FIRE TECHNOLOGY & ARSON

INVESTIGATION
WHAT IS FIRE?

• A manifestation of rapid
chemical reaction occurring
between fuel and an oxidizer.
• It produces physical effects
with evolution of heat and light.
This reaction is called
combustion.
CHEMISTRY OF FIRE

1. FUEL - Combustible materials to vaporize

and burn

2. OXYGEN - Oxygen in air is the common

oxidizing agent to combine with the fuel
vapour,
 air contains 21% O, 78 N, 1% inert gas

3. HEAT - to raise the temperature of the fuel

vapour to its ignition temperature.
 Elements of Fire
and the Fire Triangle
Oxygen Sources Heat Sources
Approximately 16% Required To Reach Ignition Temperature
Normal air contains 21% O2. Open Flames - The Sun
Some fuel materials contain Hot Surfaces
sufficient oxygen within their Sparks and Arcs
makeup to support burning. Friction - Chemical Action
Electrical Energy
Compression of Gases

Physical State

Solid Liquids Gas

Bulky - Dust Gasoline Kerosene Natural Gas Propane

Finely Divided Coal Turpentine Alcohol Butane Hydrogen
Wood Paper Liver Oil Paint Acetylene
Cloth Plastic Varnish Lacquer Carbon Monoxide
Grain Others Olive Oil Others Others
WHAT TAKES PLACE?
• With elements of fire, combustion takes place.
• Before a fuel will burn, it must be changed to its
vapour state.
• In a fire situation, this change usually results from
the initial application of heat. The process is known
as PYROLYSIS.
• Pyrolysis (thermal decomposition) - “chemical
decomposition of matter through the action of
heat”. In this case, the decomposition causes a
change from a solid state to vapour state. Of the
vapour mixes sufficiently with air and heated to
high temperature, combustion results.
 FUEL

HEAT

The introduction of Chain Reaction converts the Fire Triangle

into a Fire Tetrahedron – this makes fire continue to burn
(or sustain combustion). Removing any one of the four elements of
the tetrahedron extinguishes the fire.
WHAT ARE THE
PROPERTIES OF FIRE?
1. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
2. CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
1. Specific Gravity – ratio of the weight of a solid or
liquid substance to the weight of an equal volume of
water.
2. Vapor density – weight of a volume of pure gas
composed to the volume of dry air at the same
temperature and pressure.
3. Vapor Pressure - force exerted by the molecules on
the surface of a liquid.
4. Temperature – measure of the degree of thermal
agitation of molecules.
5. Boiling Point – constant temperature at which the
vapour pressure of the liquid is equal to the
atmospheric pressure.
6. Ignition/Kindling temperature – minimum temperature
at which the substance must be heated in order to
initiate combustion.
7. Fire point – lowest temperature of a liquid in an open
container at which vapours are evolved fast enough to
support combustion.
THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

1. Endothermic reactions – changes

whereby energy (heat) is absorbed or
is added before the reaction takes
place.
2. Exothermic reactions – those that
release or give off energy (heat) thus
they produce substances with less
energy than reactants.
3. Oxidation – a chemical change that is
exothermic, a change in which
combustible material (fuel) and an
oxidizing agent (air), react.
4. Flames – flames are incandescent
gases.
Types of Flames

• Based on Color and Completeness of Combustibility

of Fuel
1. Luminous Flame – is orange-red, deposit soot at
the bottom of a vessel being heated due to
incomplete combustion and has a low
temperature.
2. Non-Luminous Flame – is blue, there is
complete combustion of fuel and has relatively
high temperature.
Types of Flames

• Based on Fuel and Air Mixture

1. Premixed Flame – is exemplified by a Bunsen-
type laboratory burner where hydrocarbon (any
substance containing primarily carbon and
hydrogen) is thoroughly mixed with air before
reaching the flame zone.
2. Diffusion Flame – is observed when gas (fuel)
alone is force through a nozzle into the
atmosphere which diffuses in the surrounding
atmosphere in order to form a flammable
mixture. The flame of the oxyacetylene torch
(diffused – dispersed, widely spread)
Types of Flames

