Exercise: (lesson 2.

5)

I. In Natural Cover Firefighting, what is the most

importam factor to be considered, why?
2. In preparing a prefire plan on a specific building.
What is first thing that you must consider?
3. Why are prefire plans prepared for a selected building?
4. What are the two factors to be considered after
recogüing the specific problems involve in prefire
planning, why?
5. What are the factors involve in preparing
aircraft prefire plans, explain the
importance of these factors.
6. Enumerate the building code requirements, discuss
its importance.
7. What is a prefire plan?
8. Enumerate and discuss the most effective means of
combating natural cover fire before the fire actually
occurs.

9. Discuss the four distinct types of natural cdver

fires.
10. Explain how One-Lick method controls and
extinguish natural cover fire.

CHAPTER 3
Leison 3.1 - INVESTIGATION

This chapter will point out the main features, of fiùe •

investigation. Fire investigation is by nature the. basis for
fire program. Only an • in-depth analysis of what
sequences of events enable a fire to start, enabled it to
spread, and how and where it yas controlled (e.g., firefighting,
structural design, lack of fuel) can help prevent future
fires. Additionally, fire investigation includes the observaüons
of everyone involved, and at' the fires themselves there are
many firefighters who will able to shed light on the nature of
the fire, its progress, and so forth.

One of the most difficult problems to solve is to

determine

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the cause of the fire, since thè 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.

Firefighters often make snap judgments

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 pn the part
of the firefighte+s 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 Imown." 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
firefighters, when

they are not certain of the actual' cause, are faulty

wiring, children playing with matches, spontaneous
Combustion, sparks from stove, burnihg rubbish,' and
careless disposal of smoking materials.

•The very general • and indefinite nature of these

causes indicates that, in most cases, they are based on
assumptions, rather than on evidence.

In this relation, the material or book will assist

you in performing or conducting investigation to
determine the causes arid oriön bf a fire.

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 No matter how small, fire must be investigated. F ire
investigations 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 protecti0n personnel.

be
As far as fire investigation is concerned, they must 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 investigation. B oth are required
to correctly classify the fire, and also to prov ide 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 or aid; such

as lightning, spontane0US ignition, 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

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 3. Arson - fire cause as a result of the willful 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 md 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 Settings)

Fire Marshall
Fire Chief
Assistant Chief for Technical Service
Fire Inspector responsible for the specific
building
Senior Fire Officer at the fire scene
Photographer
Utilities Personnel (particularly electrician)
The first four individuals provide technical experience
for the investigation. The Senior Fire Officer from 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 firefighting operation; including exterior,
interior, special features, circumstances and the activities of the
investigators at work.
Utilities personnel provide technical assisnnce, particularly as to
the condition of electrical circuits 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.

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 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) use to
identify items; New or sterile glass jars
with rubb airtight seals used for the
collection of samples;
Envelopes, boxes, plastic bags, metal cans used for the collection
(assorted. sizes) used for collection of samples.

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Basic Steps in a Fire Scene 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 thorough,
complete, and orderly
Obsenre - 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 - establish a checklist
and check off each item. Settle one item before attempting
another if possible. Avoid backtracking.
Check and Veri9 Do not assume or take for ganted.
Don't jump to conclusions.
Take Note - write down all the details
Draw diagams - ampli9 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 suwey of the entire of
interior for the extent of fire damage.

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 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 oriön•,

Penetration of fire restrictive wall

coverings by fire;
Electric clock that has-þéen stopped by fire damage.
Note the time stopped and compare with alarm time, The time factors
should be estimatêd and considered as approximation 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 af 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 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 is 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 by layer until the floor is reached;

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 Completely clean the floÖr on all debris and char dust. The floor and
floor covering should be clean enough to observe and photograph the
sigycant 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 Pr0tected areas. During fire
progress, legs and bases of furniture and other
items on the floor will protect the
floor, leaving unburned marks which
will aid in repositioning.
Examine the floor coverings and floor for significant patterns.

Furnishings
Examine fire damaged furnishing 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 is indicative of the presence of a
smoldering source of ignition. Examination of
supporting springs will disclose that tension still

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;
Drapes and curtains; Kitchen range

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;

139
 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 damage;

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 Investigaüon

l. there is suspicion of arson in connection with any fire;

2. there is suspicion of negligence or
violation of regulations;
3. the cause of any fire is undetermined (to establish
the most probable cause);
4. there is evidence of negligence or
mismanagement in the fire suppression or
rescue operation,
5. loss of life or disabling as a result of
fire.
Arson Investigation

The direct result of the basic or

technical investigation or it may be
brought about from outside knowledge.

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 Character Traits of Qualified Arson Investigator

1. He should posses Imowledge of investigative

techniques;
2. He should have an insight of human behavior;
3. He should have a first hand knowledge of the chemistry of
fire and its behavior;
4. He should be resourceful.
Exercise (Lesson 3, 1)

A. - Indicate whether given statements concerning the

cause of fire is correct, mark it True, if a statement
is invalid mark it False and correct the wrong phrase/
s:

1.If after completing the investigation of a

fire, and the exact cause of the fire could not
be established, then the fire should be classified as
unlmown.
2. Any fire (other than arson) which results from either direct or
indirect human action should be classified as accidental.
3. As far as a fire investigator is concerned, the word
"causë" may be defined as "that which made the fire start,"
while "reason" means "that which led •to the cause of a fire."
4. Both the "cause" and the "reason" are required to
coirectlÿ classi9 thé fire.

