FIRE INVESTIGATOR, 1st ed., IFSTA, 2000
Fire investigation is the compilation and analysis of information related to fires and explosions. A fire investigation is usually conducted to determine and document the area of origin and cause of a fire and the factors that contributed to the ignition and subsequent growth. The information developed during the investigation is then used in many ways.
In its basic form, it can be used to complete a fire incident report for the incident. The information, along with other data developed by a jurisdiction, can be used to identify trends, assist in the prevention of similar incidents, and develop public education programs. On a broader level, investigation data is used in the development of codes and standards aimed at reducing fire losses and preventing fire deaths.
Fire investigations are also conducted to determine whether a fire was intentionally set. In these cases, the cause and origin information developed by the fire investigator becomes an integral part of any criminal investigation and subsequent legal actions taken against the responsible parties.
The fire investigator: As a result of the increase in the amount of information available on the ignition, growth, and development of fires, the amount of information a fire investigator must posses has dramatically increased in recent decades. Today's fire investigators must be knowledgeable in many areas including the science of fire, building construction and systems, hazardous materials recognition, evidence collection, scene documentation, and many other topics.
The field of fire investigation has changed in many ways. Historically, fire investigators were taught rules of thumb related to burn patterns and other physical evidence commonly found at the fire scene. For instance, it was a commonly accepted "rule" that the collapse of furniture springs was valid indication of exposure to a specific heat source. Many other rules of thumb were commonly taught to investigators. These concepts were readily accepted as fact. However, based on decades of research, we now know that the metal in furniture springs anneals by exposure to high temperatures for short times or lower temperatures for longer periods. The result is the same no matter how the heat was applied - the metal springs lose their springiness. To be successful, today's fire investigators can no longer apply these "rules of thumb in their analysis but must rely on scientific principles and available research to reach their conclusions.
NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, defines the job of the fire investigator. That document defines the basic job performance requirements (JPRS) for fire investigators. It focuses on determining the cause and responsibility for fires. Sometimes, investigations may also assist in determining factors related to damage after a fire began (developing fire spread scenarios); identifying specific reasons for injuries or deaths (evaluating life safety issues); and assessing human fault or responsibility factors (determining facts related to potential negligence) These are often important functions; however, they are not the focus of this manual. If such functions are assigned, additional references and resources should be consulted.
Purpose and Scope: The purpose of this manual is to provide fire investigators with the information, data, and resources necessary to meet the job performance requirements for fire investigators as defined in NFPA 1033. Fire investigators in every segment of the profession will find the information contained in this manual useful in their professional development. Every effort has been made to base the material in the manual on the most current information available. The manual is intended for use as a text for formal training courses in fire investigation and as a guide for self-study by individual investigators. The ultimate goal of the manual is to promote the professional development of fire investigators who work in conjunction with fire departments around the world to reduce the loss of lives and property from fire.
8 1/2" x 11", 235 pages, black & white photos & illustrations, softcover BF7325 / $37.00
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