Investigators will look for patterns, or
something called “plumes
.” They can be cone-shaped marks from the flames which show direction and speed of burn.
What is the first step in a fire investigation?
The first step in a fire investigation is
the preliminary scene examination/size-up
. For best results, a trained fire investigator should be notified about and respond to serious fires or possible arson fires immediately after fire apparatus is dispatched.
What are the basics of investigation of fire?
Examining the fire scene is mostly about
studying the effect of heat on various materials
. Knowing the physical constants such as melt points and ignition temperatures of materials is a basic tenet of fire investigation and understanding the ventilation of a fire is very important.
What are steps in tracing the origin of the fire in the fire scene and searching for evidence?
Identify a distinct origin (location where the fire started) and an obvious fire cause (ignition source, first fuel ignited, and circumstances of the event that brought the two together)
. Conduct a scene examination in accordance with NFPA 921 and other guidelines. Seek someone with the expertise required.
How does a fire investigator search for a pattern in a fire scene?
Photographs are one of the most important tools to identify fire patterns and the origin of the fire in fire forensics. A series of photographs should be taken to portray patterns such as surfaces of materials that
have changed in appearance
due to exposure to flames, heat, and other products of combustion.
How do you find the origin of fire?
In order to find the starting point, investigators will start at the outskirts of this V- or U-shape and work inward. Clues to figuring out where that origin is beginning with determining the most blackened parts of a tree.
The side of a tree with the most damage is probably facing the starting point of the blaze
.
What is the origin of fire?
The oldest fire recorded on Earth has been identified from
charcoal in rocks formed during the late Silurian Period
, around 420 million years ago. … One of these high-fire intervals occurred during the later stages of the Cretaceous, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth and flowering plants first appeared.
Why do fire investigators begin their search at the lowest level of a building?
As the area cools, gases drop to lower levels
. The atmosphere must cool before investigators spend extended periods processing the fire scene. If it is not possible to allow for cooling and to provide adequate ventilation, then respiratory protection should be used.
Which duty would a fire investigator perform at a fire scene investigation?
Fire investigators are responsible for
the collection, preservation, and impounding of all arson evidence found at the scene
.
What is a fire scene?
Fire scene means
the immediate area necessary for a local fire department
or the State Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate an actual fire.
How do fire investigators determine arson?
Fire and arson investigators examine
the physical attributes of a fire scene and identify and collect physical evidence from the scene
. … During the scene examination, investigators may find evidence such as accelerants, tampered utilities, and specific burn patterns, which may indicate criminal activity.
What is the purpose of fire investigation?
The role of fire investigation is
to identify the event that brought together the combustible, the oxidizer, and the source of ignition that started the fire
. Causes of fire can be natural, accidental, deliberate, or undetermined.
Who commonly performs the preliminary fire investigation?
The fire chief has a legal responsibility to determine cause.
The incident commander
may conduct a preliminary investigation and decide if an investigator is needed.
What is the importance of tracing the origin of fire?
Once the point of origin is determined, it may confirm or contradict the statements of owners / occupants / witnesses / suspects. One of the most important aspects of any fire investigation is
the proper recognition, identification, and analysis of fire patterns
.
Where did fire first start?
Recent findings support that the earliest known controlled use of fire took place in
Wonderwerk Cave, South Africa
, 1.0 Mya.
Was fire invented or discovered?
It’s a natural reaction that
fire didn’t need to be invented
. The earliest creatures that predated human beings were probably well aware of fire. When lightning would strike a forest and create a fire, it probably intrigued and amazed them.
Who invented the word fire?
The first records of the word fire come from before 900. As a noun, it comes from
the Old English fȳr
. Fire is related to the Old Norse fūrr and German Feuer, which come from the Greek pŷr (the origin of the word part pyro-, as in pyrotechnics, and the word pyre, as in funeral pyre).
What factor should the fire investigator consider when conducting an origin and cause investigation in a vacant property?
A.
