Evidence Collection in Fire Scenery
In a team of fire investigators, my role is to collect all evidences of fire disaster that will lead to a sound conclusion about the possible causes, spread and growth of the fire at the site. Specifically, my role is to collect and records all evidences at the site, and not making any conclusion (Dietz, 2001). The investigation will take place using the backward theory, where the investigator will conduct the research from the exterior to the interior, as well as from the least damaged to the heavily damaged areas (Seidel, 2001).
The first step will be to establish authority over the incidence as soon as possible and before any other activity takes place. All normal operations by other agencies will be halted or explained and arranged. This is mainly to avoid any delay on the process of fire investigation because the evidence should be as fresh as possible if a sound conclusion is to be derived from the evidence. The investigation will take place using the backward theory, where the investigator will conduct the research from the exterior to the interior, as well as from the least damaged to the heavily damaged areas (Seidel, 2001). . The investigators will then look for all possible information from the incidence commanders at the site regarding any fire suppression activities that might have taken place. The companies that took place will be asked some questions during the investigation (Dietz, 2001). This is to describe the incidence; including the odors produced during the fire, the color of the flames and nature of spreading and growth of the fire including the direction. The fire fighters should be asked about the methodology they used to suppress the fire, including the use of water and from which direction they suppressed the fire.
The time of fire breaking, as well as the time it took place to be suppressed to destroy the property will be established through investigation of any witnesses, fire fighters and all gadgets at the site.
The investigator will attempt to establish the extent of the fire by simply looking at the extent of damage to the property. In addition, the color and odor of the remnants of the property damaged by fire will be recorded. If the fire is still in progress, the investigator will determine the color and odor of the flames as well as any sound heard during the fire. The characteristic of the smoke, including its color, form and odor will be established (Dietz, 2001).
Apart from the nature of fire and smoke, the investigator will attempt to establish the presence of items at the site. All items found at the site will be established. The items, or their remnants, could be things such as explosives, electrical gadgets, electrical wires, and household items, human and animal bodies (Dietz, 2001).
References
Dietz, W.E. (2001). Physical Evidence of Arson: Its Recognition, Collection, and Packaging. Fire and Arson Investigator, 41(4): 35
Seidel, E. (2001). Arson Incident Command: Fire Engineering. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association.
