1. 476.210 Investigation of fires
by municipal officers and
constables; reports;
exemption. (1) The municipal fire marshals, fire
department chiefs, constables and other officers referred to in
ORS 476.060 shall investigate the cause, origin and
circumstances of each fire occurring in their respective cities,
villages or townships, by which property has been destroyed or
damaged, and shall make an investigation to determine whether
the fire was the result of carelessness or design. The investigation
shall be commenced immediately after the occurrence of the fire.

2. Evidence Mutilation Technician

4. Essentials of Fire Fighting,
5th Edition
Chapter 18 — Protecting Fire Scene Evidence
Firefighter I

5. OBJECTIVES
After completing this lesson, the student shall be
able to identify indicators of an incendiary fire and
protect and preserve evidence after a fire following
the policies and procedures set forth by the
authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).

6. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
1. Describe signs and indications of an incendiary fire.
2. Summarize important observations to be made en
route, after arriving at the scene, and during fire
fighting operations.
3. Discuss firefighter conduct and statements at the
scene.

7. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
4. Explain firefighter responsibilities after the fire.
5. Discuss protecting and preserving evidence.

8. DETERMINING CAUSE
 In most jurisdictions the fire chief has the legal
responsibility for determining the cause and origin of a
fire.
 Delegates this authority to the fire officers and
firefighters at the scene - Are you experienced enough
to make the determination –
 Remember your finding may go to court if in doubt get
help – when should you get assistance in determining
the fire cause

9. Hermiston Policy on Fire Investigations
 There has been a death or injury related to the fire
 There appears to have been criminal acts associated
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with the fire (incendiary fires, chain of dumpster fires)
The fire caused a loss of high dollar value - $10,000 or
more
There is not a clear and believable explanation for how
the fire started
A request is made for utility companies to respond to
the scene (utilities were shut off)
Flames or heavy smoke are showing from a structure

10. Hermiston Policy on Fire Investigations
 You are unable to clearly determine the cause of a vehicle
fire
 There are suspicious circumstances pertaining to the fire
 When in doubt about whether an investigator is needed,
call the investigator and explain the circumstances. The
investigator will determine whether an investigation
response is necessary.
 If no fire investigator is available it will be the Senior Fire
Officer’s responsibility to determine the fire cause and to
thoroughly document the fire cause investigation.

11. Most important thing a firefighter
can do is OBSERVE
 Observations enroute
 Weather
 Time of day, –
 Barriers
 People leaving the scene
 Does your department make you fill out a Fire Story
 Remember you could have to go to court on this fire –
 How good is your memory

12. Fire story
 **Please relate only your observations. Strategy and
tactics are not required for this form.
 Use this form for all fire calls when asked by the Fire
Marshal for a fire story. Each firefighter responding to
the fire must individually fill out a form.
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ALARM #, DATE, TIME
Engine #
ADDRESS, WEATHER CONDITIONS
NAME , POSITION
 What was involved in fire and what percentage of the
structure/vehicle/area was involved?

13. Fire story
 Was the fire continuous or did there appear to be
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more than one actual fire?
Did the fire react normally when water was
applied?
What color were the flames?
How high were the flames?
Was the smoke colored?
Were there any odd odors?

14. Fire Story
 How was entry made?
 Were the doors locked?
 Were the doors opened/closed?
 Windows? Open Closed Broken Boarded
 If necessary, identify individual door and window
conditions?
 Were there familiar faces or unusually helpful
civilians in the area?

15. Fire Story
 Were the owners or occupants present? What was
their appearance and demeanor?
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?
 People leaving the scene, barriers once on scene, contents of the room,
containers or cans, burglary tools
 PLACE IN THE FIRE MARSHAL’S IN BASKET,
WHEN FINISHED

16. Observations During The Fire
 Incendiary devices
 Trailers
 Structural alterations
 Fire patterns
What would you do if you saw this?

17. Observations During Fire
Fighting Operations
 Heat intensity
 - what would this mean - NOTHING
 Availability of documents
 Fire detection
 protection systems
 Intrusion alarms
 Location of fire

18. Observations During Fire Fighting
Operations
 Personal possessions
 Household items
 Equipment or inventory
 Business records
 Note – do not touch

19. Conduct and Statements at the
Scene
 It’s not your job – put the fire out, keep your mouth
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shut and OBSERVE –
If the owner or occupant wants to talk send them to
the fire officer or investigator
Fire Investigators Interview – Police Interrogate
What is the difference
Keep your opinions to the fire to yourself – I talk to the
Incident Commander – If you have an observation or
did something I want to know

20. Conduct and Statements at the
Scene
 Public statement regarding fire cause should be made
only after
 The investigator and ranking fire officer have agreed to
its accuracy and validity
 Until the investigation has been completed its under
investigation– no fire is suspicious or suspected arson,
 Classification of cause must be
accidental, incendiary, natural or undetermined
 Investigator or Fire Officer speaks to the media

21. Responsibilities After the Fire
 Firefighters should report their observations to their
supervisor
 Firefighters should not discuss their observations with
other crew members, families or friends – I do not
want to hear how the fire started from the press or at a
store

22. Responsibilities After the Fire
 Improperly done overhaul operations can be
detrimental to the investigation
 Put the fire out
 Clear the smoke
 Get an investigator to look at the fire scene
 Do not remove anything from the fire until given
permission from the fire investigator

23. Securing the Fire Scene
 Fire department has the authority to deny access to
any building
 During fire fighting operations
 For a reasonable length of time after fire suppression is
terminated
 Maintain custody till fire investigators arrive
 Get a Permission to Investigate signed as soon as
possible
 Why must we maintain custody of the scene

24. Protecting and Preserving Evidence
 Protect evidence by keeping it untouched and
undisturbed until an investigator arrives
 Do not gather or handle evidence unless it is
absolutely necessary in order to preserve it
 Note if you handled evidence – chain of custody
 If you must move evidence- try to take photos and
write in the fire story on why you moved it

25. Protecting and Preserving Evidence
 Firefighters must avoid trampling over possible
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evidence and obliterating it
The same precaution applied to the excessive use of
water may help avoid similar unsatisfactory results
Do not remove anything that you do not have to
Human footprints and tire marks must be protected
Protect completely or partially burned papers found in
a furnace, stove, or fireplace by immediately closing
dampers and other openings
Leave charred documents found in containers

26. After Evidence Has Been Collected
 After evidence has been properly collected by an
investigator, debris may be removed - ask the
investigator what is ok to remove
 Remove charred materials to prevent the possibility of
rekindle and to help reduce smoke damage

27. Summary
 Your job is to observe
 It is a firefighter ‘s responsibilities is to avoid
disturbing or destroying evidence while fighting the
fire and after. In the area of origin appropriate caution
must be used when spraying water, moving debris, and
even walking around.
 Once the fire is out if possible get an investigator in
there to determine where and what to overhaul
 Firefighters should not determine cause
 No statements to anyone about the fire

28. Sales Pitch for OTFIT
 Oregon Trails Fire Investigation Team
 Fire Investigators from Pendleton, Boardman,
Hermiston, State Fire Marshal, Oregon State Police
 Always Get a Permission to Investigate
 Secure Fire Scene
 If you have any doubts call for assistance from OTFIT

29. Review Questions
1.What observations should be made en route?
2.What observations should be made upon arrival?
3.What observations should be made during firefighting
operations?
4.What actions should firefighters take after a fire?
5.Why is protecting evidence important?