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