Five main categories of observations the first responder should make during an incident
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Date Published May 31, 2009 This handbook is intended as a guide to recommended practices for the collection and preservation of evidence at fire/arson scenes. [1] Follow Agency Policies! Jurisdictional, logistical or legal conditions may preclude the use of particular procedures contained herein. Fires are destructive, spreading as they grow and consuming the evidence of their initiation. Putting out fires and finding out how they started involves public officials and private groups — such as fire departments, emergency medical services and law enforcement. Law enforcement and fire service departments must always determine the cause of the fire, whether arson or accidental, in order to identify hazards and dangerous practices and prevent future fires. Many fires can be prevented through public education — for instance, educating people on safe practices for using room heaters or other gas and electric devices. Not every portion of this document may be applicable to all fires. It is at the discretion of responding personnel (depending on their responsibilities, as well as the purpose and scope of their duties) to apply the procedures recommended in this Guide to a particular incident. Some of the procedures described in this Guide may not be performed in the sequence described or may be performed simultaneously. Call in Help! Steps in this guide include:
Arriving at the Fire and/or Arson SceneFirst responders to a fire scene must assess and secure the scene and ensure that victims receive medical attention.
Observe the fire and scene conditions. First responders at a fire scene must observe conditions and activities and provide investigators with an accurate and complete description. While approaching a fire scene, first responders should observe and mentally note the following conditions and activities and initiate permanent documentation of the information (e.g., written notes, voice recordings and videotapes):
Exercise scene safety. Safety overrides all other concerns. First responders must make sure that victims, bystanders, and public safety personnel are safe. This involves mitigating safety hazards that may further threaten victims, bystanders, and public safety personnel. They must exercise due caution to avoid injuries to themselves and others. First responders should:
DANGER:Beware of incendiary or explosive devices! The scene may contain devices specifically designed to kill or maim public safety responders. Do not touch any suspected incendiary or explosive device. Evacuate the area, and request the services of personnel trained in the removal of such items. Preserve the fire scene. First responders must understand how rescue, medical, fire suppression, overhaul, and salvage efforts can adversely affect evidence and take steps to preserve it. They should secure the fire scene and identify potential evidence, take preliminary steps to preserve it, and notify appropriate authorities about its existence. First responders should:
Establish security and control. First responders should immediately establish control of the scene and initiate documentation of the scene. To establish security and control, first responders should:
Coordinate interagency activities. First responders must coordinate emergency operations between many different agencies and organizations. To coordinate activities at the scene, first responders should:
Evaluating the SceneOnce a lead investigator arrives at the scene to relieve the first responders, he or she should evaluate the scene, identify witnesses and survey what must be done. The lead investigator must: Note: This section of the guide is intended for the individual responsible for the investigation of a fire incident. At the time the scene is determined to involve an arson or other crime, the investigator must address legal requirements for scene access, search and evidence seizure.
Contact first responders and establish presence. The investigator should meet with the incident commander and first responders to assess previous events and the current status of the fire scene, make introductions, identify essential personnel, and determine scene safety and integrity issues. The investigator should:
Define the scene's boundaries. The investigator should perform a preliminary scene assessment, determine the area in which the site examination will be conducted and establish the scene perimeter. The investigator should:
Identify and interview witness(es) at the scene. The investigator should determine the identities of witnesses and conduct interviews. The investigator should:
Assess scene security at the time of the fire. The investigator should determine whether the building or vehicle was intact and secure and if intrusion alarms or fire detection and suppression systems were operational at the time of the fire. The investigator should:
Identify the resources required to process the scene. The investigator should determine what personnel may be required to process the scene according to National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921 and other recognized national guidelines. Note:Except in the most obvious cases, the determination of a fire's origin and cause may be a complex and difficult undertaking that requires specialized training and experience as well as knowledge of generally accepted scientific methods of fire investigation.[2] The investigator must either have appropriate expertise or call upon the assistance of someone with that knowledge. The investigator should:
Note: If the scene involves arson or other crimes, the investigator must address legal requirements for scene access, search and evidence seizure.
