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Course Learning Outcomes for Unit III Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

2. Evaluate a fire scene in accordance with fire industry best practices and legal requirements. 2.1 Determine how to search a fire scene for key fire behavior indicators.

3. Analyze a fire scenario utilizing the scientific method and other appropriate methodologies.

3.1 Explain the methodology for examining a structure fire scene. 3.2 Explain various methods used to document a fire scene.

Course/Unit Learning Outcomes

Learning Activity

2.1 Unit Lesson Chapter 6, pp. 359–364, 373–380, 399–434 Unit III Project

3.1 Unit Lesson Chapter 6, pp. 359–364, 373–380, 399–434 Unit III Project

3.2 Unit Lesson Chapter 6, pp. 359–364, 373–380, 399–434 Unit III Project

Reading Assignment Chapter 6: Fire Scene Documentation, pp. 359–364, 373–380, 399–434

Unit Lesson The first two units have given you the foundation to continue building your knowledge, skills, and abilities as a fire investigator. In Unit III, you should start to see some of this coming together as we build a tool that you will be able to use in your own investigations, regardless of where you work now or where you may go in the future. If you are in the fire service or another safety-related field, you may have heard the old saying that if something is not documented, it did not happen. There are few places where this is truer than in a courtroom when you are working with the prosecution team to get an arson conviction. Investigations are not just conducted for the purpose of convicting arsonists; equally important is our role in accurately determining the cause of fires so that we can develop programs to prevent and/or mitigate these fires at the local, regional, and national levels. It is impossible to achieve these laudable outcomes if we are relying on inaccurate fire cause information. To demonstrate this, you can probably think of many effective ways to reduce home fires caused by cooking, but it would be very challenging for you to develop a prevention program aimed at reducing undetermined fires, which is the leading cause of fire in many communities today. Whatever the end goal ends up being, a consistent process that follows nationally accepted guidelines and is well documented provides the investigator with the highest chance of success in determining a fire’s cause and origin. Documenting the fire scene, whether it is a structure, vehicle, or wildland fire, begins as the fire investigator records initial information, such as the location, date, time, weather, fire companies that responded, and other relevant data related to the fire scene. As we have covered in the previous units, always use the scientific method as the basis for all investigations, and develop a consistent process for the information you collect as well as how you approach the fire. Follow this same approach at all fires to reduce the chances that

UNIT III STUDY GUIDE

Documenting the Fire Scene

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something will be forgotten or overlooked. The Unit III Project consists of you developing a check list to follow for all of your fire investigations that will help you to become a better investigator. As the fire investigator observes the fire scene, data is collected to help identify the origin of the fire. This data is obtained through observation and detailed documentation (e.g. photos, videos, evidence samples, and drawings) of the area or building involved in the fire, key evidence, fire patterns, and fire dynamics. Included is an analysis of items such as heat and flame vector, arc mapping, calcination surveys, and depth of char. Finally, statements from witnesses and emergency personnel can contribute to a complete and solid documentation of a fire scene. Documenting the Fire Scene The purpose of scene documentation is to assist investigators in accurately recording any investigation scene through several media options that will allow investigators to recall and communicate their observations later. Remember, the purpose of the fire investigation is to address the factors listed below.

• Determine the origin and cause of the fire.

• Determine the classification of the fire (accidental, incendiary, natural, or undetermined).

• If the fire was incendiary, was there malice or intent to harm or defraud?

• If the fire was accidental, what (if any) equipment was involved?

• If a death occurred, what contributing factors are there?

• Did smoke detectors or other protection equipment function properly? Methods of documentation include notes, sketches and diagrams, photographs, videos, maps, and reports. These data points are highly important because the investigator will use this data to assist with the hypothesis and conclusions (National Fire Protection Association [NFPA], 2017). Click the link below to access a short video on the documentation tasks that should be done at every fire scene. IAAIFireInvestigator. (2011, November 3). The process of documentation: Evidence [Video]. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufS55-PAzuM Click here to access the transcript of the video. Chapter 6 of the textbook discusses documenting the fire scene. The authors outline four parts to documenting the scene, which are listed below:

• exterior,

• interior,

• investigative, and

• panoramic/specialized (i.e., photographs and sketches) (Icove & Haynes, 2018). Table 6.3 from your textbook gives a detailed description of each step. Notes should be taken as a part of documenting the fire scene. Some investigators prefer to use a notepad while others prefer to use a digital recorder and have it transcribed later. Both methods are beneficial; taking notes assists the investigator with keeping information in a logical order and prevents overlooking data that the investigator may not recall at a later time. Diagrams and sketches of a fire scene are recommended. Sketches are drawings made at the scene using either freehand drawing methods or minimal tools (rough drawings). Using graph paper will make approximate measurements easier and help with orientation of objects. Diagrams are formal drawings that are completed after an investigation. Diagrams can be utilized to illustrate such things as fire patterns,

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structure openings, and evidence location. It is especially important to take and record measurements of the location of critical evidence (e.g., the location and position of a fire fatality). Sources of Ignition Chapter 6 of your textbook discussed sources of ignition. This is something we began to explore in Unit II. Identifying the source of ignition is a critical component in the documentation of the fire scene and the overall fire report. Common ignition sources in structural fires should be examined; some of these are listed below:

