Elements and Performance Criteria
- Coordinate structure fire investigation
- Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and supportpersonnel involved in a structure fire investigation are confirmed
- Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the investigation consistent with designated roles and responsibilities for a structure fire investigation is achieved
- Information required by fire investigator from multi-agency personnel is identified, sought and received
- Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures
- Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the incident are followed
- Secure fire scene and preserve evidence
- Legal obligations of fire scene investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation
- Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented
- Procedures to monitor and log access to a fire scene are established and applied, as required
- Strategies for locating, collecting and processing evidence are implemented
- Methods of preservation of evidence at a fire scene are implemented
- Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, spoliation, destruction or contamination
- Conduct scene investigation
- External and internal survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and action is taken to mitigate risk
- Scene is examined externally and internally to determine areas of interest and to record observation of factors which may have a bearing on the origin, cause or development of a structure fire
- Areas or items of evidence that have a potential bearing on the origin, cause or development of a structure fire are identified
- Effect of building construction and other factors relevant to fire development and spread are identified
- Nature and reactivity of materials involved in fire cause are identified
- Site indicators of fire spread with other sources of evidence are examined
- Witness and firefighter information is obtained in accordance with the rules of evidence
- Significance of evidence is assessed and prioritised for further review
- Burn patterns and effects of fire suppression are identified and assessed
- Area/likely point of origin and possible cause of structure fire are determined
- Origin and cause determination theories are assessed and tested
- Collect and analyse evidence from a fire scene
- Appropriate sampling areas and items are identified using required sampling equipment and resources
- Appropriate collection techniques are applied eliminating contamination and loss of evidence
- Best available samples and items including control samples are collected
- Appropriate collection and packaging techniques are adopted
- Potential for destruction (spoliation) and contamination of evidence is eliminated
- Integrity and continuity of collected exhibits is maintained
- Evidence from fire scene is analysed and processed using a range of recording and technological media
- Witness accounts are reviewed against theories
- Findings are reported and documented according to required practice and agency policy
- Evidence is secured for subsequent action
- Investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders