Methods of Search

a) Point-to-Point Search–The firemen enters

the fire scene from the point of entrance
and goes to the first apparent item of
evidence. This process is repeated until the
room or the area has been systematically
and carefully scrutinized.
b) Sector Search – The fire scene is subdivided
into sectors, a building into rooms or floors.
Each firemen or officer is then assigned to
specific search area. This method of search
is usually employed when there is a large
area to cover.
c) Concentric Circle Search – The
searcher start at the centric point. As
soon as this location has been
thoroughly combed, a new and
large circle is drawn. As each new
circle is drawn, the size of the area
expands.
d) Locate the Point of Origin – The
region in which the fire originated
may be determined by the
information obtained from the
witnesses and
d) Examine the Point of Origin – The
remains at the point of origin should be
studied carefully for the purpose of
determining the cause of the fire. A
search should be made for traces of
combustible materials substances. Such
as peculiarly colored materials should
be collected for laboratory examination.
Peculiar odor should be noted.
e) Traces of Accelerants – Attention
should be focused for the traces of
accelerants like kerosene, gasoline or
turpentine.
f) Altered Protected Device – To insure
destruction, arsonist sometimes
tampered the alarm device. The
water may be examined for the signs
of tampering.
f) Tools – Tools might have been brought
there and abandoned by the arsonist
in his preparation to set the fire.
g) Documents – the arsonist may expose
incriminating documents to flame. In
the examination of such documents,
the absence of certain papers such as
insurance policy which is normally kept
in the area should be investigated.
g) Interior Arrangement – The condition
and contents of various areas in the
building should be noted. An
occupant planning to set a fire will
be tempted to remove certain items
such as articles of sentimental value,
jewelry, insurance, policy etc. Books
of account may be tented on the
table to facilitate combustion.
h) Witnesses – A valuable information
may be obtained by the arson
investigator thru the following
person;
i. Person first arriving at the fire scene –
Every effort should be made to locate
and identify the person who first saw
the fire because he can determine the
exact point where the fire began and
the number of places it started.
ii. Firemen – The firemen should be asked
question concerning the nature of the
fire, color of flame and smoke.
iii. Watchmen – The watchmen of the
building can give detailed information
concerning the condition of the building
before the fire. Inquiries from the
watchmen must be made regarding the
recent behavior occupants, movements
of stocks and pieces of furniture.
Information regarding the last person to
leave the building.
THE PHYSICAL EVIDENCE COLLECTION
•Any piece of evidence that
appears to have un-usual
significance should be
photographed and located
on a sketch before it is moved.
The following may be some of
the evidences that may be
collected in the fire scene.
• Containers – bottles, cans, barrels,
pails or boxes to hold the combustible
liquid may be recovered from the
scene. (The original container should
be collected and preserved).
• Ashes and Debris – the ashes and
debris which may possibly contain
clothing which normally not
completely burned unless soak with
accelerants may be significant in the
examination
• Finger-prints and Impressions – a
search for fingerprints should be given
special attention especially on
suspicious container of accelerant.
The object containing the print should
be preserved, packed and transported
to the laboratory. Tool marks, shoe or
tire impressions should be
photographed-processed – by
recommended methods, and sent to
the laboratory for further study.
• Incendiary Devices – suspicious
articles like wires, fuses straw or
candles, which may form part of
the incendiary device, should be
collected.
• Stoves and Fire-places – the ashes
in the stove and fire-place should
be subjected to examination.