57:
22:
747:, through a document known as NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Requirements for Fire Investigator, publishes minimum requirements for the knowledge skills and ability of a fire investigator. Principal among these is a 16-point list of areas in which a fire investigator is required to have education beyond high school level. The list mentions points such as using protective equipment, fire ignition, heat science, explosions, working with chemicals, investigating fires, using related technology, and reporting evidence. These guidelines are recommended practice but are not required by law.
689:, including the following: When arsonists attack, there is very rarely much evidence left at the scene. However, arsonists usually use accelerants to speed up a blaze. Forensic scientists use technologies to heat samples taken from the scene causing any residue to separate. This sample is then analyzed to determine the chemical structure. Scientists also use other tests such as using liquid nitrogen gas to trap residue which are then analyzed using gas chromatography. The investigator:
762:. Both also require an application process detailing the investigator's education, training, and experience, and successfully challenging a written examination. Certificates are valid for a period of 5 years, at which time an investigator must demonstrate continued participation in the field and a minimum amount of continuing education in order to be recertified.
731:
allows for control to be taken over the crime scene and limits the chance of an investigation being compromised. Investigators then document any evidence seen at the crime scene or on the victims (clothes, burns, etc.) While looking for evidence, any findings that impose a threat to evidence, such as excessive use of
548:. These investigations can occur in two stages. The first stage is an investigation of the scene of the fire to establish its origin and cause. The second step is to conduct laboratory examination on the retrieved samples. Investigations of such incidents require a systematic approach and knowledge of fire science.
713:
Fire scene reconstruction is critical to understanding complicated fires. When normal approaches fail, laboratory reconstructions become critical. They contribute to the resolution of critical issues and the enhancement of fire safety. A reconstruction's objective, whether it is a test, experiment,
730:
can destroy evidence and efforts are made to do what is required to extinguish the fire, while not destroying clues to the fires' origin. By taking steps before the investigation starts, destruction of evidence can be avoided. Investigators are encouraged to set barriers and secure the area. This
709:
Depending on how much evidence is present, an investigator can use different approaches. Two techniques include process of elimination, or disregarding the causes that the evidence deems not possible. The second is to start investigating the most probable cause first until it is ruled unlikely.
583:
basis of the investigator's job. As fires can be caused by or involve many ignition sources and fuels, an individual with expertise in fire chemistry should investigate the incident. For example, if there is a gas appliance at the origin of the fire, an investigator should know enough about
714:
or demonstration, must be clearly stated. Various tests, ranging from small-scale to full-scale, help to understand fire behaviour. Clear agreements on size, safety, and data are required before proceeding. Specialist laboratories play an important role in increasing fire safety knowledge.
725:
is the destruction or alteration of evidence through intention or ignorance. The mere act of extinguishing a fire can destroy potential evidence of arson or what is also known as an "Incendiary fire." Firefighters are educated that the stream of their fire hose or the use of a
765:
The
National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), a professional association of fire and explosion investigators, offer several National Board Certified fire investigation certifications including:
576:
is possible where organic wastes are stored. A fire investigator looks at the fire remains, and obtains information to reconstruct the sequence of events leading up to the fire.
1111:
1093:
597:
616:
755:
780:
The
International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), a professional group of fire investigators, grants the following certifications:
751:
512:
1011:
969:
744:
602:
56:
1142:
994:
464:
1032:
784:
Certified Fire
Investigator (IAAI-CFI) – certified by the ProBoard Fire Service Professional Qualifications System.
584:
appliances to either include or exclude it as a possible cause of the fire. Fire investigators sometimes work with
413:
368:
266:
104:
1077:
880:
505:
398:
226:
383:
823:
808:
607:
589:
403:
236:
1169:
481:
84:
939:
732:
241:
498:
486:
40:
1154:
818:
21:
343:
328:
286:
722:
573:
313:
177:
828:
743:
Investigators can receive additional certification to prove their fire investigating skills.
126:
116:
74:
585:
443:
393:
373:
338:
216:
182:
735:, unusual movement of handles/knobs, and changed position of evidence should be reported.
685:
Fire investigators conduct their investigations using a systematic approach utilizing the
8:
408:
276:
206:
201:
172:
167:
146:
131:
111:
29:
25:
564:
of its origin. Many fires are caused by defective equipment, such as shorting of faulty
580:
565:
318:
308:
251:
221:
211:
136:
121:
89:
1149:
1138:
1073:
990:
965:
876:
686:
333:
300:
141:
619:
has long been regarded as the primary textbook in the field of fire investigation.