• Based on Smoothness
1. Laminar Flame – when a particle
follows smooth through a gaseous
flame.
2. Turbulent Flame – are those having
unsteady, irregular flows. As physical
size, gas density or velocity is
increases all laminar gas flows tend to
become turbulent.
•
Classification of Fires

1. Based on Cause
 Natural causes
 Accidental Causes
2. Intentional causes (Incendiary)
 Accelerant
 Plant
 Trailer
3. Based on Burning Fuel (the classes
of fire)
 Class A, B, C, D, K
Classification of Fires

• Based on Cause
• Natural causes
a. Spontaneous heating – the automatic chemical
reaction that results to spontaneous
combustion due to auto-ignition of organic
materials
b. Lightning – (a form of static electricity)
a natural current with a great magnitude
producing tremendous amperage and voltage.
a. Radiation of sunlight – when sunlight hits a
concave mirror, concentrating the light on a
combustible material thereby igniting it.
Classification of Fires

• Based on Cause
• Accidental Causes
a. Electrical accidents
1) Short Circuit
2) Arcing
3) Sparking
4) Induced Current
5) Over heating of electrical appliances
b. Purely Accidental Causes
c. Negligence and other forms of
human error
Classification of Fires

• Intentional causes (Incendiary)

• Accelerant – highly flammable
chemicals used to facilitate flame
propagation.
• Plant – preparation and/or gathering
of combustible materials needed to
start a fire.
• Trailer – preparation of flammable
substances in order to spread the
fire.
Classification of Fires

• Based on Burning Fuel (the

classes of fire)
1. Class A Fire
2. Class B Fire
3. Class C Fire
4. Class D Fire
5. Class E Fire
6. Class K Fire
Fires are classified into different classes
for purposes of identification

 CLASS A fires:
 These are fires involving all types of solid fuel such as:
trash, wood, paper, clothing, plastics, styrophomes, etc.

 WATER is the most effective means of

extinguishing Class A fires.
 CLASS B fires:

 These are fires involving all types of Liquid and Gaseous

fuels: Kerosene, Gasoline, Diesel, Paints, Oil, LPG, etc.

 WATER is not an effective means of

extinguishing Class B fires.

Best extinguishing are:

 Dry Chemical type fire extinguishers
 Carbon Dioxide or CO2
 AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam
 Sand
 CLASS C fires:

 These are fires involving energized Electrical Equipment:

 All types of electrical appliances, power generators, etc.

 Never use WATER in extinguishing

Class C fires. Shut off first the source of
power before attempting to extinguish the fire.

Best extinguishers are:

 Dry Chemical type fire extinguishers
(Non-conductive extinguishing agents)
 Carbon Dioxide or CO2 (in normal
conditions)
 When electrical equipment is de-
energized,
extinguishers for Class A or B may be
used.
 CLASS D fires:

 These are fires involving combustible Metals, such as:

Magnesium, Zirconium, Titanium, Sodium, Lithium,
Potassium, etc.
 Extinguishments of Class D fires requires:
 heat-absorbing medium that does not
react with the burning materials.

Best extinguishant are:

 Dry Powder by crusting, smothering or
heat-transfer.
 MET-L-X Powder in extinguisher form.
 CLASS E fires:

 Involves Nuclear Power or Atomic fission.

 CLASS K fires:

K
 Involves Combustible Cooking Media, such as:
Vegetable or Animal Oils and Fats.

 Extinguishments of Class K fires requires:

 use of Wet Chemical Base extinguishing agents
AFFF or FFFP (Film Forming Flouro-Protein)
 Dry Chemical Base extinguishing agents,
such as: “PURPLE K”
HEAT TRANSFER

1. CONDUCTION - transfer of heat through direct

physical contact such as the travel of heat on electrical
wires or the flow of current from energized electricity.

