Title: Essentials of Fire Fighting,
1- Essentials of Fire Fighting,
- 5th Edition
Chapter 18 Protecting Fire Scene
Evidence Firefighter II
2Chapter 18 Lesson Goal
- After completing this lesson, the student shall
be able to assist in the investigation of a
suspicious fire and protect and preserve evidence
after a fire following the policies and
procedures set forth by the authority having
jurisdiction (AHJ).
3Specific Objectives
- 1. Discuss the roles of firefighters and
investigators at investigations. - 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)
4Specific Objectives
- 4. Explain firefighter responsibilities after
the fire. - 5. Explain how legal considerations affect
firefighters during operations that may involve
incendiary evidence. -
(Continued)
5Specific Objectives
- 6. Discuss protecting and preserving evidence.
- 7. Protect evidence of fire cause and origin.
(Skill Sheet 18-II-1)
6Roles at an Investigation General Considerations
- Determining the cause of a fire may only require
the expertise of the emergency responders on
scene
(Continued)
7Roles at an Investigation General Considerations
- More complex fire incidents or possible crime
scenes often require assistance of law
enforcement personnel and qualified fire
investigators
Courtesy of Sheldon Levi, IFPA.
(Continued)
8Roles at an Investigation General Considerations
- Guidelines for initiating steps vary among
jurisdictions and the nature of the incident - Firefighters must be aware of the guidelines
and/or regulations in their areas
9Roles at an Investigation Firefighter
Responsibilities
- In most jurisdictions, fire chief has the legal
responsibility for determining the cause and
origin - Fire chief delegates this authority to fire
officers and firefighters at the scene
(Continued)
10Roles at an Investigation Firefighter
Responsibilities
- Proper training enables firefighters to recognize
and collect important information - First-arriving firefighters can observe unusual
conditions that may indicate an incendiary fire
11Roles at an Investigation Investigator
Responsibilities
- Fire marshals or others may be responsible for
conducting investigations beyond the
determination of fire origin and cause
(Continued)
12Roles at an Investigation Investigator
Responsibilities
- Fire investigators may also be sworn peace
officers - Firefighters may be questioned by an investigator
or asked to assist in an investigation
(Continued)
13Roles at an Investigation Investigator
Responsibilities
- Some fire departments have special fire
investigation or arson squads - Arson investigation
- Police department
- State fire marshal or some other state agency
- Private companies may conduct separate
investigations
(Continued)
14Observations En Route
- Time of day
- Weather and natural hazards
- Barriers
- People leaving the scene
15Observations Upon Arrival
- Time of arrival and extent of fire
- Wind direction and velocity
- Doors or windows locked or unlocked
- Location of the fire
(Continued)
16Observations Upon Arrival
- Containers or cans
- Burglary tools
- Familiar faces
17Observations During Fire Fighting Operations
- Unusual odors
- Abnormal behavior of fire when water is applied
- Obstacles hindering fire fighting
(Continued)
18Observations During Fire Fighting Operations
- Incendiary devices
- Trailers
- Structural alterations
- Fire patterns
(Continued)
19Observations During Fire Fighting Operations
- Heat intensity
- Availability of documents
- Fire detection and protection systems
- Intrusion alarms
- Location of fire
(Continued)
20Observations During Fire Fighting Operations
- Personal possessions
- Household items
- Equipment or inventory
- Business records
21Conduct 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)
22Conduct 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)
23Conduct and Statements at the Scene
- After the investigator arrives, firefighters
should make statements only to this individual
(Continued)
24Conduct 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
25Responsibilities 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
26Securing 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)
27Securing 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)
28Securing 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)
29Securing 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)
30Securing the Fire Scene
- Cordoning can be accomplished with rope or
specially designed fire and police line tape
31Legal Considerations
- Legal cases
- Firefighters may remain on location as long as
necessary, but once they leave they may be
required to get a search warrant - Based on the case of Michigan vs. Tyler
- U.S. Supreme Court findings
(Continued)
32Legal Considerations
- Impact on firefighters
- If there is incendiary evidence, fire department
should leave at least one person on premises
until an investigator arrives - To leave the premises, return later without a
search warrant, and make a search might have
negative consequences
(Continued)
33Legal Considerations
- Impact on firefighters (cont.)
- Each department must comply with the legal
opinions that affect its jurisdiction
34Protecting 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)
35Protecting 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)
36Protecting 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)
37Protecting and Preserving Evidence
- Human footprints and tire marks must be
protected use cardboard boxes
(Continued)
38Protecting 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)
39After 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)
40After Evidence Has Been Collected
- Unburned materials can be separated from the
debris and cleaned
41Summary
- Before an investigation into the origin and cause
of a fire can be conducted, there must be
evidence to evaluate.
(Continued)
42Summary
- 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)
43Summary
- Once the area of origin is known, a more thorough
investigation can be conducted to determine the
exact cause of the fire.
(Continued)
44Summary
- 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)
45Summary
- 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.
46Review Questions
- 1. What individuals may have responsibilities in
a fire investigation? - 2. What are some observations that may indicate
a fire was incendiary? - 3. What is one way that a fire scene can be
secured?
(Continued)
47Review Questions
- 4. Why should the fire department leave at least
one person on the premises of a scene until the
investigator arrives? - 5. What are ways that evidence can be protected?