Fire Investigation Unit
Transcript of Fire Investigation Unit
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Introduction
• DFD FIU• Legalities• Methodology• When to contact
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
What is a Fire Investigator?
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
According to the Colorado Revised Statutes (C.R.S.)
• 16-2.5-109. Fire arson investigator.• A fire arson investigator employed by a unit of
local government is a peace officer while engaged in the performance of his or her duties whose authority shall be limited to the enforcement of arson and related laws ...
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
What DFD Investigators do…
• Fire Investigators will act as a detective for the case– Determine the fire origin and cause– Collect evidence and document the scene– Interview witnesses and victims– Interrogate suspects– Prepare and present case filings to the District
Attorney’s Office for arson-related crimes – Testify in court proceedings – both criminal and
civil
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
4th Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and No Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
4th Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and No Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
How are we allowed to investigate fires?
We are allowed to enter a property under the 17th exception to the Fourth Amendment to
determine origin and cause ONLY(Michigan V. Tyler 436 U.S. 499, 1978)
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Exigency
• Please note that the IC shall have DFD personnel remain on scene until relieved by the Investigators
• If you leave for any length of time, we have to request a search warrant
• By leaving, you have eliminated exigency
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Plain View Exception
• If there legally, can use what you can see
• Systematic approach needed
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Suppression & Exigency
• Locate
• Confine
• Extinguish– Investigate
• Overhaul
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Methodology
• Outside to inside
• Document areas without fire damage and areas of fire damage
• Investigators gather initial data and impression
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Documentation
• Record possessions– Present/missing
• We try to keep you out of photos on purpose– Subpoenas are not fun
• Ask if you want to see!
• Don’t lock up until after Investigators look
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
So, when must Arson respond?
• All fire fatalities
• Life-threatening injuries w/transport
• FF fire-related injuries
• All suspicious or known arson fires
• All fires causing property damage when IC is unable to determine cause
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
So, when should Arson respond?
• All incendiary devices– Molotovs, trailers, ignitable liquid pours, ignition
devices
• All explosions involving property damage and/or life-threatening injuries
• Malicious false alarms or nuisance fires where there is witness/suspect info
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
So, when should Arson respond?
• Monetary loss should not be the primary consideration
• All fires with property damage caused by juveniles – (10 years old)
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Cause Classifications
• Accidental
• Natural
• Incendiary
• Undetermined
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Cause Determinations
• Accidental– IC makes the call
• Natural– IC makes the call
• Incendiary• Undetermined
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Cause Determinations
• Accidental– IC makes the call
• Natural– IC makes the call
• Incendiary– Arson needs to be contacted
• Undetermined– Arson needs to be contacted
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Cause Determinations
• Accidental• Natural• Incendiary• Undetermined
Get out of your car
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Cause Determinations
Accidental Fires
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Cause Determinations
Undetermined Fires
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Fire Cause Determinations
Arson Fires
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Denver Public Schools
• They are required to contact DFD
• Suppression needs to respond to verify extinguishment and no life threats
• Arson will respond if there is:– Property damage and/or– Suspect info
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Youth Fire Stop Program
• One full-time person
• Designed to educate any child about the dangers and consequences of playing with fire
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Youth Fire Stop Program
• Don’t lecture and release; refer them to YFS
• When referring, get:– Juvenile name, address, DOB, phone– Parent/guardian name, address, DOB, phone– Sibling name, address, DOB, phone
• If an immediate life threat is a concern, get a mental health hold, don’t refer to YFS.
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
What can you do to help us?
– Get initial story from occupant (I.C.)
–Don’t let the occupant back inside
– Premise history/inspections
– Tell us what you saw when you first arrived• May be different than what we see
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
What else can you do to help us?
Slow down your overhaul-if you take it out, you’ll have to put it back
• Let us look at the fire first
• Overhaul can be completed after we’re done
• Over-zealous overhaul may slow the victim’s insurance payment, but do enough to prevent re-kindle.
Fire Investigation Unit
Created by:S. Renter & R. Noble
Drywall
• Drywall will only fail at the seams or penetrations
• Calcination – chemically bound water
• Thermal imager shows absorbed heat on the drywall– Paper 451° , Pine 800 °
223° F