2. CONVECTION - transfer of heat through circulation of

fluid or hot gases which tends to rise up with the
increase in temperature.

3. RADIATION - a form of energy traveling across a

space or through materials as electromagnetic waves,
such as light, radio waves, or X-rays
CONDUCTION
 Smoke

Smoke
Toxic Gases
Toxic Gases
Heat, will rise as high as 1,400°F
Flames
Flame •
Heat

6 to 12 inches from the floor, there is always fresh air

The products of combustion Smoke, Heat, Flame, and

Toxic Gases – are the contributors that affects the
problems of surviving in this type of atmosphere. The only
chance an individual can do is to crawl low and look for the door.
Heat generates thermal energy and may
travel in any direction that will affect
clusters of houses.
FIRE BEHAVIOR
1. Thermal Balance
• rising movement or the pattern of fire, the
normal behaviour when the pattern is
undisturbed.
2. Thermal imbalance
• abnormal movement of fire due to the
interference of foreign matters.
Dangerous Behavior of Fire

1. Back draft – sudden and rapid (violent) burning of

heated gases in a confined area that occurs in the
form of explosion.
2. Flashover – the sudden ignition of accumulated
radical gases produced when there is incomplete
combustion of fuels.
3. Fireballs - very intense fire that is capable of
causing flames to jump at a certain distance in the
form of fireball.
4. Flash Fire - better known as dust explosion. This
may happen when the metal post that is
completely covered with dust is going to be hit by
lighting.
The Three Stages of Fire
What is Incipient Phase?

• temperature at the base is 400-800F,

• ceiling temperature is about 200F,
• pyrolysis products are mostly water vapor
and carbon dioxide, small quantities of
carbon monoxide and sulfides maybe
present.
What is Free Burning Phase?

• accelerated pyrolysis process take place

• development of convection
• formation of thermal columns as heat rises
• temperature is 800-1000F at the base of
fire
• 1200-1600 F at ceiling
• pyrolytic decomposition moves upward on
the walls (crawling of the flame) leaving
burnt patterns (fire fingerprints)
• occurrence of flashover.
Smouldering Phase
• oxygen content drops to 13% or below
causing the flame to vanish and heat to
develop in layers
• products of incomplete combustion
increase in volume, particularly carbon
monoxide with an ignition temperature of
about 1125 F
• ceiling temperature is 1000 – 13000 F, heat
and pressure in the room builds up
• room contains large quantities of
superheated fuel under pressure but little
oxygen, when sufficient supply of oxygen
is introduced, backdraft occurs.
What is Fire Protection?
• methods used by the bureau to stop,
extinguish and control destructive fire for
eventual prevention of loss of life and
property.
• Objectives: prevent destructive fire from
starting, extinguish ongoing destructive
fire, confine a destructive fire at the place
where it began and prevent loss of life and
property when fire starts.
What is Fire Prevention?

• safety measures utilized to stop

harmful or destructive fire from
starting.
• Fire protection and control is
affected by the accumulation of
fire hazards in a building or
area.
The Bureau of Fire Protection
(BFP)

• R. A. 6975, the DILG Act of 1990

(Chap 4, Sec 53-59) created the
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)
• responsible for the prevention
and suppression of all
destructive fires and to enforce
the laws on fire.
Bureau of Fire Protection
VISION MISSION

“A modern, “To protect life and

effective and property thru the prevention
responsive and suppression of
National Fire destructive fires,
Protection investigation of their
agency working causes, and the provision of
towards a emergency medical and
public safety rescue services with the
conscious active support of the
society”. community”.
Laws related with fire
prevention
• PD1185 - Fire Code of the
Philippines (26 August 1977),
• PD1096, Building Code of the
Philippines (19 February 1977)
• Republic Act No. 9263
• AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE
PROFESSIONALIZATION OF THE BUREAU OF FIRE
PROTECTION (BFP) AND THE BUREAU OF JAIL
MANAGEMENT AND PENOLOGY (BJMP), AMENDING
CERTAIN, PROVISIONS OF REPUBLIC ACT NO.
6975, PROVIDING FUNDS THEREOF AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES
• March 10, 2004
What Factor Affects Fire
Protection and Control?