323:
281:
79:
48:
758:(IAAI). Both certification programs rely heavily on the content of NFPA 1033 and
448:
348:
94:
1050:
458:
160:
1163:
537:
271:
246:
99:
813:
533:
388:
256:
915:
Tubbs, Stephen (January 2020). "Electrically Caused Fire and the Expert".
612:
433:
231:
540:, an investigation is launched to determine the origin and cause of the
438:
261:
66:
727:
696:
Plans the investigation and assembles tools, equipment, and personnel
569:
545:
453:
1132:
759:
561:
705:
Applies the scientific method to analyze the information obtained
1155:
https://www.atascientific.com.au/technologies-forensic-sciences/
917:
803:
592:
when examining electrical appliances, household wiring, etc.
557:
579:
One of the challenging aspects of fire investigation is the
940:"Best Practice Manual for the Investigation of Fire Scenes"
541:
750:
Fire scene investigators may become certified through the
1012:"Investigative Techniques Applied to Arson Investigation"
904:. Washington D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1980.
595:
In the United States, fire investigators often refer to
560:
has occurred arises because fire often destroys the key
1137:(2004 ed.). National Fire Protection Association.
985:
Icove, David J. Ph.D. P.E.; Haynes, Gerald A. (2017).
1135:
NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and
Explosion Investigations
964:(8th ed.). Carolina Academic Press. p. 22.
860:
NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and
Explosion Investigations
598:
NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and
Explosion Investigations
1150:
https://www.einvestigator.com/arson-investigations/
532:, is the analysis of fire-related incidents. After
702:Collects, tests, evaluates, and documents evidence
770:Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI),
1161:
1098:International Association of Arson Investigators
1055:International Association of Arson Investigators
1051:"Fire Scene Evidence Collection Guide Checklist"
756:International Association of Arson Investigators
627:The main steps of a fire investigation include:
947:European Network of Forensic Science Institutes
776:Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII).
773:Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and
745:The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
1133:National Fire Protection Association (2004).
1112:"Reporter's Guide: About codes and standards"
506:
959:
953:
693:Receives the assignment and responsibilities
622:
984:
978:
1033:"A Guide for Investigating Fire and Arson"
752:National Association of Fire Investigators
513:
499:
28:Fire Investigation Unit responding on the
1094:"Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI®)"
855:
853:
851:
849:
793:Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT)
787:Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT)
20:
1016:Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology
1162:
1009:
846:
556:The difficulty of determining whether
551:
1126:
1067:
914:
870:
1116:National Fire Protection Association
1027:
1025:
934:
932:
930:
896:
894:
892:
699:Examines the scene and collects data
603:National Fire Protection Association
568:. Car fires can be caused by faulty
960:Decker, J.F.; Ottley, B.L. (2009).
13:
673:Finish necessary documents/reports
16:Analysis of fire-related incidents
14:
1181:
1022:
927:
889:
738:
414:Traffic collision reconstruction
55:
1104:
1086:
1072:. CRC Press. pp. 105–106.
1061:
1043:
267:Questioned document examination
1003:
908:
864:
790:Certified Instructor (IAAI-CI)
530:origin and cause investigation
1:
1037:National Institute of Justice
839:
717:
590:forensic electrical engineers
834:
809:ATF Fire Research Laboratory
634:Ensure safety of crime scene
7:
902:Fire Investigation Handbook
875:. CRC Press. pp. 1–2.
797:
676:Interview necessary parties
670:Conclude the investigation
662:Sketch the scene and damage
648:Evaluate interior structure
645:Evaluate external structure
528:, sometimes referred to as
85:Bloodstain pattern analysis
10:
1186:
733:fire-suppressing chemicals
1068:Daéid, Niamh Nic (2004).
989:(8th ed.). Pearson.
987:Kirk's fire investigation
962:Arson Law and Prosecution
871:Daéid, Niamh Nic (2004).
824:Kirk's Fire Investigation
651:Determine point of origin
623:Conducting investigations
608:Kirk's Fire Investigation
384:Fire accelerant detection
819:Fire protection engineer
659:Sample and tag evidence
287:Social network analysis
656:Document the evidence
642:Investigate the scene
574:spontaneous combustion
369:Electrical engineering
33:
1010:Savage, John (1957).