5. When classiffing the cause. of a fire that resulted

from mechanical •malfunction of equipment, that fire is
classified' as accidental
6. During a fire investigation, most other causes
of fire must be eliminated before assuming an
incendiary cause.
When a fire results due to the
malfunctioning of equipment, the caUse for that
fire may be lack of proper care and maintenance of
the equipment

B - Given a series of incomplete statements concerning

personnel that make fire investigations, complete the
statements by filling in the correct word(s) and / or
phrase(s).

141
1. When technical assistance is required as to the condition of
certain electrical circuits and/or appliances, the
personnel to be consulted should be
2. As a fire chief, the proper selection of
personnel on a fire investigation team to
be relied upon are the

3. The persons who .are to examine and inspect the •a

fire scene should be carefully
number.
4. To require someone to be present during the fire
investigation to explain the meehanics of
extinguishment of the fire, that person should be

C. Point out 'how and/or why. given •acüons/functions are

performed as a part of a fre investigation.

1. Why must an investigatòr take photogaphs, make •notes and

sketches, and gather and record evidence?
2. How accurate are "stopped clockš" in fire
3. The depth of wood char at; or in close
proximity to the point of origin, will
help to establish what factor?
4. How may infrared phot03aphy prove valuable in fire
investigation?
5. How would you determine where thé fire startêd
first?

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Lesson 3.2 • 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 would counteract

arguments of alternative causes of the fire which might be
suggested at a later date. Photographs are also useful for
jogging the investigator's . memory at the time of writing the
report or before appearing in court. Also in extremely dark fire
scene the photog-aphs could provide detail which may not be
available using torch light.

Photog•aphs provide a pictorial representation which is

easily understood and evaluated. In making a report, the
investigator should provide at least one or two photog•aphs
wherever possible to support each observation he/she wishes to
preSent. The photographs should be numbered and captioned and
referred to as "Photograph 1, 2, etc."

A plan should also be made showing the view angles

of each photograph or alternatively the photographs should
be presented in a sequence which will provide some type of
continuity to allow the reader to determine the view angle
of each one.

Photographing the Exterior

Where to photogaph and what to photcgraph

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

building to show the overall deg-ee of fire damage and the
locations of the various entrances and windows;
2. The location of the building to
neighboring 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.
The exterior photographs. generally shows the nature and
material of construction and the •locations of the doors, windows,

143
chimneys, flues, electricity fuse box or gas meter. The-openings
where the fire vented are usually clearly shown in the exterior
photographs. Exterior burn patterns are generally easier to
interpret than the equWaIent interior burn pattern as they
generally provide good color and texture contrast, and are less
affected by smoke.

Panoramic views are valuable in reports as they provide

in detail an overall view of the scene. It can be produced
by joining together a sequence of photographs or by using a wide
angle lens of a disposable camera equipped with a wide angled
lens.

Photographing the Interior

Photographs of the interior of a
building are generally more difficult for
the viewer to interpret than the exterior
photographs as the interior surfaces are
usually burnt and covered with a layer of
soot. A good quality flash unit is essential
as the photographs need top provide as much
detail as possible to allow the
investigators to familiariie themselves with
the nature of the damage possibly the
identity and purpose of the room before the
fire.
Where to photograph and what to Photograph

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 damage, 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 oriön should be photograph before
excavation will commence and again photogaph should
be taken during excavation, if the) process has
yielded points of interest;

144
 4. At areas where an accelerant is suspected, the areas of
localized damage to; the floor as well as the overhead
damage should be photogaph;
5. The burn patterns at doorways 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 outside to allow closer inspection and be photographed in sunlight or later at
the laboratory.

Points of Entry and Security of Building

Fire brigade personnel will usually give an account of the security of a- building as
they found it. In many cases their accounts will need to be verified at each point of entry by an
inspection of the burn patterns and soot deposits to surface around the point of entry, and an
examination for tool marks.

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 window frames in the case of a sliding
aluminum window;
3. The position of the falling glass could both indicate the position
of the window at the time of the fire;

145
 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 photoga.ph.
Importance of Photography in Arson Investigation

Without evidence, arrest and prosecution of an arsonist is

extremely difficult. Photography is an effective tool in recording
and preserving the evidence of set fires. Much of the actual
evidence may be destroyed during firefighting, or if 'it survives
the fire, it may be impossible to preserve.
Every effort should be made to photograph the scene of a fire, whether or
not arson is suspected, before it is disturbed by other operations. Pictures may be used
to prove the intent to commit arson

Photography in Arson Investigation:

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

2. Help identi9 spectators. An arsonist often remains to watch the fire.

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

spreading.

4. Show the progressive stages of burning and fire fighting from various angles. If
possible keep a record of the time each picture was taken.
5. Help investigators determine the type of material/ s burning. This is where the use of
color film is recommended. The stèam, 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, suëh 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/es, paper, liquids (such as gas and paint' thinner), and
fuses. Although they may have burned completely, there could be a visible
trail, defective wiring and electrical or gas applianCes that may have been the
cause of the fire.

146
Figure 68 Photographing the Point of Origin

Figure 69 Photographing the Exterior

 (lesson 3.2)

1. What makes photographs very important in the field of

fire/ arson investigation?
2. Enumerate the different areas to be photograph and
discuss its importance in an arson inves¥tion.
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