• Fire protection and control is

affected by the accumulation of
fire hazards in a building or
area.
What is Fire Hazard?

• condition or act that increases

the probability that fire will
occur; or
• interferes with fire fighting
operations
Condition of Fire
Hazards
• Existence of combustible or explosives
• Improperly installed equipment.
• Lack of adequate exit facilities.
• Obstruction at fire escapes
• Dangerous accumulation of rubbish waste
• Accumulation of dust in ventilation system
• grease in the kitchen.
• Building under repair.
• Very old building or building is primarily made of
combustible materials.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS
AND EXTINGUISHMENT

• an activity intended to save lives and

property.
• most important emergency services in a
community.
 TEMPERATURE REDUCTION

most common methods of extinguishment is

cooling with water.
Fire Extinguisher

•
• A Fire Extinguisher is a mechanical device,
usually made of metal, containing chemicals, fluids,
or gasses for stopping fires, the means for
application of its contents for the purpose of
putting out fire before it propagates, and is capable
of being readily moved from place to place.
• It is also a portable device used to put out fires
of limited size
 FUEL REMOVAL

Removing the fuel source effectively extinguishes

some fires.
 OXYGEN EXCLUSION

Reduction of oxygen concentration at the burning

area by separating oxygen from the fuel.
 CHEMICAL FLAME INHIBITION

Extinguishing agents such as some dry chemicals

and halogenated agents (halons) interrupt the
combustion reaction and stop flaming.
Fire Fighting Equipment

1. Communication Systems

• alert fire fighters at the outbreak of a fire.

• Most fire alarms are the telephoned to the fire
department. Many countries have introduced a
simple, 3 digit number as the telephone number
to call in emergencies.
• In the Philippines, the emergency line is 166.
• 2. Fire Vehicles
•
• Fire fighters have several types of fire vehicles.
The main types are (1) engines, 2(2) ladder
appliances, and (3) rescue vehicles.
• Engines, also called water tenders, have a
large pump that takes from a fire hydrant or other
source. The pump boots the pressure of the water
and forces it through hoses. Engines carry several
sizes of hoses and nozzles. Many also have a small-
diameter hose called a booster line, which is wound
on a reel. The booster line is used chiefly to put out
small outdoor fires.
• Ladder appliances – There are two kinds of ladder
appliances-turntable ladders and hydraulic
platforms.
• A turntable ladder appliances has a metal
extension ladder mounted on a turntable. The
ladder can be raised as high as 30 meters, or about
eight storeys.
• A hydraulic platform truck has a cage-like
platform that can hold several people. The platform
is attached to a lifting device that is mounted on a
turntable.
• Fire Fighting Vehicles – are
equipped with portable ladders
of various types and sizes. They
also carry forcible entry tools,
which fire fighters use to gain
entry into a building and to
ventilate it to let out smoke.
Common forcible entry tools
include axes, power saws, and
sledge hammers.
• Rescue vehicle are enclosed vehicles equipped
with forcible entry tools and ladder appliances. But
rescue vehicles also carry additional equipment for
unusual rescues. They have such tools as
oxyacetylene torches, for cutting through metal
and hydraulic jacks, for lifting heavy objects. They
may also carry other hydraulic tools.
• Special Fire Vehicles include airport crash
tenders and hazardous materials units.
Airport crash tenders are engines that
spray foam or dry chemicals on burning
aircraft. Water is ineffective against many
aircraft fires, such as those that involve jet
fuel or certain metals.
• In addition to the above fire fighting
equipment, fire fighters are also required
to use protective clothing.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

