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48 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Why do we Investigate Fires?
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It is the Law that required by the International Fire Code To Determine Unsafe Products and/or Procedures that may be causing and creating a Danger to the Community To Determine Incendiary Fires and Investigate Until the Responsible Party(ies) have been brought to Prosecution |
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Behavior of Fire |
Fire is a rapid, self-sustaining oxidation process usually accompanied by the evolution of heat and light in varying intensities |
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Fire Triangle |
Oxygen Fuel Heat |
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Fire Tetrahedron |
Oxygen Fuel Heat Uninhibited Chemical Chain Reaction |
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Heat Transfer |
Conduction Convection Radiation |
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Conduction |
Transfer of heat by direct contact of one body to another |
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Convection |
Transfer of heat by some circulating medium (either gas or liquid) Convection is the form of heat transfer which is most responsible for the spread of heat in structural fires |
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Radiation |
Heat being transferred from one area to another without direct contact with the area and without any circulating hot gases to help “bathe” the area with heat. It is heat in the form of energy which travels through space or material as waves. |
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Flashover |
Contained fire where exposed surfaces simultaneously ignite from thermal radiation Stage of fire when room or other area becomes heated to the point when flames flash over the entire surface area. |
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Backdraft |
An explosion or rapid burning of heated gases resulting from the introduction of oxygen when air is admitted into a building heavily charged by smoke from a fire that had depleted the oxygen content of the building. |
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Fire Stages |
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Combustion By-Products |
Fire gasses Heat Flame Smoke |
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Determining the Point of Origin |
The place of the fire’s beginning Normally, the fire causes will be found at, or very near, the point of origin Fires often burn longer near the point of origin Evidence of incendiarism is often recovered near the point of origin Evidence of fire spread (or direction of fire travel) may be noted/confirmed after locating the point of origin The point of origin may confirm or contradict the stories of owners/occupants/suspects |
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Fire Cause Investigation |
Investigator must usually work backward in relation to the fire’s travel or spread, working toward the point of origin. For this reason, fire cause investigation is commonly referred to as a “Backward” investigation |
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Exterior of the Structure |
Note area of damage by heat and smoke Fire damage to building exterior |
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Interior of Structure |
Ceiling damage may help to locate point of origin. Floor damage may help to locate point of origin Lowest level of burning Lack of soot (carbon) in a heavily burned area may indicate the area of origin “V” Patterns Structural damage from fire as an indicator of fire’s travel Depth of charring as an indicator of fire’s travel and the point of origin 1” every 45 minutes in wood (structural members) as approx. 1400F |
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Interior of Structure 2 |
Flashover
Multiple Points of Origin Glass objects Light staining …limited fire or intense heat and/or rapid fire growth Heavy Staining…Slow fire build up or remote distance from point of origin (Exception Heavy petroleum base in fire load) Glass – Cracking or crazing Light Bulbs Melting Aluminum1200 F Copper 2000 F Window Glass 900 F. when exposed for 10 minutes Reconstruction Necessary to Properly Determine the Point of Origin Locating the proper position of items within the fire scene Identification and use of ‘protected areas’ Allows the investigator to more readily determine the lowest level of burning ‘V’ patterns, and evaluate the fuel load and burning sequence within an area |
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Three Elements of Fire |
Heat Source Fuel An “event” which brings together the heat source and the fuel |
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Heat Sources |
Chemical – exothermic, endothermic, pyrolosis, solution Electrical – resistance, induction, dialation, arching/sparking Mechanical – friction, compression Nuclear – explosion, radiation |
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Accidental Fires Include: (MACS) |
Mechanical Malfunctions Acts of God Carelessness Stupidity |
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Misrepresentation |
Owners and/or occupants will sometimes misrepresent accidental fires because: May think fire insurance will not pay off May be embarrassed Hope Fire Department will find another cause Afraid of being charged for fire department response Parents trying to cover for juveniles or adult children trying to cover for parents |
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Accidental Fire Causes (HELLS FOG) |
Heating Equipment Cooking Equipment Explosions Lighting Low temperature ignition and accidental fires Smoking Electrical Equipment Flammable Open Flames Gas Fires Combustible LiquidsSparks Spontaneous Heating Fireworks/ExplosiveDust Explosions Wildland Fires |
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Indicators of Incendiarism(MARS FLAME) |
Multiple firesTrailers Plants Absence of All Accidental Fire Causes Removal of Contents prior to the fire Structural Damage Prior to Fire Flammable AccelerantsCommon equipment/appliances Location of the Fire Absence of Personal Items/Important Papers Major Appliances Removed Prior to the Fire Evidence of Other Crimes in the Structures |
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Indicators of incendiarism 2 (PUPIIE) |
Pre-Burned Contents or Second Fire in Same Structure Unnatural Fire Spread, Excessive Fire Damage, or Evidence of Extreme Heat Presence of Burned or Unburned Fuel Near Point of Origin Injuries to Occupants Inappropriate Period of Time Between Exit of Occupant and Fire Entry of Fire Companies Blocked or View into Structure Blocked |
