FIRE INVESTIGATION

HORRAINE MORRIS
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
AIM

To Introduce, Illustrate and Demonstrate

the manner in which a Fire Investigation
scene ought to be documented and
processed.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
Objectives
Appreciate the chemical and physical processes
involve in combustion.

Know the safety precautions ought to be taken

prior to and whilst processing Fire scenes.

Know how to properly document and process Fire

Scenes and package evidence from such scenes.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the
exothermic chemical process of combustion.

Combustion
Combustion or burning, in which substances
combine chemically with oxygen from the air and
typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke.
FIRE INVESTIGATION
Elements of a Fire
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
Constituents of a Fire’s
Elements

Fuel is mostly:
 Organic
 That is having Carbon and Hydrogen
atoms and sometimes Oxygen
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
Constituents of a Fire’s
Elements
Heat:
Energy transferred from one body to
another due to a temperature difference.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
Constituents of a Fire’s
Elements
Mechanisms of Heat Transfer

Conduction

Radiation

Convection
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
Constituents of a Fire’s
Elements
Sources of Heat

Chemicals (Nuclear)

Electrical

Mechanical
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
Constituents of a Fire’s
Elements
Oxygen the Oxidizer

An oxidizer is any substance that liberates

oxygen gas on acquisition of electrons as it
reacts with a fuel.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
Categories of Fire

Accidental
Unintentional

Arson
Deliberate
 FIRE INVESTIGATION

Establishing Arson

Exclude all accidental causes by casting out all

the obviously impossible causes.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
Establishing Arson
INDICATORS

Multiple points of origin

Hour glass and/or inverted V-patterns
Evidence of incendiary devices
Signs of ignitable liquids
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
SAFETY CHECK
Prior to processing any fire scene your
safety must be your priority. Remember to
always:

Wear protective gear

Overall/Coverall, Helmet, Gloves, Goggle, Steel Toe
boots, Respirator.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
SAFETY CHECK

Seek an exit route before entering structure.

Vocalize your location within the scene at all
times.
Be watchful of burning debris.
Be alert of the potential of debris to fall.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION

PROCESSING THE SCENE

All arson scenes must be processed

according to the crime scene processing
protocol.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION

PROCESSING THE SCENE

INTERVIEW

First police officer on scene

Fire chief or fire personnel
Witnesses
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROCESSING THE SCENE

EXAMINATION

View the scene in its entirety making note

of the various Burn Patterns.
FIRE INVESTIGATION
THE CLASSIC “V”
THE CLASSIC
“V”
THE CLASSIC “V”
FIRE INVESTIGATION
THE INVERTED CONE
FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROTECTED AREA
HOUR GLASS
FIRE INVESTIGATION
CLEAN BURN
FIRE INVESTIGATION
RUN DOWN
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
IGNITABLE LIQUID POUR PATTERN
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
IGNITABLE LIQUID POUR PATTERN
IGNITABLE LIQUID POUR PATTERN
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROCESSING THE SCENE
EXAMINATION
Look for:

Signs of Force Entry

Accelerants’ containers
Incendiary devices
Area/Points of Origin
Trailers
Abnormalities
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROCESSING THE SCENE
EXAMINATION

Note:
Points of origin are generally found
closest to the lowest areas having the
most intense burns hence, the analysis of
Char Depth to determine such points.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROCESSING THE SCENE
EXAMINATION

Note:
Intense burning of wood results in burn
patterns referred to as Alligatoring.
FIRE INVESTIGATION
ALLIGATORING
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROCESSING THE SCENE
EXAMINATION

Note:
Intense burning of concrete and tiles
causes burn patterns referred to as
Spalling.
FIRE INVESTIGATION
SPALLING

EXAMINATION
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROCESSING THE SCENE
EXAMINATION

Note:
Burning of glass results in narrow
fractures which normally follow the
perimeter of the pane. Light bulbs are
normally distorted towards the direction
from which the heat originates.
FIRE INVESTIGATION
EXAMINATION
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROCESSING THE SCENE
PHOTOGRAPHY

The entire exterior and interior of building

should be documented showing its
location to neighboring buildings and
relationship with evidence.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROCESSING THE SCENE
SKETCH

Note:
Sketches should illustrate points of
origin and evidence collected.
SKETCH
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
PROCESSING THE SCENE
COLLECTION OF DEBRIS

Unused metal cans lids.

Nylon Bags
Paper Bags
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
COLLECTION OF DEBRIS
REMINDERS

Collect from point(s) of origin (multiple

samples).
Place solids in nylon bag of cans.
Place liquid samples in cans (fill to ¾).
Excavate if necessary.
 FIRE INVESTIGATION
COLLECTION OF DEBRIS
TOOLS THAT MAY BE NEEDED

Key Hole Saw

Hammer
Wood Chisel
Pry Bar
Trowel
 SOURCES
• Forte, M., Knox M.(2008) Crime Scene Processing,
USA, Eagle Crime Scene, Inc.

• Leihbacher, D. (2016, January 01). The Geometry

of Fire Investigations: Interpreting Fire Patterns.
Retrieved March 20, 2017, from Fire Engineering:
http://www.fireengineering.com/articles/print/vol
ume-169/issue-1/features/the-geometry-of-fire-
investigation-interpreting-fire-patterns.html