Investigator present during fire and its suppression - ANSWER - Investigator can benefit from observing the suppression activities of the firefighters.
- Investigator can also photo or video fire sequence and begin the search for witnesses
- Important for the investigator to be on scene: Hot scen...
Fire Investigation Final Completely Solved!!
Investigator present during fire and its suppression - ANSWER - Investigator can benefit
from observing the suppression activities of the firefighters.
- Investigator can also photo or video fire sequence and begin the search for witnesses
- Important for the investigator to be on scene: Hot scene may not allow for complete interior investigation.
+ Large fire scenes with collapse may take days to process the scene
Crime Pattern Analysis - ANSWER - a methodology for detecting recurring patterns, trends, and periodic events in the times, dates, and locations of incidents.
- Once detected, much can be learned to help predict the next event and classify the behavioral patterns exhibited by the offender.
+ Lead to potential surveillance schedules and locations
+ Mobility of arsonists sometimes create "moving" cluster centers of activity.
Fire - ANSWER A rapid oxidation process, which is a chemical reaction resulting in the evolution of light and heat in varying intensities; uncontrolled combustion
Fire Investigation - ANSWER - The formal process of determining the origin, cause, and
development of a fire or explosion.
- launched after a fire or explosion is extinguished
- productive investigation will be done right at the fire scene
- Every fire should be investigated to detect the crime of arson, or to seek out dangerous products or practices to preserve the safety of the community
Fire Investigator's goal - ANSWER determine what circumstances caused or contributed
to the incident
One of the most difficult forensic sciences to practice - ANSWER ◦ Distortion of evidence
◦ Destruction of evidence
Fire Investigator - ANSWER - An individual who has demonstrated the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct, coordinate, and complete a fire investigation
- Must prove or disprove any allegations or suspicions that the fire was incendiary or arson
- Piece together pre- and post-fire events
- Looks at accidental fires causes
Fire Investigator Part 2 - ANSWER ◦ Utilizes a systematic and scientific approach
◦ Collects physical evidence ◦ Collects testimonial evidence
◦ Attempts to identify the person responsible
◦ Prepares a comprehensive report◦ Peer Reviewed often
◦ Participates in civil or criminal litigation
◦ Obtains/maintains certification and continuing education
Cause - ANSWER The circumstances, conditions, or agencies that brought about or resulted in the fire or explosion incident, damage to property resulting from the fire or explosion incident, or bodily injury or loss of life resulting from the fire or explosion incident
Origin - ANSWER The general location where a fire or explosion began
Incendiary - ANSWER A fire that is intentionally ignited in an area or under circumstances where and when there should not be a fire
Accidental Fire - ANSWER Involves all fires for which the proven cause does not involve an intentional human act to ignite or spread fire into an area where the fire should not be
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2014 estimates: - ANSWER ◦ 1,298,000 fires were responded to by public fire departments
◦ Resulting in $11.6 billion in property damage
◦ This likely only accounts for ~10% of actual cost
◦ Lost business income
◦ Unemployment◦ Reduced property values
◦ Reduced tax base
◦ ~ 494,000 were structure fires
◦ 74% of structure fires were residential fires
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2014 estimates Part 2 - ANSWER ◦53,275 civilians died as a result of fires
◦15,775 civilians suffered injuries as a result of fires
◦Accidental fire-related burn injuries are the 6th leading cause of all accidental deaths according to the National Safety Council
The Crime Scene - ANSWER - Treat every scene as if a crime has occurred
+ Scene security: Fires attract crowds/Large crime scenes
+ Legal aspects: Who has jurisdiction/Search Warrants
+ Properly preserve, document, and collect evidence: Chain of custody/Control contamination
The Crime Scene: Destruction of Evidence - ANSWER + By fire: Loss of physical material
+ By fire suppression: Large quantities of water
+ By Firefighters: Equipment The Reality of Resource Allocation by Law Enforcement - ANSWER - Complicated by the destructive nature of fires
- Complicated by viewpoint that Arson is a Property Crime: Property crimes are allocated less resources than violent crimes
- Education of Law Enforcement Personnel
Undetermined classification - ANSWER If the level of certainty is only possible or suspected, the fire cause is unresolved and must be considered undetermined
The Scientific Method - ANSWER - Fire Investigator regularly refines and explores a working hypothesis until a final expert conclusion or opinion is reached
STEPS:
1. Recognize the need
2. Define the problem
3. Collect data
4. Analyze the data
5. Develop a working hypothesis
6. Test the working hypothesis
7. Select a final hypothesis
Scientific Method: Step 1. Recognize the Need - ANSWER - Respond: Fire Investigator should respond to the scene as soon as possible
-Protect the scene: Ensure scene security & Minimize contamination (as much as possible)
- Assess resources: Coordinate with local fire departments and/or law enforcement & Obtain equipment
- Investigate: into cause and origin & Prevent future similar losses (New designs, codes,
enforcement strategies)
The Scientific Method: Step 2. Define the Problem - ANSWER - Devise and implement a strategic plan for the investigation
- Determine the primary responsibility and authority
- Determine cause and nature of fire
The Scientific Method: Step 3. Collect Data - ANSWER - All data are subject to verification of how it was legally obtained, chain of custody, and confirmation of its reliability and authoritative nature
- Describe, observe and document the incident
- Photograph, sketch and collect evidence
- Conduct tests and experiments
- Interview Witnesses
- Assemble historical loss histories of similar incidents
Data - ANSWER Facts or information to be used as a basis for a discussion or decision Inductive reasoning - ANSWER formulating a conclusion based on a number of observations
The Scientific Method: Step 4. Analyze Data & Inductive Reasoning - ANSWER - Fire Investigator relies on his knowledge, training and experience to analyze data
- Evaluate data:
+ Fire pattern damage
+ Heat and flame vectoring
+ Arc mapping
+ Fire engineering analysis
- Test predictions with established scientific knowledge of fire dynamics
- Recommend changes in working hypothesis
Hypothesis - ANSWER A supposition or conjecture put forward to account for certain facts, and used as a basis for further investigation by which it may be proved or disproved
The Scientific Method: Step 5. Develop working Hypothesis - ANSWER - Based on the data analysis, develop a working hypothesis to explain the fire's origin, cause, and development
- This working hypothesis must be consistent with the Fire Investigator's on-scene observations, physical evidence, and testimony from witnesses
Deductive Reasoning - ANSWER The process by which conclusions are drawn by logical inference from given premises
The Scientific Method: Step 6. Test working Hypothesis - ANSWER - Compare hypothesis to all known facts
- If the alternatives counter the working hypothesis, there may be issues that need to be
addressed and re-evaluated
- Recommend collection and analysis of additional data
- Solicit peer review to identify alternate hypotheses
- Modify working hypothesis
- Eliminate all other fire causes
The Scientific Method: Step 7. Select Final Hypothesis - ANSWER - Expert Conclusion or Opinion
- Make authoritative conclusion of
- Area and point of fire origin & Cause
- Identify competent ignition sources
- Establish a level of confidence in the final hypothesis
- Prepare expert report
Opinion - ANSWER A belief or judgement based on facts and logic, but without absolute
proof of its truth
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