829:Women in firefighting
399:Materials engineering
227:Facial reconstruction
24:
631:Arrive at the scene
444:Perry Mason syndrome
232:Fingerprint analysis
665:Photograph evidence
566:electrical circuits
552:Investigating fires
467:forensic entomology
404:Polymer engineering
362:Related disciplines
277:Forensic geophysics
257:Gloveprint analysis
237:Firearm examination
207:Body identification
30:Victoria Embankment
26:London Fire Brigade
1170:Fire investigation
1127:General references
1070:Fire Investigation
873:Fire Investigation
586:forensic engineers
581:multi-disciplinary
526:Fire investigation
379:Fire investigation
262:Palmprint analysis
222:Election forensics
105:Forensic genealogy
34:
971:978-1-59460-590-1
687:scientific method
523:
522:
301:Digital forensics
242:Footwear evidence
1177:
1148:
1120:
1119:
1108:
1102:
1101:
1090:
1084:
1083:
1065:
1059:
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1041:
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1007:
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906:
905:
898:
887:
886:
868:
862:
857:
679:Present evidence
617:Gerald A. Haynes
515:
508:
501:
427:Related articles
334:Network analysis
324:Malware analysis
282:Forensic geology
59:
49:Forensic science
36:
35:
1185:
1184:
1180:
1179:
1178:
1176:
1175:
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1092:
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1087:
1080:
1066:
1062:
1049:
1048:
1044:
1039:. May 31, 2009.
1031:
1030:
1023:
1008:
1004:
997:
983:
979:
972:
958:
954:
942:
938:
937:
928:
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909:
900:
899:
890:
883:
869:
865:
858:
847:
842:
837:
800:
741:
720:
637:Secure the area
625:
554:
519:
474:
473:
472:
469:
466:
449:Pollen calendar
428:
420:
419:
418:
363:
355:
354:
353:
303:
293:
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196:
188:
187:
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95:DNA phenotyping
69:
17:
12:
11:
5:
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1173:
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1152:
1143:
1128:
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811:
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791:
788:
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771:
754:(NAFI) or the
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707:
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683:
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621:
613:David J. Icove
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459:Trace evidence
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357:
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349:Audio analysis
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344:Video analysis
341:
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331:
329:Mobile devices
326:
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319:Database study
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309:Computer exams
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195:Criminalistics
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6:
4:
3:
2:
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1151:
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1144:0-00-653937-8
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1136:
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996:9780134237923
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748:
746:
739:Qualification
736:
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729:
724:
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549:
547:
543:
539:
536:extinguish a
535:
531:
527:
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511:
509:
504:
502:
497:
496:
494:
493:
488:
485:
483:
480:
479:
478:
477:
468:
465:Use of DNA in
462:
460:
457:
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450:
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445:
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440:
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314:Data analysis
312:
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288:
285:
283:
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278:
275:
273:
272:Vein matching
270:
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247:Forensic arts
245:
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178:Psychotherapy
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101:
100:DNA profiling
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78:
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72:
68:
67:Physiological
63:
62:
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50:
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46:
42:
38:
37:
31:
27:
23:
19:
1134:
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1069:
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1054:
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1036:
1015:
1005:
986:
980:
961:
955:
946:
920:
916:
910:
901:
872:
866:
859:
814:Fire marshal
779:
764:
749:
742:
721:
712:
708:
684:
626:
606:
596:
594:
578:
555:
534:firefighters
529:
525:
524:
389:Fractography
378:
117:Epidemiology
75:Anthropology
18:
923:(3): 26–27.
434:Crime scene
394:Linguistics
374:Engineering
339:Photography
217:Colorimetry
183:Social work
1079:0415248914
882:0415248914
840:References
723:Spoliation
718:Spoliation
588:, such as
570:fuel lines
439:CSI effect
409:Statistics
202:Accounting
173:Psychology
168:Psychiatry
147:Toxicology
132:Palynology
112:Entomology
835:Footnotes
728:Pike Pole
605:). Also,
546:explosion
454:Skid mark
252:Profiling
212:Chemistry
137:Pathology
122:Limnology
90:Dentistry
1164:Category
798:See also
760:NFPA 921
562:evidence
487:Category
142:Podiatry
127:Medicine
41:a series
39:Part of
482:Outline
80:Biology
1141:
1076:
993:
968:
879:
572:, and
161:Social
32:, 2023
943:(PDF)
804:Arson
558:arson
1139:ISBN
1074:ISBN
991:ISBN
966:ISBN
877:ISBN
615:and
542:fire
538:fire
611:by
544:or
1166::
1114:.
1096:.
1053:.
1035:.
1024:^
1014:.
945:.
929:^
921:70
919:.
891:^
848:^
43:on
1147:.
1118:.
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1057:.
1018:.
999:.
974:.
949:.
885:.
601:(
514:e
507:t
500:v
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
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