An attempt to discover — through investigating the facts, the scene and any evidence — what happened at a given location to result in a fire
. “The process of determining the origin, cause, and development of a fire or explosion” (National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921, 2017, Section 3.3. 73).
What is the name of the god of fire?
Hephaestus, Greek Hephaistos, in Greek mythology, the god of fire. Originally a deity of Asia Minor and the adjoining islands (in particular Lemnos), Hephaestus had an important place of worship at the Lycian Olympus.
When fire investigators look for evidence of an accelerant they may use?
T/F When fire investigators look for evidence of an accelerant, they may use
dogs, samples of ash and debris and chemical sniffers
.
Why is fire investigation one of the hardest?
Fire investigation is one of the most difficult of the forensic sciences to practice. … During a fire investigation, an entire process must be undertaken just to determine if the case involves arson or not. The difficulty of determining whether an arson fire has occurred or not, arises because
fires destroy evidence
.
Do fire investigators fight fires?
A fire investigator is a public service employee working for a specific jurisdiction. He could work for a city, township, or county. When a fire is reported, he or she is called to the fire, but she
does not actually participate in fire fighting or rescue
. Instead, her job begins once the fire is put out.
What is the difference between a fire investigator and an arson investigator?
An arson investigator will try to determine who is responsible for setting a fire; a fire investigator
will attempt to determine the cause and origin of a fire
.
When should firefighters recognize and collect information on a fire?
as soon as possible
. It should be reported to the investigator for validation. the origin and cause of the fire have been determined. An authorized individual should escort the subject.
What are the five components using a systematic approach with which fires are investigated?
as
fire patterns, direct observations, measurements, documentation such as photography, evidence collection, testing, experimentation and witness interviews
.
What tools do fire investigators use?
- Broom.
- Bucket.
- Chisels. Cold chisels. …
- Communications equipment. …
- Crowbar/prybar.
- Cutter(s), cutting tools. …
- Drill with wood and metal bits.
- Electrician’s tools.
What factors must fire investigators identify before classifying fire cause?
The Four Elements of Fire Cause
To determine the fire cause2, the investigator must identify
the first fuel ignited, the ignition source, the oxidizing agent
, and those circumstances, and factors, which together resulted in the fire. The following are basic points based on NFPA 921, Chapter 18.
Where does overhaul typically begin?
Overhaul typically starts
when the smoke clears
, and in past years firefighters often did not wear respiratory protection during overhaul.
What are the signs of an arsonist?
- A large amount of damage.
- No “V” burn pattern present, unsual burn patterns and high heat stress.
- Lack of accidental causes.
- Evidence of forced entry.
- Absence of valuable items.
- The same person shows up at unconnected fires.
- Low burning point with unidentifiable point of origin.
- Multiple points of origin.
What is fire criminology?
FIRE.
a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of heat and light of varying intensity
.
What is one important thing a first responder does before the arrival of an arson investigator?
What is one important thing a first responder does before the arrival of an arson investigator?
Protect evidence. Put out the fire as quickly as possible.
What are three specific tasks that an arson investigator will perform at a crime scene?
Arson and fire investigators have a number of duties. On the scene, they will
collect evidence, identify any potential accelerants, and work towards determining the cause(s) of a fire
. They may also interview witnesses, assist in the identification of offenders in cases of arson, and arrest suspects.
What is the first step in a fire investigation?
The first step in a fire investigation is
the preliminary scene examination/size-up
. For best results, a trained fire investigator should be notified about and respond to serious fires or possible arson fires immediately after fire apparatus is dispatched.
What is a fire investigation report?
The NFIRS report is
a voluntary system of reporting fires that California participates in
. The information obtained by the NFIRS is used by, among others, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission and by the National Smoke Detector Project.
When did fire investigation start?
In
1992
, the first publication of the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 921 (“Guide for Fire and Explosive Investigations”) introduced the use of the scientific method to fire investigations.
How do you investigate a fire scene?
- Contact first responders and establish presence.
- Define the scene’s boundaries.
- Identify and interview witnesses at the scene.
- Assess scene security at the time of the fire.
- Identify the resources required to process the scene.
