FIRE INVESTIGATION

One of the most difficult problems to solve is to determine the cause of the fire, since
the flames generally consume any evidence of what occurred. This is the reason that
the cause of most fires cannot be determined without a long and careful investigation.

Fire fighters often make snap judgements at the scene as to the cause
of a fire, without an adequate evidence or sufficient investigation on which to
base their decision. Apparently, there is hesitation on the part of the fire fighters
to admit that they do not really know the real cause of the fire, since few fires
(approximately 4% of those reported) are listed as “cause known”. Instead, the
fire is attributed to various causes without apparent regard to actual evidence or
to lack of it.

Some of the favorite causes listed by fire fighters, when they are not
certain of the actual cause, are faulty wiring, children playing with matches,
spontaneous combustion, sparks from stove, burning rubbish, and careless
disposal of smoking materials.

No matter how small, fire must be investigated. Fire investigation

provide authorities with information needed to guide fire prevention
educational programs, help fire inspectors in spotting and eliminating new or
previously overlooked hazards, and develop meaningful information for
training fire protection personnel.

As far as fire investigation is concerned, they must be defined as:

 Cause- that which made the fire start; and

 Reason- that which led to the cause of a fire (a motive
leading to the action).

Both cause and reason must be established to satisfactorily

complete a fire investigation. The “cause” explains the existence of
fire, or the WHAT of investigation; while the “reason” establishes the
WHY of the fire, and also to provide guidance in establishing corrective
action to preclude a recurrence of the incident.
 The importance of the establishment of a fire cause is the
knowledge of the physical aspects of fire.

Four General Classes of Fire Causes

1. Natural Fire- fire caused naturally without

human intervention or aid; such as lightning,
spontaneous ignition, and mechanical
malfunction of equipment.
2. Accidental Fire- fire causes where human
action is involved directly or indirectly. i.e. a).
Careless disposal of smoking materials; b).
workers using welding- cutting equipment
3. Arson- fire causes as a result of the wilful
and criminal action of some persons, i.e.,
incendiary fire.
4. Unknown Fire- fires which are not classified
as to cause.

Three General Classifications of Fire

1. Innocent Fire- e.g., natural and accidental causes.

2. Incendiary Fire- e.g., arson cases.
3. Unknown Fire- e.g., fire of unknown causes.

Person/s Responsible to Examine and Inspect the Fire Scene

(American Setting)

 Fire Marshall
 Fire Chief
 Assistant Chief for technical Service
 Fire Inspector responsible for the specific building
 Senior Fire Officer at the scene
 Photographer
 Utilities Personnel (particularly electrician)
 The first four individuals provide technical experience for the
investigation. The Senior Fire Officer for the fire incident is present to
explain what was observed during the fire and to report on the
mechanics or what transpire during the extinguishment of the fire.

Photographer provides complete coverage, beginning with pictures

during the fire fighting operation; including exterior, interior, special
features, circumstances and the activities of the investigators at work.

Utilities personnel provide technical assistance, particularly as to

the condition of electrical circuits and appliances.

Fire Investigation and Evidence Kit

Evidence kit provides equipment for use in the investigation and

for the preservation of any evidence found at the scene after that
evidence has been photograph in its original location.

 Special clothing such as: coverall, gloves, boots used

to protect uniform;
 Flashlight and electric lantern;
 Measuring tape and small ruler for making
measurements;
 Labels (gummed and stringed) used to identify items;
 New or sterile glass jars with rubber airtight seals
used for the collection of samples.
 Envelops, boxes, plastic bags, metal cans used for
the collection (assorted sizes) used for collection of
samples.

Basic Steps in a Fire Examination

 Search systematically- make a plan, have in mind what
you will look for, the way you will look, and what you will do
with each item found and collected. Be through, complete,
and orderly.
 Observe- use your eyes, ears, nose, and camera if possible
to note the conditions. Observe the fire and the spectators.
 Take Photograph- the camera records more details than
the naked eye. Establish visual reference through numerous
 photograph each area several times during the various
phases of investigation. Infrared photography may prove
extremely valuable since it is sensitive to differences in
heat.
 Work by the Process of Elimination- establishes a
checklist and check off each item. Settle one item before
attempting another but possible. Avoid backtracking.
 Check and Verify- do not assume or take for granted. Don’t
jump to conclusions.
 Take note- write down all the details.
 Draw Diagrams- amplify notes with diagrams depicting
locations of incidents described.