1. PRE-FIRE PLANNING –
• developing and defining
systematic course of actions that
maybe performed in order to
realize the objectives of fire
protection.
• involves the process of
establishing the SOP in case fire
breaks out.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

2. EVALUATION/SIZE – UP –
• knowing the emergency
situation.
• evaluation by the officer-in-
charge to determine the
appropriate course of action
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

3. EVACUATION –
• transferring people, livestock, and
property away from burning area
to minimize damage in case fire
propagates.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

• ENTRY –
• process if accessing the burning
structure.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

• RESCUE –
• operation of removing, thus,
saving, people and other livestock
from the burning building and other
involved properties, conveying
them to a secure place.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

• EXPOSURE –
• also called cover exposure,
• securing other buildings near the
burning structure in order to
prevent the fire from spreading.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

• CONFINEMENT –
• restricting the fire at the place
where it started: the process of
preventing fire from extending
from another section or from one
section to another section of the
involved building.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

• VENTILATION – This the

operation purposely conducted
to displace toxic gases. It
includes the process of
displacing the heated
atmosphere within the involved
building with normal air from
outside atmosphere.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

• SALVAGE – the activity of

protecting the properties from
preventable damage other than
the fire, the steps are a) remove
the material outside the burning
area, and b) protecting or cover
the materials by using
tarpaulins (cotton canvass
treated with water proofing).
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

• EXTINGUISHMENT – This is the

process of putting out the main
body of fire by using the 4
general methods of fire
extinguishments.
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

• OVERHAUL
• the complete and detailed check of the
structure to eliminate conditions that
may cause re-flash;
• involves complete extinguishment of
sparks or smoldering (glowing)
substances (embers)
FIRE FIGHTING OPERATIONS

• FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION

• the final stage of fire suppression
activities.
• It is an inquiry conducted to know
the origin and cause of fire.
 WHAT IS ARSON?
• It is the malicious destruction of
property by fire.
• It consists of willful and malicious
burning of all kinds of buildings
and structure including personal
property.
What are the bases and extent of
criminal liability in arson?

• Kind and character of the

building
• Its location
• Extent of damage or value
• Its state of being inhabited
or not.
Method of proof in arson

• Physical evidence in arson is

often destroyed. The proof,
corpus delicti must be shown
and the identity of the arsonist
established.

• Corpus Delicti – the fact that a

crime was committed
The following are the corpus
delicti of arson:
1. Burning – that there was fire which may be shown
by direct testimony of complainants, firemen
responding to the crime, other eyewitnesses.
Burn parts of the building may also indicate
location.

2. Criminal design – must be shown that it was

willfully and intentionally done. The presence of
the incendiary devices, such as gasoline,
kerosene, may indicate that the fire was not
accidental.
Corpus Delicti of Arson cont…

3. Evidence of intent – when

valuables were removed
before the fire, absence of
effort to put out the fire and
such other indications.
Motives of arsonists:

1. Economic Gain
• Insurance fraud (to gain)
• To dispose merchandise – stock on hand may
have desire to lost market.
• Existing business transaction which the
arsonist would like to avoid such as impending
liquidation, settlement of estate, need of cash,
prospective business failure, and increase
rentals.
Motives of arsonists cont..

2. Concealment of Crime – to hide a crime that was

previously committed. (e.g.?)

3. Punitive Measure – to inflict injury to another due to

hatred, jealousy or revenge.

4. Intimidation or economic disabling – these are

saboteurs, strikers to intimidate management and
employers.
Motives of arsonists cont..
5. Pyromania – It is the uncontrollable impulse of a
person to burn anything without motivation. They do
not run away from the fire scene since they love
watching fire.

