Elements and Performance Criteria
- Coordinate mobile fire investigation
- Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and support personnel involved in a mobile property fire investigation are confirmed
- Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the investigation consistent with designated roles and responsibilities is achieved
- Information required by a 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
- 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, 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 reviewed to determine areas of interest and to record observation which may have a bearing on origin, cause or development of the fire
- Burn patterns and effects of fire suppression are identified and assessed
- Areas or items of evidence that have a potential bearing on origin, cause or development of the fire are identified
- Effects of construction and other factors on fire development and spread are identified
- Nature, combustibility and reactivity of materials involved in fire cause are identified and indicators of fire spread, in conjunction with other sources of evidence, are confirmed
- Effects of environmental conditions are assessed
- Effects of topographical conditions are assessed
- Witness information is obtained in accordance with the rules of evidence and agency requirements
- Significance of evidence observed is assessed and prioritised for further review
- Origin and cause determination options are assessed
- Evidence to indicate or exclude a particular cause of fire is assessed
- Area/likely point of origin and possible causes of fire are determined
- 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
- Continuity of collected exhibits is maintained
- Evidence from a fire scene is analysed and processed using a range of recording and technological media
- Product recall and material safety data sheet databases are researched, as appropriate
- 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