPECT

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FIRE INVESTIGATION

• THERE IS TRUTH AND TRUTH DEMANDS RESPECT

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Fire Investigation Unit

• Investigators
• Capt. Eric Pedersen
• Rusty Olsen
• Fritz Wininger
• Josh Rogers
• Mike Lee

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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.

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INVESTIGATION GOALS

• TO CONDUCT COMPLETE, ACCURATE, TRUTH SEEKING
  INVESTIGATIONS.

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OBJECTIVES

• Reduce the occurrence of accidental fires
• Reduce cases of arson fires
• Reduce incidents of illegal explosive manufacture
  and use

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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!
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Duties of Investigators

• Conduct Scene exams
• Identify causes of accidental fires
• Identify cases of Incendiary fires
• Conduct criminal Investigations
• Prepare cases to be filed for prosecution

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Job RequirementsNFPA 1033

• Age 18 (21 for commission)
• High School Diploma
• Background check
• Knowledge of current methodology

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Investigation Priorities

• Arson fires where death occurs
• Fatal Fires
• Arson with Injury
• Pattern of set fires
• Other Arson fires
• Large loss Accidental
• Accidental with Injury

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Priorities

• Commercial fires
• Residential
• Vehicle
• Nuisance fires
• Juveniles Setting Fires (non criminal)

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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?
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Call out criteria
Four Criteria Death or Injury Dollar Loss
10,000 Incendiary Undetermined or story doesnt
match
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Investigative Functions

• Scene coordination
• Documentation- photography, diagramming, note
  taking
• Interviewing / Interrogations
• Examining the Scene
• Evidence collection and preservation
• Safety Assessment

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FIU Vehicle
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FIU Supervisors Vehicle
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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.
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What not to do!!
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What not to Do!!!!!!
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What not to do!!!!!!
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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.

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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 ?

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Incendiary Indicators

• Multiple uncommunicated fires
• Trailers
• Unexplained presence of ignitable liquids in area
  of origin.
• Remote locations with obstructed view
• Removal of contents prior to the fire
• Absence of personal items

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Indicators
Commercial fires Residential Fires Apartment
Fires Vehicle Fires Boat Fires Arson
Indicators Water Damage
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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.

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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

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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

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Arson Indicators Residential

• Prior police activity at residence
• Property for sale for extended time
• Vacant property
• No electrical service to residence
• Absence of appliances or personal belongings
• Fire reported soon after occupants exit

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Arson Indicators Commercial

• Decrease in revenue
• New or vigorous competition
• Construction of new roads or business complexes
• Old deteriorating buildings
• Building for sale or lease for extended period.
• Removal or substitution of contents prior to the
  fire.

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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.

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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.

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Fire Scene Tactics

• Look for bystanders who have singed hair or smell
  like ignitable liquids.
• Look for intoxicated bystanders.

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First Responder Duties

• Secure the Scene
• Gather Information
• Protect Evidence
• Observation Reports
• Fatal Fire Scene Security

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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)

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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,close
  d,removed.

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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.
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Locards Law
Locards 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.
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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.
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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.
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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. Dont ask questions.

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Gathering Information

• Photograph when the opportunity presents itself.
• Take pictures of the fire, the crowd,anything
  unusual.
• Complete a fire observation report.

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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.

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Juvy Fire Setters