When investigating fires, the main task of the team is to identify the causes and source of ignition in order to further determine those responsible for the disaster. For example, there is a situation where a fire occurred in a residential building causing injuries and deaths on the scene. The investigation of this case requires the involvement of firefighters, paramedics, medical experts, evidence analysts, and a team of investigators with extensive knowledge in this field. Thus, fire investigation is a complex process in which the investigator must coordinate many operations and take into account all possible nuances.
The first stage of the investigation is an initial assessment of the scene to determine the extent of the disaster. In the case of a fire, it is crucial at the beginning to identify the area affected by the fire, explore the possibilities of access to the disaster location, and, if necessary, take additional measures, such as cutting off electricity in the area. Furthermore, unauthorized access to the scene must be restricted so that evidence is not destroyed or defaced (Fisher & Fisher, 2022). The initial assessment is essential as it allows the development of a different approach to assessing the fire scene.
Given that there are casualties due to the fire, it is necessary to involve paramedics or emergency medical personnel to provide first aid to the victims. Moreover, a medical examiner or Medicolegal Death Investigator should also be involved in the investigation since there are dead people on the scene. (Fisher & Fisher, 2022). The expert must record the fact of death and determine the cause of death. In the case of a fire, death can be ascertained as a result of burns or asphyxiation with carbon monoxide. In addition, the expert can establish if the person was dead before the fire.
The investigation of the causes and sources of fire has an interdisciplinary basis since it requires knowledge of physics and chemistry from the investigator. In addition, it is necessary to involve experts in various fields, such as firefighters and forensic engineers. As Lentini (2019) notes, the investigator’s lack of knowledge, such as “basic combustion reactions such as those of hydrogen or methane” (p. 42), often hinders the investigation. In such cases, it would be prudent to involve experts who can assess the scene and determine the source of ignition.
The assessment of the fire site is best done from the general to the more specific. Freitas and Rodrigues (2022) noted that gas and electrical systems, as well as compliance with fire safety measures must first be assessed. After assessing these systems and establishing their serviceability or malfunction, it is necessary to proceed to the inspection of the area affected by fire and the collection of evidence. If a fire has occurred in a residential building, it is necessary to start from the premises less affected by the fire. When inspecting these rooms, paying attention to the results of a fire on the floor, walls, and ceiling is essential. In addition, it is important to note the direction of the spread of fire with the help of arrows or other indicative signs. In this way, it is easiest to determine how the fire happened and find its source.
When searching for a fire, it is crucial to understand that a fire could not necessarily start in the most affected room. The extent to which a fire spreads is affected by the presence of oxygen, so it is important to carefully inspect the room for sources of oxygen, such as open windows and doors or the ventilation system. Thus, “the examination of the compartments most affected by the fire should be thorough and detailed” (Freitas & Rodrigues, 2022, p. 277). The identification of the ignition source for large-scale fires may take more time and is often based on hypotheses and assumptions. Entering the suspected area of fire’s origin must be done carefully so as not to damage significant evidence.
By determining where the fire occurred, it is possible to find the ignition’s point and its causes. A fire can occur for technical reasons, such as a malfunction of the electrical or gas system or non-compliance with fire safety standards. In this case, it is necessary to study the documentation, “such as licensing, possible copies of insurance policies, blueprints or plans, documents from the technical manager, reports, maintenance notes, and other documents” (Freitas & Rodrigues, 2022, p. 274). It will help to establish whose fault the fire occurred and who should be held responsible for the damage caused. Moreover, if a fire has caused casualties, evacuation plans should be carefully reviewed to determine if the victims had the opportunity to leave the scene of the crime safely.
If the cause of the fire was arson, investigators must collect all possible evidence to help search for the suspect. It includes collecting physical evidence and obtaining information from witnesses or victims if their condition allows it. The problem with fire investigations is that most biological evidence, like fingerprints or DNA, is often destroyed in a fire. Therefore, all available evidence must be carefully analyzed to obtain as much information as possible.
Thus, fire investigation is often rather laborious and time-consuming, requiring investigators to have additional knowledge and competencies in different areas. If a fire occurs in a small area, it is easier to determine the source and causes of the fire. However, if the fire is of a large scale, there may be many nuances in the investigation that must be taken into account to establish the causes of the disaster correctly. Fire and arson investigations often require a large team of specialists, including investigators, medical examiners, evidence analysts, firefighters, and paramedics.
References
Fisher B. A. J., & Fisher D. R. (2022). Techniques of crime scene investigation. CRC Press.
Freitas, R. A., & Rodrigues, J. P. C. (2022). A fire investigation methodology for buildings.Architecture, Structures and Construction, 2(2), 269-290.
Lentini, J. J. (2019). Fire investigation: Historical perspective and recent developments.Forensic Sci Rev, 31, 37-44.