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Unit 36 - Forensic Fire Investigation Assignment 3 (Merit)
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Assignment 3Unit 36 – Fire Investigation
A fire investigation, occasionally known as the origin and cause investigation, is essentially the analysis of fire-
related incidents. When a firefighter has extinguished a fire, an investigation is launched so that the origin and
cause of the fire/explosion can be determined. These types of investigations are done through using a
systematic approach and knowledge of basic fire science. For a fire to take place, there needs to be fuel, oxygen
and an ignition source, experience is vital during a fire investigation. When a fire has occurred, a fire
investigation is generally conducted. When a fire has been extinguished the officer, who is in charge of the
incident initiates a fire investigation to discover the cause of a it. Depending on the circumstances a specialist
fire safety officer will take over when more expertise and time is needed. Any obtained information is then
forwarded to the appropriate Government department who complies with the National Statistics. During
analysation of the obtained statistics areas can be identified where fire prevention measures could possibly be
introduced in an attempt to reduce loss from fire(s). On behalf of owners or occupiers fire consultants could
carry out an additional fire investigation – there are numerous reasons as to why this could be but its typically
because it will help in ensuring that a similar situation doesn’t repeat itself. Specialist fire safety officers will
investigate fires which have led to the death of an individual and this subsequent report will be submitted to
the coroner office for an inquest. Arson or malicious firing needs to be investigated to simply help the police in
finding the perpetrators. It’s vital that a properly conducted formal fire investigation is carried out so the cause
can be identified. A specialist officer will be involved, and they will have to work in partnership with the police,
this may involve the police forensic scientists. There are specific practicalities regarding a fire investigation
being conducted. A fire investigation can be divided its certain stages, and these are as follows;
1. INTERVIEWING EYE-WITNESSES.
2. LOCATING THE SEAT (ORIGIN) OF THE FIRE.
3. EXCAVATING THE SEAT.
4. EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE.
5. REVIEW OF FINDINGS.
6. REPORT.
The stages above are the typical sequence of a fire investigation but its important to note that sometimes the
fire investigation has to be conducted out of this sequence.
1. INTERVIEWING EYE-WITNESSES - The officer who is in charge of initial attendance ideally should be
the first to be interviewed due to the they would be able to provide rather useful information; this is
because they would’ve carried out their own investigation and therefore be able to provide
relevant individuals who could possibly have the ability in assisting the investigation. This is
because they would’ve interviewed the individual(s) who discovered the fire, maybe the
owners, bystanders, occupiers, and crews of other services – essentially any possible
eyewitnesses who were present. There’s a range of information which can be gathered
through interviewing eyewitnesses, such as; how the fire was behaving during its early stages,
the fires growth rate, the section of the building which was involved first. The colour of the
smoke along with the flames will give indicators regarding the materials which were involved
in the fire. Also, firefighters would be able to establish if the premises had been subjected to
illegal entry e.g. if doors were wedged open and if the fire spread faster than would be
expected. (In reality eyewitnesses can be interviewed throughout the entirety of the process.)
To maintain good co-operation and ensuring that all skills from each authority is used to the best
advantage it’s important for liaison between other agencies, such as; the police, insurance lost
adjusters, and forensic science research. However, some of the primary agencies involved at this stage
are the FOA, police, the ambulance service , and the fire service.
2. LOCATING THE SEAT (ORIGIN) OF THE FIRE – Establishing the area where the fire started is vital in
determining how the fire started. The area of where the fire starts is known as the seat of
the fire, it is typically but not always the area where the severest burning has taken place.
For example; a small fire in a basement which has a low fire loading could possibly spread
up a vertical shaft to a roof space with a high fire loading, therefore, causing the roof space
to have the severest burning. For the seat of the fire to be located it’s necessary for an
understanding to be had regarding fire behaviour in an uncontrolled situation, smoke,
flame and burning patterns, and how materials tend to behave in a fire. At all times the
possibility of arson must be kept in mind and multiple seats of fire will indicate possible deliberate
ignition. Some of the primary agencies involved at this stage are the Fire-Fighters, Dog Units, Fire
Safety officer, Health & Safety Executive(s), etc.