Classes of Pyromania:
• Abnormal Youth – such as imbeciles and morons
• Hero type – a person will set a building on fire and
pretends to discover it, turn in the alarm or make
some rescue works to appear as a “hero” (KSP)
• Drug addicts and alcoholics
• Sexual deviates and perverts
 What constitute arson?
1. Burning – to constitute burning, there must be some
burning or charring, e.g. the fiber of the wood must
be destroyed, its identity changed.
2. Willfulness – means intentional and implies that the
act was done purposely and intentionally.
3. Malice – denotes hatred or ill will or a desire for
revenge
4. Motive – is the moving power that induce a person to
commit a crime.
5. Intent – is the purpose or design to do the act (crime)
and involves the will.
Telltale (Indicative) signs of
arson

• Burned Building – the type of

the building may indicate a set
fire under some
circumstances.

• Separate Fires – when two or

more separate fires occurred
within a building
Telltale signs of arson cont…
• Color of smoke – smoke will indicate the
material used by the arsonist.
• When white smoke appears before the
water from the fire hose comes in contact
with the fire, it indicates humid material
burning. Ex. Burning hay
• Biting smoke, irritating the nose and
throat and causing coughing indicates
presence of chlorine.
• Black smoke indicates lack of air but if
accompanied by large flames, it indicates
petroleum products and rubber.
Telltale signs of arson cont…

• Color of Flame - good

indication of the intensity of
the fire.
• Blue flame indicates the use of
alcohol as accelerants.
Telltale signs of arson cont…
• Size of Fire
• Direction of Travel – normally, fire will
follow the wind direction.
• Intensity
• Odor – odor of gasoline, alcohol,
kerosene, and other inflammable
liquids which are often used as
accelerants may be smelt at the fire
scene
Telltale signs of arson cont…
• Condition of content – Objects of
value REMOVED.
• Doors and windows – locked doors
and obstructed entrance and passage
ways sometimes point to an attempt
to obstruct fire fighting operation.
• Doors and windows showing signs
of forced entry may point to arson
preceded by robbery.
 Fireman’s responsibility in
arson detection
• The responsibility of a fireman is “arson
detection” rather than arson investigation.

• What then the firemen should do when

responding to a fire scene?
I. Observing general conditions at
the scene of the fire.

A. Upon Approaching the Fire

1. Observing the elements. The record of a fire
should include weather conditions.
2. Observe persons and automobiles –
3. Observe color of smoke and flame.

 color of smoke is a rather reliable indication of the type

of fire to be extinguished.
 color of flame – substances burning are responsible for
both color of smoke and color of flame.
Meaning of color of smoke and flames:

1. Black Smoke with deep red flames.

 Petroleum products, tar, rubber.
2. Heavy brown smoke with bright red flame.
1. Nitrogen Products.
3. Black Smoke with red and blue-green flames.
 Asphalt.
4. Purple/violet.
 Burning of potassium.
5. Greenish-yellow flames.
 Burning of Chlorine or manganese
6. Bright reddish-yellow flames. B
 Burning of calcium.
B. Upon Arrival at the Fire Scene
1. Observe number of separate fires, intensity and
rapidity of spread.
• Was there more than one fire burning?

• Were doors fastened in an open position to

allow the fire to spread
2. Observe odors and methods required to
extinguish flames.
• Odors detected at fire are often of value in determining
what flammable substances were present.
 II. Observing condition of building
openings at the time of a fire.
1. Find out whether doors and windows are locked.
 The possibility of outsiders having gained
entrance Is important.
2. Determine condition of doors, windows and locks.
 The presence of “jimmy marks “on jambs might be
indicative of robbery followed by arson to cover the
crime.
3. Observing owners, occupants and bystanders at the
time of a fire.
a. Observe dress and manner of persons at the fire.
b. Look for familiar faces.
III. Locating evidence of fire
causes
1. Look for indications of arson intent.
a. Multiple Fires
b. Odors
- Ammonia has a very pungent odor readily
recognizable by firemen. It is generally used by
the arsonist to keep firemen out of a building, or
in an attempt to “kill” the odor of gasoline.
c. Undue Wood Charring and Uneven Wood Burning.
 The application of petroleum products to wood
causes a deep unnatural burning.
d. Inoperative Sprinkler, and Fire Doors.