• appliances (gas or electric),

• windblown sparks or embers (more common in wildland fires),

• chimneys or fireplaces,

• long-term heating (such as wood around a chimney or flue),

• trash and rubbish fires,

• mechanical sparks,

• firearms (common to wildland fires),

• smoking materials,

• spontaneous combustion (not as common), and

• natural sources of ignition (lightning). Wildland Fires

Wildland fires are fires involving grass, brush, or wooded areas and often spread rapidly, endangering or destroying homes, lives, and other forms of property. The serious danger that these fires entail is exemplified by the Camp Fire in Northern California that began on November 8, 2018, and killed at least 87 people, destroyed more than 18,600 structures, and ravaged over 153,000 acres of land, making it the most deadly fire in California history (Sergent et al., 2018). The smoke from the Camp Fire was visible from satellites (Winsor, 2018). Such fires are ignited similarly to structure fires. The more common sources of wildland fire ignition are lightning, equipment use, vehicles, and burning debris; however, many wildfires are ruled accidental or have undetermined causes. Another example of the devastation a wildfire can create is seen in the 2016 fire in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. This fire killed 14, injured over 150 people, destroyed 1,750 structures and thousands of wooded acres, caused countless wildlife loss or displacements, and caused an estimated $500 million in damages (Freedom du Lac et al., 2016). These fires were the result of arson (an intentional human act) by two teenagers. The proper investigation of wildland fires is as important as the investigation of structure fires. The methodology that follows the scientific method is the same for the examination of wildland fires as it is for structure fires. When reconstructing or retracing back to a point of origin of wildland fires, the investigator must consider factors such as topography, terrain, weather, and available fuels. The investigator should consider using an aerial photography platform such as an aircraft or drone. There are many signs or fire patterns that can be interpreted to determine the direction of fire travel. The fire investigator must observe such things as char patterns on trees, brush, and fence posts. Additionally, examining the area for crown burning, which starts at a lower level near the area of origin and ends up at a higher level farther away from the fire origin, is important. Staining noncombustible objects, such as rocks or boulders, soot will collect on the side that the fire came from, which can lead the investigator to the area of origin. Examples can be seen in Figures 3.1 and 3.2 below.

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The systematic approach to documentation of a wildland fire remains the same as in a structure examination. Wildland fires can be challenging to document through photographs or video because of the vast areas that the fire may cover, and as it was mentioned earlier, it may be necessary to utilize aircraft or drones to cover these types of fires. Wildfire documentation should include a written report, photographs, maps, diagrams, witness statements, weather data, and lab analysis reports. Compass headings and GPS data will assist in pinpointing accurate locations. Just as with structure fires, any evidence located must be collected and properly processed to protect its evidentiary value. Burned objects may be very fragile, so special care must be taken to preserve them as much as possible. Other evidence may be observed during the examination of wildland fires, such as shoe or

Figure 3.1: Beveling or cupping on vertical stems or stumps will point back in the direction of the fire’s origin. (Icove & Haynes, 2018, p. 130)

Figure 3.2: The flow of a fast-moving fire around a large obstacle often leaves protected vegetation on the downwind, or lee, side of the obstacle. (Icove & Haynes, 2018, p. 511)

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tire impressions left by possible suspects. Some evidence may need to be collected by specific experts to be properly processed. Evidence Collection and Preservation Determining the cause and origin of a fire cannot be accomplished without a thorough investigation of the evidence, and the evidence must be collected according to established best practices to ensure it can be further analyzed or even presented in court at a future time. Table 7.1 on pages 455 and 456 of the textbook gives an excellent and detailed description of how to collect and preserve 14 distinct types of evidence. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in his Sherlock Holmes tales gives us a couple of great quotes that relate quite well to the subject of fire investigation. First, he covers the importance of taking an unbiased and comprehensive approach to the investigation where the evidence determines the outcome (cause and origin).

I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we shall no doubt find waiting for us. (Doyle, 1975, p. 8)

Stick with the reading, apply yourself on the assignments, and you will find that this is a good description of you someday.

References Icove, D. J., Haynes, G. A. (2018). Kirk's fire investigation (8th ed.). Pearson. Doyle, A. C. (1975). The adventures of Sherlock Holmes. A & W Visual Library. Freedom du Lac, J., Larimer, S., & Bever, L. (2016, December 8). 2 juveniles charged with arson in

Tennessee fires. The Washington Post. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direc t=true&db=bwh&AN=wapo.fc7a0ee6-bcbc-11e6-ac85-094a21c44abc&site=ehost-live&scope=site

National Fire Protection Association. (2017). NFPA 921: Guide for fire and explosion investigations. Sergent, J., Petras, G., Gelles, K., & Bacon, J. (2018, November 21). 3 startling facts about California’s Camp

Fire. USA Today. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/11/20/camp-fire-3-startling- facts/2064758002/

Winsor, M. (2018, November 23). California wildfires death toll climbs to 87, almost 500 still unaccounted for.

ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/US/relentless-california-wildfires-leave-87-dead-600- unaccounted/story?id=59262994