Fire Origin & Cause Investigations

Question 0

What are the THREE BASIC CAUSES OF FIRE?

Answer 0

• Natural
• Accidental
• Incendiary

Question 1

What is the TFD Investigator Call Out Criteria?

Answer 1

1. Suspicious, or incendiary or explosion where you have and identifiable suspect.
2. Suspicious or incendiary fire loss > $1000.00
3. Fire or explosion, any cause, with death.
4. Fire or explosion, any cause, where person needs emergency treatment.
5. Fire or explosion, any cause, where loss is > $10,000.00
6. Regardless of cause, any vehicle or structure fire or explosion where the act or omission of the incident cannot be determined.

Question 2

What are some natural causes of fire?

Answer 2

– Lightning / Sunlight
– Extreme Weather Conditions
– Spontaneous Combustion

Question 3

What are some accidental causes of fire?

Answer 3

(does not involve a deliberate act to ignite or spread fire into an area where the fire should not be)
– Mechanical / Electrical Malfunctions
– Carelessness
– Stupidity

Question 4

What is an incendiary fire?

Answer 4

(leads to the crime of arson)
– A fire that has been deliberately ignited under circumstances in which the person knows the fire should not be ignited
– You can not have an incendiary fire if you can not eliminate ALL accidental causes

Question 5

When trying to preserve evidence at a fire scene should you move controls, change the position of switches, etc?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

What is the fire investigator responsibility?

Answer 6

-To determine the true and accurate origin of the fire
-To determine the true and accurate cause of the fire
And only in that order…

Question 7

Fire suppression forces have four functions with respect to fire investigation on the scene what are they?

Answer 7

Observation
Recognition
Preservation
Notification