Arsonists may tamper supply valves and silence the

alarms
2. Look for arson materials and
arson equipment.
• “plants”
• “Trailers”
• “Accelerants”
 In many incendiary fires, when fuels are intentionally
distributed or “trailed” from one area to another, the elongated
patterns may be visible. Such fire patterns, known as “TRAILERS,”
can be found along floors to connect separate fire sets, or up
stairways to move fires from one floor or level within a
structure to another. Fuels used for trailers may be ignitable
liquids, solids, or combinations of these.

Trailer running up a stairway.

IV. Protecting and preserving
evidence

• Two things should be kept clearly

in mind:
• Keeping the evidence where it is,
untouched and undisturbed, if at all
possible.
• Properly identifying, removing and
safeguarding such evidence
V. Points on protecting and
preserving evidence
• Evidence remaining at the scene of a fire can be
protected in various ways:
• Do overhauling and salvage work carefully.
• Handle evidence as little as possible.
• Place barricades, or rope off area around
evidence.
• Have photos taken by a qualified photographer at
the scene of the fire when evidence must be
removed.
VI. Observing condition of contents
of a building involved in a fire.

1. Watch for indications of removal of personal articles.

- Jewelries; any valuable item or item with
sentimental value
2. Watch for indications of removal of valuable
merchandise.
VII. Recording and reporting
observations made at a fire

• Note taking
• record unusual circumstances or conditions
which may be of a suspicious nature with
respect to the origin of the fire.
• Notes are used in court for the purpose of
refreshing the memory.
VIII. Appearing in court in an
arson case.

• The fireman acting as a witness

should make every effort, to present
his testimony in all fairness to the
defendant.
Fire investigator’s responsibility in
fire investigation

• The fire investigator is a specialist

operating in a unique field. (F.I. vs. C.I.)

• The fire investigator is a person with the

field experience and technical training
necessary to collect and evaluate factual
information and identify criminal activity in
situations where others perceive only
confusion and chaos.
Goal of the Fire Investigator

• Primary Goal
• To determine the truth.
• In seeking the truth, the investigator must
complete a post-fire examination of the
structure or vehicle that is the subject of a
suspicious fire and determine the origin and
cause of the fire.
Goal of the Fire Investigator
cont…

• Secondary Goal
• To identify and move against those responsible.
• A fire investigator who has reason to believe
that arson was committed is morally and
professionally obliged to develop the case to its
fullest extent.
Determining the Origin and
Cause of the Fire
• The main reason for conducting a post-fire
examination
• “Point of origin” of a fire is the location where the
fire started.
• The term “area of origin” is sometimes used when
fire originates over a large tract or space, or when
the exact point of origin cannot be determined.
• “Multiple points of origin” are said to exist when
there is more than one place of beginning.
Physical Examination of the Fire
Scene
• To improve the likelihood of a successful resolution,
an investigator must approach the fire investigation
systemically.
• It is important to keep in mind the application of the
scientific method – a six-step approach to analyzing
the origin and cause of a fire.
Exterior Examination
• The exterior examination begins with interviewing of
the fire department officers, firefighters, and police
officers that were first at the scene as well as
spectators.
• Firemen are considered as the “ears and eyes of fire
investigators”.
Exterior Examination cont…
• The initial interviews should cover the following
types of information:
• Was the structure fully involved?
• Were the doors and windows open or closed?
• Were any unusual odor noticed?
• Were hydrants, standpipes, and sprinkler systems
operational?
Exterior Examination cont…

• The investigator should examine and evaluate

the fire damage on the exterior:

• Does it appear that the fire started outside

the building and extended into the
structure? Is a “V” pattern visible on the
exterior shell of the structure?
• “V” pattern – fingerprints of fire
 The appearance of the V SHAPED PATTERNS is created by
flames, convective or radiated heat from hot fire gases, and
smoke within the fire plume. The V pattern often appears as
lines of demarcation, defining the borders of the fire plume
and less heated areas outside the plume.