Areas to Conduct Fire Investigation

Exterior- Determine where the fire vested first by
comparing burn char, smoke and heat patterns around windows,
doors, and roof.

Look for the following:

 Exterior points of origin;
 Unusual burn patterns of flammable
liquid;
 Tools and flammable liquid containers;
 Footprints and scuff marks at suspected
points of entry.

Interior- conduct a cursory examination or general survey of

the entire structure of interior for the extent of fire damage.
Establish the class of fire duration (brief or long) and the
approximate burn time by checking the following:

 Window glass condition

 Depth of wood char, at or in close
proximity to the point of origin;
 Penetration of fire restrictive wall
coverings by fire.
 Electric clock that has been stopped by
fire damage.
  Note the time stopped and compare with
alarm time. The time factors should be
estimated and considered as
approximately only.

Steps on How to Determine the Point of Origin

1. Examine the entire interior of the building and determine
which room or areas has received the most severe fire
damage. Generally, this will be the area where the fire burned
extensively or the longest and will very likely be where it
originated.
2. Determine the level or origin within the room by examining
and comparing the bottom side of the tables, shelves and
chairs.
3. Examine the ceiling and look for the following patterns, a) fire
penetration and b) heaviest fire exposure.
4. Examine the light bulbs within the room. The side of the bulbs
which is initially exposed to heat begin to swell or bulge and
lose shape at about 900 degrees F when exposed to heat for
10 minutes or more actually point to the area of fire origin.
5. Examine walls within the room and look for the fire patterns or
fire cones. Fires generally burn upward and outward, leaving
corresponding fire patterns on wall as a result of heat transfer
through convection and radiation. The steepness or relative
pitch of the angle seen on the fire cone in indicative of the
type of burning, e.g., smoldering or Flaming.

DEBRIS
Examine the fire debris and the floor in the following manner:

 Conduct a detailed search of the debris, examining it

layer until the floor is reached;
 Completely clean the floor on all debris and char
dust. The floor and floor covering should be clean
 enough to observe and photograph the significant
burn and char patterns and should be dry.
 Carefully reconstruct and replace furnishings and
other articles in their original positions by using burn
patterns and corresponding protected areas. During
fire progress, legs and bases of furniture and other
items on the floor will protect the floor, leaving
unburned marks which aid in responding.
 Examine the floor coverings and floor for significant
patterns.

FURNISHINGS
Examine fire damaged furnishings such as: Upholstered furniture
couches, chairs, beds. Etc.

Two (2) General Types of Burn Pattern

 Burn pattern that involves a surface burning of the
item. This pattern in indicative of the presence of a
smouldering source of ignition. Examination of
supporting springs will disclose that tension still exists.
 Burn patterns involving deep penetration of one portion
with corresponding collapse of springs and frame
destruction. Spring collapse is caused when the
heating process occurs over an extended length of
time, causing the springs to lose their tension and
collapses of their own weight.

TYPES OF FURNISHING
 Upholstered furniture;
 Television sets and table radios;
 Kitchen range;
 Drapes and curtains
FIRE REPORT
Fire reports of all fires, regardless of sizes, should be completed.
This report should be initiated and completed without delay. The
contents of the fire report may contain the following information.

1. Time of incident
2. Location of incident
3. Size and nature of fire
4. Fire involvement
5. Fire department plant response
6. Injuries and fatalities
7. Time fire extinguished
8. Most probable cause
9. Follow-up and corrective action required

Types of Fire/Arson Investigation

Basic Investigation

PURPOSES:
1. To determine what property was damaged
2. What the causes and reasons were
3. The number and extent of injuries or fatalities and
4. The recommended corrective actions to prevent recurrence

Technical Investigation
It is an in depth investigation to determine more specific details
of the cause and effects, and to establish necessary corrective action.

