As for the last topic discussed us by mr Bautista I will be continuing and start talking about the

Checklist for Investigations of Fire Causes

The tasks and responsibility of the fire arson investigators are not only limited to conducting exhaustive
investigations and filing of complaints with the prosecutor office, but also includes the appearance and
giving of testimonies before the court of law during legal proceedings SP 2010, p.177). Here is a checklist
in investigating Fire Causes (PNP.

1. Find out as much as possible about the fire before going to the scene and upon arrival. Obtain
information from the rescue services, from the owners of the building. from people who were in
it and from neighbors and eyewitnesses. ( doing this gives more information to the fire arson
investigators to understand more about how the fire started and where it started )

2. If the fire is still burning or was recently extinguished: Make notes of any observations on the
way to the scene of the fire. Examples of interesting observations are oncoming vehicles and
persons near the fire scene. ( gina gawa ito para maari nating ma iwasan ang mag susunod na
sakuna sa lugar na pinangyarihan upang matukoy din kung saan parte ang mga lugar na
madaling masunog. )
3. If the fire is still burning when you arrive: Take photographs, video film and make a note of the
times when different things happen..

4. Cordon off the area or extend the existing cordon if necessary. ( to protect other people and
prevent more destruction to the designated area )
5. Make sure that a list is made of the people who enter the fire scene. ( to protect and prevent
some contamination of evidences )
6. Preliminary orientation. Start immediately after the extinction of the fire. Study fire damage and
fire behavior. Decide whether to call in personnel from the SNLFS of other experts.

7. Preliminary determination of the origin of the fire. Get help from the incident commander and
the firemen who arrived on the scene first.

8. Initial debris removal. Before debris is removed, the whole building must be photographed and
video filmed both inside and outside.

9. Final debris removal and cleanup. Start from the outside and work towards the point(s) of
origin. Photograph all objects found before they are moved. Photograph and document rooms
less affected by fire damage and undamaged rooms too.

10. Carry out a reconstruction. Put all objects back in their original places. Photograph and video
film the uncovered area both with and without the objects.

11. Establish the origin of the fire.

12. Investigate any potential fire sources.
13. Establish the possible cause of the fire.
Basic Methods of Fire Investigation

According to the PNP Criminal Investigation Manual (2010), here is the Basic Method of Fire
Investigation: ( there are 6 basic methods of fire investigation first is the preservation of the fire
scene, next is the examination of the fire scene , next is the recording of the fire scene, next is the
fire scene sketch, next is the Physical Evidence Examination and Testing, and lastly the sources of
information as I continue to discuss this topic we will know and understand each functions of the
6 basic methos of fire investigation. )

A. Preservation of the Fire Scene

a. Consider the fire scene itself as evidence.

b. Avoid contamination, loss or unnecessary movement of physical evidence within the fire scene.
c. Secure the fire scene from unauthorized intrusion.
d. Limit the access in the fire scene to those persons who only need to be there.

B. Examination of the Fire Scene

a. Examination should be thorough.

b. Analyze fire patterns.
C. Trace fire spread.
d. Identify areas and points of origin.
e. Identify the fuel involved.
f. Establish the corpus delicti by eliminating all natural or accidental causes.

C Recording the Fire Scene

a. Take photographs of the following:

1. External Views.
2. Identification of the property/Signage or house addresses number.
3. Out-building and grounds/ Aerial photographs
4. Interior of the building, room by room, in logical sequence. The series of shots should start at
the main door / entrance of the premises going inside. Series of photographs should also depict
unburned areas of the building.
5. Evidence, prior to removal, in close-up and wide angle shots. Use of "Title Sheet" that shows
identifying information of evidence is mandatory (date / location of evidence / investigating
team and other situational information).
6. Travel of fire or burn and flame spread patterns.
7. Label each canister of film used to prevent confusion or loss and maintain Photographic Log
(photo record).

b. Label each canister of film used to prevent confusion or loss and maintain Photographic Log
(photo record).

D. Fire Scene Sketch –

A sketch is made to assist investigators in presenting a clear picture of the involved building to the
court. The details may be general approximation or precise measurements. Supplemented by
 photographs, drawings of damage patterns, good documentation of a fire scene can assist an
investigator in re-analyzing a fire scene if previously unknown information becomes available (PNP,
2010, p. 181).

E. Physical Evidence Examination and Testing

a. Physical evidence should be thoroughly documented

before removal.

b. Evidence must be collected, identified, preserved and transported to the laboratory in the best
possible condition. Every effort should be made to prevent contamination of materials secured as
evidence. Containers for evidence may consist of thick self- sealing plastic bags of various sizes,
clean glass mason jars with rubber washers and screw tops, metal cans with clean pressure or plastic
lids, clean glass bottles with screw caps, and card-board or plastic boxes of assorted sizes.

c. Maintain the security and integrity of physical evidence from the time of its initial recovery and
collection to its subsequent examination and testing.

d. Evidence containing latent prints should be protected

so as not to smudge or destroy the prints.

e. A letter of instruction should be sent to the laboratory with the evidence, describing the same and
what the investigator expects the laboratory technician to recover via the various laboratory
processes.

F. Sources of Information

a. Preliminary interview with the owners/occupants

1. This interview is conducted to ascertain the name(s) of owner(s)/ occupant(s), insurance data,
employment, etc.
2. Nothing should be said or implied during this Interview to indicate any suspicion about the person
Interviewed

3. Information obtained in these preliminary contacts may provide possible clue as to an accidental fire,
or leads on possible suspects and motives

b. Insurance Firm

1. The insurance agent or broker will provide the name of the company/les, policy number(s),
terms of the Insurance and expiration dates, mortgage payable clause, name of the adjuster,
and whether or not the Insurance was in the period of cancellation.
2. It should also be ascertained, from the agent/broker who solicited the business, who suggested
the amount of coverage and whether the premium payment was current or delinquent.
3. The insurance adjusters can provide complete insurance information regarding the loss.
 4. Adjusters can also supply any statements taken from the assured and can be able to provide a
sworn proof of loss, which will include specific items claimed to be damaged or lost and which
may provide the investigator with information indicating an attempted fraud.
5. Should the investigation indicate probable fraud, the adjuster can request the interested
insurance company/ies to withhold payment during the course of the investigation.

c. Neighborhood Inquiry.

1. When conducting a neighborhood inquiry, interview persons within a wide area of the
surrounding community. Interview the person who discovered the fire, how he/she happened
to be in the area, the location of the fire when initially observed and other pertinent facts
2. Interview the person who turned on the alarm
3. Obtain observations from neighbors concerning the fire, prior to, during and after the fire
4. Ascertain the relationship of the owners(s)/ occupants() with the neighbors
5. Witness(es) information may be able to provide relative to the insured s domestic life, financial
condition, anticipated sale of the property and problems with the property such as flooding,
heating, change of routes, etc.
6. It is sometimes useful to take statements from any witnesses who appear to be hostile or who
may later change their testimonies.

d. Public Records

1. Legal records: deeds, mortgages of real estate and chattels, liens, encumbrance; local and
national taxes: hospital and mental records.

2. Financial and credit information: building and loan associations: charge accounts; public utilities
(i.e.. gas, water, electricity, telephone) servicemen (i.e., newsboy, milkman, etc.)

3. Employment records, military records, school records, juvenile court records.