Fire investigation

Fire investigation, sometimes referred to as origin and cause investigation, is the analysis of fire-related incidents. After firefighters extinguish a fire, an investigation is launched to determine the origin and cause of the fire or explosion. Investigations of such incidents are done using a systematic approach and knowledge of basic fire science.

Investigating fires

Fire investigation is one of the most difficult of the forensic sciences to practice. Unlike most forensic disciplines, even the basic question of whether a crime has been committed is normally not obvious. During a fire investigation, an entire process must be undertaken just to determine if the case involves arson or not. The difficulty of determining whether arson has occurred arises because fire often destroys the key evidence of its origin. Many fires are caused by defective equipment, such as shorting of faulty electrical circuits for example. Car fires can be caused by faulty fuel lines, and spontaneous combustion is possible where organic wastes are stored.

A fire investigator looks at the fire remains, and obtains information to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the fire.

One of the challenging aspects of fire investigation is the multi-disciplinary basis of the investigator's job. Fires can be caused by or involve many common artifacts. So fire investigators need to know not only basic science of fire behavior, but knowledge of many different areas of study (including construction, electricity, human behavior, vehicles etc) is helpful. If there is a gas appliance at the origin of the fire, an investigator should know enough about appliances to either include or exclude it as a possible cause of the fire. Fire investigators must also know their own limitations and call upon experts to assist when needed. Accordingly, fire investigators sometimes work with forensic electrical engineers (when examining electrical appliances, household wiring, etc.) or others skilled in forensic engineering (gas-powered appliances, air handling equipment, gas delivery systems, etc.).

Recommended practices

In the United States, one of the guides fire investigators may refer to is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for codes, standards, and suggested practices about conducting fire investigations. The most recent edition of this guide, titled NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations, was published in 2008. The information and practices discussed below are those which appear in NFPA 921.

Conducting investigations

Fire investigators conduct their investigations using a systematic approach. The approach endorsed by the NFPA is that of the scientific method (for a more detailed discussion, see the article on NFPA 921). There are five components that create a methodology with which fires are investigated using a systematic approach:

• The assignment is received and the investigator is notified of his/her responsibilities
• The investigator plans the investigation and assembles tools, equipment, and personnel
• The scene is examined and data is collected
• Physical evidence is collected, documented, tested, and evaluated
• The scientific method is used to analyze the information obtained

Licensure

I. The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), a professional group of fire investigators, grants a National Board Certified fire investigation certification called the "Certified Fire Investigator" (IAAI-CFI).

For more information, please visit their website at http://www.firearson.com

II. The National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), a professional association of fire and explosion investigators, offer several National Board Certified fire investigation certifications, including:

A) Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI),

B) Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and

C) Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII).

For more information, please visit their website at http://www.nafi.org.

See also

• Fire science
• Arson
• NFPA 921
• Kirk's Fire Investigation
• Forensic electrical engineer
• Forensic engineering
• ATF Fire Research Laboratory
• Fire protection engineer

References

• NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations (2004 ed.). National Fire Protection Association. 2004. ISBN 0-00-653937-8. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

External links

• The Science of Arson and Fire Investigation: All About Forensic Science Blog Post
• High Quality Virtual Tours of Fire Investigation Scenes - Virtual Vision