Reasons in Conducting Technical Investigation

1. There is suspicion of arson in connection with any fire
2. There is suspicion of negligence or violation of
regulations
3. The cause of an y fire is undetermined (to establish the
most probable cause)
4. Loss of life or disabling as a result of fire
 5. There is evidence of negligence or mismanagement in
the fire suppression or rescue operation.

Arson Investigation
The direct result of the basic or technical investigation or it may
be brought about from outside knowledge.

Character Traits of Qualified Arson Investigator

1. He should possess knowledge of investigate
techniques.
2. He should have an insight of human behaviour.
3. He should have a first-hand knowledge of the chemistry
of fire and its behaviour.
4. He should be resourceful.

PHOTOGRAPHING THE FIRE SCENE

The use of photographs to document much of the evidence and
to support the observations, opinions and conclusions the investigators wish
to make as to the cause of the fire will support the investigator’s findings.
Photographs also provide evidence which should counteract
arguments of alternative causes of the fire which might be suggested at a
later date. Photographs are also useful for jogging the investigators memory
at the time of writing the report or before appearing in court. Also in
extremely dark fire scene using torch light.

Photographing the Exterior

Where to photograph and what

1. From all sides or at least to opposite corners of

the building to show the overall degree of fire
 damage and the locations of the various entrances
and windows;
2. The location of the building to neighbouring
buildings or fire fighting access areas
3. Any object which may be material to the
circumstances of the fire
4. Type of tracks, footprints and the location of
explosion debris are photographed in close details
as well as from a distance.

Photographing the Interior:

1. All rooms and areas inside the building affected by the fire, the
photographs should be sequentially presented in a report from the
areas of least damage to the areas of greatest, or to the area of fire
origin, if this is not the area of greatest damage.
2. The peripheral areas where the fire had not originated.

3. The area of fire origin should be photograph before excavation will

commence and again photograph should be taken during
excavation, if the process has yielded points of interest;

4. At areas where an accident is suspected, the areas of localized

damage to the floor as well as the overhead damage should be
photograph.

5. The burn patterns at windows should be photograph to show the

spread of the fire between rooms. The burn patterns on the walls in
hallways normally show the room from which the fire originated and
the direction of spread of the fire.

6. Appliances suspected of causing the fire should be photographed

from a distance and in close up in the location where they were
found. The remains should be taken to allow closer inspection and
be photographed in sunlight or later at the laboratory.
 Points of Entry and Security of Building:

Where to Photograph and what to Photograph:

1. The doors should be first photograph in the position in which they

were found. If the door was found closed then both sides of the
door should be photograph.

2. The burn patterns and soot deposits around the door and the
door frame should be photograph as they normally ascertain the
position of the door at the time of the fire;

3. Any parts of the door or lock which may have been dislodged as
a result of some type of forced entry should be photograph at the
location where they were found and later reconstructed at their
original position.

On Windows:

1. The position at the time of the fire should also be determined and
the evidence used for such an evaluation should be photograph;

2. The position of the windows frames in the case of a sliding

aluminium windows;

3. The position of the falling glass could both indicate the position of
the window at the time of the fire;
4. The smoke and heat patterns above a window can also indicate the
position of the window at the time of the fire should also be
photographed;

5. The window locks should also be recovered and photograph.

Importance of Photography in Arson Investigation

1. Show the areas in which the fire started or was set.

2. Help identify spectators. An arsonist often remains to watch the

fire.

3. Provide information about the speed of combustion and direction of

spreading.
4. a record of the time each picture was taken.

5. Help investigators determine the type of materials burning. This is

where the use of color film is recommended. The steam, color and
quantity of smoke and the color and size of flames are indications of
what type of material is burning. The color of smoke often indicates
whether an accelerant, such as gas, was used to speed the burning
process.

6. Give particular attention to the most burned charred areas. The

structure should be photographed from all sides or angles to show
the damaged areas. Other things to look for are incendiary devices
and combustible materials, such as matchbox, paper, flammable
liquids and fuses. Although they may have been burned completely,
there could be a visible trail, defective writing and electrical or gas
appliances that may have been the cause of fire.