1
,Assignment 3
Unit 36 – Fire Investigation
3. EXCAVATING THE SEAT OF THE FIRE – When the seat of the fire has been located, next the source or
igntion along with any anomalies which could be present need to be found – this is able to be
achieved through excavation. Excavation can be likened to how archaeologists work,
numerous tools which archaeologists use are used by fire investigators e.g. small trowels,
dustpan, small paintbrushes, etc. When looking for possible ignition sources at the seat of
the fire, more than one possible cause could be found, such as; electircal wiring, gas pipes,
electrical or gas appliances, sockets, smoking, etc. The layers should be studied too as this
can provide indicators as to whether or not the fire developed naturally. During this, the
possibility of arson should be kept in mind particuarly if there is floor coverings or material showing
liquid burn patterns indicatung possible deliberate ignition. Some of the primary agencies involved at
this stage are; SOCO’s forensics and the explosive unit, etc.
4. EVALUATION OF EVIDENCE – During any stage of the fire investifation, if evidence indicates malicious
ignition, then the police should ideally be involved as they are seen as the primary responsible
authority. The police and the forensic scienctists/ research are seen as the primary experts in
collecting exhibits. The evaluation of evidence in an accidental fire investigation is similar to
a malicious fire investgiation, however, the collection method of exhibts aren’t as strict. The
purpose of an accidental fire investigation quite simply is statistics – these can be used for
numerous purposes, such as; the reduction of fire losses. The situation of the fire scene
must be automatically evaluated, however, it would need to be re-evaluated at a later stage
therefore, to assist this notes and photograhps need to be taken during the course of the
investigation. There could also be more than one possible ignition source, therefore, each
one should be examined in turn before eliminating those which couldn’t have started the fire. It is
possible to have more than one possible source of igntion so, during accidental fire investigations
percentages can get given based on the likelihood of each cause. For a theory to be proved
experimentation is able to be used, however, results should be documented fully for future
references. Some of the primary agenecies involved at this stage are; forensic scientists (&
lab), coroner, gas & electric advisor(s), insruance lost adjusters, etc.
5. REVIEW OF FINDINGS – At this stage all evidence and conclusions which have been formed
need to be reviewed. Findings are typically discussed between colleagues who might identify
some aspect which another may have missed. Once findings have been fully convinced of
then the next stage can take place. Some of the primary agencies involved at this stage are;
police, forensics, coroner, insurance lost adjusters, government statistic department, etc.
6. REPORT – For a fire report to be completed the majority of fire investigators use form FDR1 (Fire
Damage Report 1), these are also used in the creation of national fire statistics. Fires involving the
intervention of a specialist officer will mean that the specialist officer will also have to write a
report which will be attached to the FDR1. This report should ideally be clear, concise along with
no ambiguities, this is because the reader should fully understand the conclusions made, this
report may have to be referred to in the future if the findings need to be defended at an inquiry.
Some of the primary agencies involved at this stage are; the fire safety officer, etc.
As mentioned above, a fire investigation involves professionals from a range of disciples, some of the agencies
involved are bullet-pointed as follows;
First Officer Attending (FOA.)
Fire service & rescue (Fire Safety Officer, Fire Consultant, Fire Specialist Officer.)
Police.
Ambulance service.
Scene of Crime Officer(s) (Soco’s.)
Forensic scientists (& lab research (analysts.))
Dog Units.
Explosive Units.
Gas & Electric Advisor(s).
Health & Safety Executive(s).
Coroner.
Forensic research (laboratories.)
Insurance Lost Adjusters.
Government Statistic Department.