Typical V pattern showing wall

and wood stud damage.
Wood wall studs showing decreasing damage as distance from fire increases.
Interior Examination
• With the exterior examination
completed, the investigation
shifts to the inside of the
structure.
• Try to reconstruct mentally what
happened during the fire.
(Reconstruct the Crime Scene)
Interior Examination cont..
• Room and Point of Origin.
• A fire generally burns longest at or
near its point of origin because
enough oxygen is available there
during the early stage. Therefore, the
room with the greatest damage is
most apt to be the room of origin.
• Locating this room is very significant
because it contains the point or area
of the fire’s origin as well as clues to
its cause.
Documenting the fire scene
• The proper inspection and accurate
documentation of a fire scene is the most
important initial step in any investigation.
• Fire scenes have traditionally been one of the
most poorly documented classification of
crime scenes. The chief reason for this lack
of documentation has been the investigator’s
traditional reliance on sketchy notes and
personal recollections when preparing official
reports. (Photto Memory)
Other reasons for the lack of the
proper documentation include:

• Ignorance of proper crime-scene

techniques
• Lack of equipment (e.g. camera, film)
• Time constraints
• Shortage of qualified personnel, and
• Lack of motivation (e.g. laziness, poor
attitude, apathy)
The Crime Scene
• “Seat” of the Crime.
• It is the area of the crime scene
evincing the greatest impact
between the criminal and the
commission of the crime.
• In an arson investigation, this would
be the point of origin.
Protecting the Crime Scene.
• An investigator must realize that
mistakes made during certain
phases of the preliminary
investigation may be rectifiable
(say, by re-interviewing
witnesses), but errors made in the
processing of the crime scene can
never be corrected.
Documentation Sequence
• There is specific five-step
sequence to be followed in
documenting a crime scene:
• Visual inspection
• Note taking
• Photographs
• Sketches
* Visual Inspection
• The visual inspection of a fire uses the
investigator’s ability to read the observable
burn patterns and “push the fire back” to its
point of origin.
• The investigator should try to reconstruct
mentally what occurred and be constantly
looking for the unusual such as: unnatural
lateral (side) spread of fire; evidence of
delayed ignition device; evidence of plants,
trailers and accelerants.
* Note taking
• It is the preparation of a written
record of the investigator’s
observations and impressions at
the crime scene. It includes the ff:
• Time of arrival
• Address of the fire
• Identity of persons present
• Statements made
• Odors detected
• Anything unusual
* Photography
• Every piece of
evidence should
be photographed
in place (over-all
and close-up)
before it is
removed for
processing.
* Sketch
• Purpose of sketch
• Primary purpose is
orientation, to show
the relationship of
objects to each other
• To give an overall view
of the scene that can’t
be correctly depicted
by photographs.
• To eliminate items not
important to the
investigation.
Evidence Collection
• Physical evidence is any finite or tangible
materials, whether in trace or gross quantity,
that may assist in proving the elements of a
crime.
• The proper recognition, documentation,
collection, analysis and interpretation of
physical evidence can provide valuable
information to the investigation.
• P.E. are mute evidence but they speak for
themselves and they don’t tell lies compared
witnesses or complainants.
Physical Evidence – Chain
of Custody
• Chain of Custody. Location and
security of an item of evidence
from the time it is discovered at
the scene until it is introduced as
evidence in court
The following are the written
records necessary in maintaining
the chain of custody:
• Must show who found the item at the scene.
• Must show the name of all personnel who touch
or alter evidence and reason.
• Must show who obtained, marked and packaged
the item.
• Must show where item was marked, and how it
was packaged.
• Must show what was done with the item.
• Must show who used the item for analysis,
investigation, etc., date and time. AND
• The record must show the location of evidence
from (its discovery) to disposition in court of law.