Fire photography - is the act of

taking photographs of firefighting o

perations. People who practice this
form of photography are called fire
photographers.
 The use of photographs to document much of the
evidence and to support the observations, opinions
and conclusions the investigations wish to make as to
the cause of the fire will support the investigator’s
findings.

 Photographs also provide evidence which would

counteract arguments of alternative causes of fire
which might be suggested at a later date.

 Photographs provide a pictorial representation which

is easily understood and evaluated.
PHOTOGRAPHING THE EXTERIOR
“Where to photograph and what to photograph “
1.From all sides or at least to opposite corners of the buildings
to show the overall degree of fire damage and the locations
of the various entrances and windows;

2.The locations of the building to neighboring building or fire

fighting access area;

3.Any object which may be material to the circumstances of the

fire;

4.Types of tracks, footprints and the location of explosion

debris are photographed in close details,as well as from a
distance.
 The exterior photographs generally shows the nature
and material of construction and the locations of the
doors, windows, chimneys, flues, electricity fuse box or
gas meter.

 If the fire started inside a building near an exterior wall

or in a roof cavity the area of fire origin can often be
determined from studying the heat or burn patterns on
the exterior of the window frames, wall or roof

 Panoramic views are valuable in reports as they provide

in great detail an overall view of the scene
. PHOTOGRAPHING THE INTERIOR
 Photographs of the interior of a building are generally
more difficult for the viewer to interpret than the
exterior photographs as the interior surfaces are
usually burnt and covered with a layer of soot, and the
viewer is generally unfamiliar with such an
environment .
“Where to photograph and what to photograph“
1. All rooms and areas inside the building affected by the fire should
be photographed, and the photographs should be sequentially
presented in a report from the areas of least damage to the
areas of greatest damage, or to the area of fire origin, if this is
not the area of greatest damage.

2. Photographs of the peripheral areas where the fire had not

originated;

3. The area of fire origin should be photographed before excavation

has commenced and again photographed during excavation, if the
process has yielded points of interest.

4. At areas where an accelerant is suspected the areas of localised

damage to the floor as well as the overhead damage should be
photographed.
5. The burn patterns at doorways should be
photographed to show the spread of the fire between
rooms.
6. If appliances are suspected of causing the fire they
should be photographed from a distance and in close up
in the location where they were found, The remains
should then be taken outside to allow closer inspection
and so that they can be photographed in sunlight or
later in the laboratory.
POINTS OF ENTRY AND SECURITY
OF BUILDING

 Fire Brigade personnel will usually give an account of

the security of a building as they found it. In many
cases their accounts will need to be verified at each
point of entry by an inspection of the burn patterns and
soot deposits to surfaces around the point of entry, and
an examination for tool marks.
“Where to photograph and what to photograph“
1. The doors should be first photographed in the position in
which they were found. If the door was found closed then
both sides of the door should be photographed.

2.The burn patterns and soot deposits around the door and
the door frame should be photographed as they normally
ascertain the position of the door at the time of the fire.

3. Any parts of the door or lock which may have been

dislodged as a result of some type of forced entry should be
photographed at the location where they were found and
later reconstructed at their original position.
Importance of Photography in Arson
investigation:
Without evidence, arrest and prosecution of an arsonist
is extremely difficult. Photography is an effective tool
in recording and preserving the evidence of set fires.
Much of the actual evidence may be destroy during fire
fighting, or if it survives the fire, it may be impossible
to preserve.

Every effort should be made to photograph the scene of a

fire, whether or not arson is suspected, before it is
disturbed by other operations. Picture may be used to
probe the intent to commit arson.
Photography in arson Investigation:
1. Show the areas in which the fire started or was set.

2. Help identify spectators. An arsonist often remains to watch the fire.

3.Provide information about the speed of combustion and direction of

spreading.

4.Show the progressive stages of burning and fire fighting from various
angles.

5.Help investigators determine the type of material/s burning. This is

where the use of color and film is recommended.

6.Give particular attention to the most burned charred areas. The

structure should be photographed from all sides or angles to show the
damaged areas.