2
, Assignment 3
Unit 36 – Fire Investigation
These agencies all play a role in regard to a fire investigation and therefore; will be explained in more detail as
below.
First Officer Attending (FOA) –
The officer who is the first to arrive at a fire scene, hence the name must appreciate the importance regarding
preventing and controlling any changes to the scene. If they are the first to arrive, they will have a number of
duties to conduct whilst waiting for the arrival of other necessary personnel. There are two major factors which
are likely to cause change to the scene and these are people and the weather. The first factor (people) are the
most amenable for the officer to control. To begin with, the officer must ensure that they don’t introduce
change into the crime scene. The vehicle which they arrive in should be parked away from the crime scene
(obviously not too far away), in an attempt to possibly prevent impacting evidence left by a possible suspect
and to prevent any suspect possibly still at the scene from observing the officer. The primary scene at a scene is
officer and public safety, even if it means compromising some evidence. The FOA places an important role in
ensuring that the fire service along with other emergency services are able to give all their attention to the
matter at hand without having to be worried about what is occurring around them. They will put up a
preliminary cordon which prevents people from interrupting the services being carried out, this can be done
through using crime-scene tape. No unauthorised personnel should enter the scene and extreme care must be
taken to avoid the disturbance of possible evidence. The FOA needs to carry
out an initial assessment regarding the situation, dealing with any
emergencies as necessary. Any people present at the scene, such as;
witnesses and suspects should be detained, if it’s necessary to conduct
interviews or for arrests to be made. The FOA might informally interview
relevant individuals in an attempt to determine whether a crime e.g. arson
has actually occurred and if any emergency aid is required e.g. explosive
unit, ambulance service, etc. FOA should document in writing every action
along with movement that they take, bearing in mind that its likely to be
the subject of any examination and cross-examination if a trial is to take
place. If first aid is provided, the FOA needs to take note of anything which
is altered during life-saving efforts, such as; any movement of objects or
victims.
The advantages of an FOA is that they are able to arrive at the scene very quickly, therefore, the scene can be
cordoned off very quickly so no evidence can be interfered with this is important as it will mean there is less
chance of evidence being touched or disturbed, through cordoning off the scene they can ensure that only the
correct personnel is able to enter the scene this means that the general public won’t be able to get into the
scene and interfere with the investigation. A further advantage is through the FOA documenting everything
they’re aware along with other personnel what has being carried out, why it has been carried out and when it
has been carried out, however, due to so much taking place it’s possible that they could forget to document
something which could be vital, if this isn’t documented it could have major setbacks during an investigation. A
major disadvantage is through the FOA attempting to secure the scene in the most sufficient but quickest way
possible they may miss a vital area containing evidence and if this isn’t cordoned then it’s likely that the
evidence won’t necessarily be found, therefore, an FOA needs to ensure that the cordon is set at an accurate
perimeter. The FOA attending will communicate with the first personnel to arrive at the scene, such as; the
police, the fire service, or ambulance service, explosive unit, here they will share any information which they
have gained during their attendance in an attempt to aid in the investigation, the will effectively liaise with only
the correct personnel to ensure that each personnel are aware of any necessary information. The FOA would
have to communicate with the ambulance service particularly if any life-saving actions have been made to
casualties, the ambulance need to be aware of actions like this as it will give them an in-sight to what condition
the casualties are in prior to encountering them, the ambulance service would communicate with the FOA
particularly if they were to arrive at the scene first to inform them of the on-goings, etc. The FOA would have to
share and gather information with the fire-service, information such as; where in the building the fire is, if
anyone is believed to be trapped in the building, etc. The FOA will share and gather information with the
police, such as; regarding any possible witnesses or suspects which have been detained, and any sufficient
information which would be of importance to the police. The FOA may share information with the explosive
unit (If they’re called), they may inform them if a suspected bomb is present in the scene which hasn’t
exploded but possible could, etc.
Fire Service & Rescue –
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