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Indicators of incendiarism 3 |
Fires Occurring on Holidays or Weekends Time of Day Water Heater Fires or Fires Where a Convenient Heat Source is Available Fires During Renovations Reported Activities of Owners/Occupants Statements of Owners/Occupants |
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Incendiary Fires |
You Can NOT have an Incendiary Fire if you can not eliminate ALL accidental causes. |
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Motive is the “Reason” for setting a Fire (5) |
Sometimes confused with “Intent” which is the “deliberateness” of the act Motive is not necessary to prove the corpus delicti of the crime of arson Identification of the motive often helps to assist the investigator during interviews Frequently, the district attorney may decline to prosecute if the motive is not clearly understood Jurors may fail to find the accused guilty unless they know (and understand) why the individual(s) set the fire |
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Seven Basic Motives(7) |
Juvenile /Vandalism Fraud/Profit Vanity/Hero Crime Concealment Spite/Revenge Civil Disorders Pyromania |
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Juvenile/Vandalism |
Accountable for 50% of incendiary fires and 25% of all fires in the United States Does not include the “fire Play” fire setter Deals with the juvenile that has been or perceives himself to have been physically, mentally, or sexually abused. The risk taker trying to ‘fit in’ or the true juvenile delinquent |
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Fraud/Profit |
Fraud is defined as: A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain Two Types of Fraud Fires: Direct Gain Indirect |
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Vanity/Hero |
Dangerous because the fire setter believes the situation is ‘under control’ Sets fires in an attempt to prove worth to; Employer, spouse, family, friends, self |
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Crime Concealment |
Destruction of books/records Distraction for criminal activity Arson for escape Arson to conceal murder Murder or suicide by arson Crime to conceal arson (staged burglary) Drug addicts and arson |
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Spite/Revenge |
Most Deadly Type of Fire Largest Loss of Life Largest Property Loss Initiated by hatred, jealousy, or other uncontrolled emotion. May involve any emotional situation Commonly referred to as a “Lover Fire” Arsonist acts in a deliberate and malicious way to inflict injury without regard to possible consequences. Frequently disables fire protection systems and blocks exiting |
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Civil Disorder |
Fire Used As A Weapon Two Results: Destruction of property Impression that group activity involves many people Mob Action Arson Used in Recent Years Power of Suggestion- “snowball Effect” Can Relate To Other Motives (excuses for burning) |
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Pyromania |
Defined as the uncontrollable urge to start fires. (May or may not be interconnected to sexual desires and/or gratification’s) Wide range of opinions among experts Very little comprehensive research in recent years Many lay opinions available The rarest of all seven |
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Indicators Before Arrival |
Weather – snow, rain, lighting Time of Day, Day of Week Barricades of Obstructions in Street/Road, Blocking Hydrant/Sprinkler Connections, Tampering with Fire Protective Systems Color of Smoke and Flames Persons or Vehicles Leaving the Scene Blacked out or Boarded Windows |
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Indicators Upon Arrival |
Multiple Fires in Same Structures or Area Condition of doors and windows . . Lock, unlocked, forced open Open File Cabinets, Ledgers and Record Books Left Out Open Safe Missing or Lack of Stock, Contents, Clothing, Furniture Unusual Odors Structural Damage to Assist Fire spread Civilians Who Appear at Multiple Scenes or Try to Help Location of Fire Plants and Trailers Evidence, Containers, Unburned Accelerant Residue |
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International Fire Code |
-The Fire Chief or his Designate Shall Investigate the Causes of all Fires Within the Jurisdiction |
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Arizona Revised Statutes |
-Title 13 Chapter 17 -Defines Damage as any Physical or Visual Impairment of Any Surface |
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Jurisdictions for Prosecution |
Reckless Burning-City Civil courtCity Attorney City Magistrate Arson-Superior CourtPima County Prosecutor Superior Court Judge -Occupied Unoccupied Structure, all other Felony Arson Arrest Except Arson of Federal PropertyFederal CourtDistrict Circuit Federal Prosecutor Federal District Judge |
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Arson Conviction To obtain and arson conviction, the prosecutor must be able to prove |
There was a fire and damaged occurred The accused is responsible for setting the fire The accused had intent to do harm Fire – Incendiary – Guilty FIG |
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Burden of Proof |
Civil - Preponderance of the Evidence Criminal – Beyond a Reasonable Doubt |
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Two Types of Search Warrants |
Administrative and Criminal Security for the fire scene is the responsibility of every fire fighter and begins the moment the fire department arrives |
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Limitations to Investigation |
Fourth Amendments – Search and Seizure Fifth Amendment – A person Cannot be Compelled to Incriminate Against His/Herself Sixth Amendment – Accused Has the Right to Legal Representation and a Public and Speedy Trial Fourteenth Amendment – Due Process Applicable to All States |
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Plain View Doctrine |
Officer must have legal authority to be where he/she is when the evidence is observed The Evidence must be in plain sight |
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Benchmark Cases in Fire Cause Investigation |
Tyler vs Michigan Clifford vs Michigan Miranda vs Arizona Escobedo vs California |
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Miranda Rights |
A Suspect must be informed of their rights when the officer -Puts the suspect into custodial care and -Intends to question the suspect |
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TFD Guidelines |
Keep your supervisor informed of anything you see and/or hear Stay alert and observant Avoid using the term “Arson”, especially on the radio Avoid giving detailed information of a fire cause investigation/determination over the radio |