Documenting the SceneAfter the lead investigator has evaluated the scene, he or she must document the scene. He or she should follow these steps: Note: This section of the guide is intended for the individual responsible for the investigation of a fire incident. At the time the scene is determined to involve an arson or other crime, the investigator must address legal requirements for scene access, search and evidence seizure.
Photograph or videotape the scene. The investigator should create and preserve an accurate visual record of the scene and the evidence prior to disturbing the scene. The investigator should:
Describe and document the scene. The investigator should create a permanent, documented record of observations to refresh recollections, support the investigator's opinions and conclusions, and support photographic documentation. The investigator should:
Processing Evidence at the SceneAfter documenting the scene, the investigator or other evidence collectors must collect, preserve and store evidence from the scene. He or she should follow these steps: Note: This section of the guide is intended for the individual responsible for the investigation of a fire incident. At the time the scene is determined to involve an arson or other crime, the investigator must address legal requirements for scene access, search and evidence seizure.
Identify, collect and preserve evidence. The investigator should ensure that evidence collectors identify, document, collect and preserve evidence for laboratory analyses, further investigations and court proceedings. Evidence collectors should:
Prevent evidence contamination. The investigator should control access to the fire scene after fire suppression and see that evidence is collected, stored and transported so that it will not be contaminated. Evidence collectors should:
Note: In cases of accidental fire, evidence should not be needlessly disturbed, but the property owner or insurer should be notified to avoid issues of spoliation. Package and transport evidence. The investigator should ensure that packaging, transportation and storage procedures are followed to prevent any destructive changes in the condition of samples. The personnel responsible for packaging and transport should:
Establish and maintain the chain of custody. The investigator should ensure that the chain of custody is maintained. Personnel responsible for the chain of custody should:
Completing the InvestigationOnce evidence has been collected and processed, the investigator must complete the investigation and release the scene. He or she should follow these steps: Note: This section of the guide is intended for the individual responsible for the investigation of a fire incident. At the time the scene is determined to involve an arson or other crime, the investigator must address legal requirements for scene access, search and evidence seizure.
Release the scene. The investigator should release the scene after reasonable efforts have been made to identify, collect and remove all evidence from the scene for examination and that all physical characteristics of the scene have been documented. In addition, prior to releasing the scene, associated legal, health and safety issues must be articulated to the party taking over the investigation and reported to public safety agencies if necessary. The investigator should ensure that the following tasks are completed before releasing the scene:
Submit reports to the appropriate databases. The responsible agencies must file incident reports with the appropriate databases. Detailed fire information is collected, integrated and disseminated through national and State databases. These data help authorities identify fire trends and develop innovative procedures and equipment. The investigator should collect sufficient information and report it to the following databases:
Notes[note 1] NIJ's Crime Scene guides were created by multidisciplinary technical working groups of content area experts from across the United States. [note 2] As stated in NFPA 921, the scientific method consists of defining the problem, collecting data, analyzing the data, developing hypothesis (e.g., what could have caused the fire), testing the hypothesis and considering alternative hypothesis. [note 3] Damage or loss of evidence that would compromise a legal case. [note 4] Recovering damages by a finding of fault; finding that the cause of the fire was failure of some product or system. What are the five components using a systematic approach with which fires are investigated?Basic Methodology, Chapter 4 of NFPA 921, lists the steps of the scientific method as follows: Recognize the need, define the problem, collect the data, analyze the data, develop a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, and select a final hypothesis.
What are the 4 classifications of fire causes?"Fire Cause" chapter included section 12-2 "Classification of Fire Cause." That section stated, "The cause of a fire may be classified as accidental, natural, incendiary (arson), or undetermined." "13 Subsections defined these four classifications, providing brief examples of each.
What is the first step in an arson 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 step in the investigative process would scene documentation fall into?Step Three: Documenting the Scene
The NIJ guide states that “After the lead investigator has evaluated the scene, he or she must document the scene.” his entails taking physical notes, taking pictures of the scene, as well as taking videos.
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