1. Fatal Fires and Fire Injuries
Chapter 15
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

2. Objectives
• Describe the documentation of victims (live
persons) and potential evidence
• Describe the documentation of the fatality and
the surrounding area
• Describe the process of identifying the body
• Define who establishes the cause and
mechanism of death
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

3. Case Study
• A body was found in a car and DNA analysis
could not be done until there was a comparison
sample
– The investigator found teeth at the wreck
– A mother called the police to report that her adult son
was missing
– His circumstances matched, and dental records were
found to match also
– It was critical to take extra steps and follow scientific
methodology
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

4. Introduction
• A fire with injuries or a fatality requires more
documentation than others
– Need to identify how the victims were injured or how
and why they died
• Path leading to the cause of the fire may lead to
a new avenue as the result of the injuries or
deaths
– Fire may now be a homicide scene
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

5. Preparation for the Investigator
• Investigator must be prepared for his or her own
emotions
• Many public safety organizations have created
programs to handle this type of stress
– Critical incident stress management
• Recommendations for both the psychological and
physical health of emergency personnel
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

6. The Scene
• Fire scene with an injury or fatality is no different
when it comes to the process and procedures
• Investigator should notify other law enforcement
authorities
– Will most likely bring additional resources and
expertise to the scene
• Cause of death will not be confirmed until after
the autopsy
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

7. Dealing with Injury Victims
• When there are injuries or fatalities, the first
responder investigator should call for an
assigned investigator
• Assigned investigator should interview the
victim as soon as possible
• Anything the victim was wearing is evidence
– Even gauze or pads used in the treatment of the
victim are evidence
• May have absorbed residues other than body fluids that
may be evidence
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

8. Dealing with Injury Victims (cont’d.)
• Steps must be taken to document any injuries
• All clothing should be photographed, both
damaged and undamaged
• Beneficial to have a signed medical information
release form
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

9. Fatalities
• Investigator needs to contact the hospital to
ensure that nothing is cleaned up until the body
and belongings are examined for evidence
• Some bodies, when found, leave no doubt that
the person is dead
– Scene must be secured immediately
– Nothing should be moved unless absolutely
necessary
– Assigned investigator must take a complete series of
photographs
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

10. Fatalities (cont’d.)
– Measurements of the room or area need to be as
accurate as possible
– Once the scene has been properly documented, a
body bag must be brought in and the body collected
• All parts of the body with nothing left behind
– Then, the scene must be thoroughly examined
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

11. Medical Examiner
• When the body is at the morgue, it will be
scheduled for an autopsy
• The medical examiner will run a series of tests,
from a detailed physical examination of the body
to a series of X-rays of the full body
– Throat and mouth will be examined to see if sooted
• No soot indicates that the person died prior to the fire
– ME will document the extent of the burns for the
report
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

12. Medical Examiner (cont’d.)
– Body will be documented for dehydration of the
muscle tissue as a result of exposure to heat
• Causes the flexing of the muscle and puts the arms in
what is referred to as pugilistic attitude
– Fingerprints may still identify the victim
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

13. Cause, Manner, and Mechanism of
Death
• Cause of death is the event that leads to the
loss of life
– Victim may have died of asphyxiation as the result of
inhaling carbon monoxide, but the cause of death was
the fire
• Asphyxiation was the mechanism of death
– Manner of death relates to how entire event was
created
• Could be a homicide, suicide, accidental, or natural
– May not be sufficient evidence
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

14. Delivering the News: Death
Notification
• Most frequently, the police can assist in
delivering the news of the loss of a loved one,
even from a fire
– In some departments, when it is a fire fatality, the fire
department is assigned this task in order to answer
any questions from loved ones
• Task of death notification should never be taken
on alone
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

15. Delivering the News: Death
Notification (cont’d.)
• Rules to follow
– Be honest in the delivery, without false platitudes
– Words have to be chosen carefully because they will
be remembered for a lifetime
– Family needs to know the facts as known about the
incident
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning

16. Summary
• There needs to be a thorough examination of
the body, the area surrounding the body, and
the room in which the body is found
• The investigator must have a keen eye and the
persistence to go over each and every piece of
debris
• The medical examiner should be able to provide
the identification of the victim as well as the
cause, manner, and mechanism of death
© 2009 Delmar, Cengage Learning