Application
Application of this unit is relevant to wildfire fire investigators who are required to determine the origin and cause of a wildfire.
The unit focuses on the skills and knowledge required to develop and apply a systematic approach to fire investigation in a wildfire context.
Prerequisites
PUAFIR303B Suppress wildfire (Fire sector specific)
PUALAW001B Protect and preserve incident scene (Fire sector specific)
PUALAW002B Conduct initial investigation at incident scene (Fire sector specific)
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Coordinate wildfire investigation | 1.1 Roles and responsibilities of supportpersonnel from the various agencies in a wildfire investigation are confirmed 1.2 Cooperation of personnel from a range of agencies consistent with their designated roles and responsibilities for a wildfire investigation is achieved 1.3 Information required by fire investigator from personnel from other agencies is identified, sought and received 1.4 Activities of all personnel involved are coordinated to enable an efficient and effective investigation 1.5 Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures 1.6 Occupational health and safety procedures appropriate to the incident are followed |
2. Secure fire scene and preserve evidence | 2.1 Legal obligations of fire investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation 2.2 Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented 2.3 Procedures to monitor and log access to a wildfire scene are established and applied 2.4 Strategies for locating, collecting and processing evidence are implemented 2.5 Methods of preservation of evidence at a wildfire scene are implemented 2.6 Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, destruction or contamination |
3. Conduct scene investigation | 3.1 Investigation activities are coordinated with the Incident Controller, when active fire management operations are still occurring in relation to the incident 3.2 Fire incident information, data and records are collected and assessed 3.3 Witness information and other related information is obtained in accordance with jurisdictional requirements 3.4 Survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and to preserve areas or items of evidential value 3.5 Effect of fuels, weather and topography on wildfire development and spread are identified 3.6 Effects of firefighting actions on fire scene and investigation are assessed 3.7 Scene is reviewed to determine areas of interest and to record observation of factors which may have a bearing on the determination of the origin, cause or development of a wildfire 3.8 Physical indicators relating to the path of fire travel or development of the wildfire are identified, assessed and recorded 3.9 Indicators of damage or destruction of assets caused by wildfire are identified 3.10 Origin and cause determination options are developed and assessed using a scientific method 3.11 Cause of the fire, based on recognised cause categories, is determined by wildfire investigation |
4. Identify and collect evidence to investigate a wildfire | 4.1 Control, comparison and residual samples are identified and extracted according to agency requirements 4.2 Samples are protected to avoid contamination and to ensure continuity of evidence 4.3 Samples are recorded, collected packaged and secured in accordance with continuity of evidence protocols and procedures 4.4 Procedures for capturing fire scene records are implemented 4.5 Forensic and physical evidence is interpreted 4.6 Agency and legal reports and requirements are implemented |
5. Analyse information to determine origin and cause of fire | 5.1 Collected information and evidence is analysed and interpreted 5.2 Findings are reported and documented according to required practice and agency policy 5.3 Evidence is secured for subsequent action 5.4 Wildfire investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
apply methods and techniques to collect, handle and store evidence apply scientific method to wildfire investigation conduct a scene assessment conduct witness interviews identify, document and preserve physical evidence identify potential ignition sources and follow processes for elimination of cause package, label and store evidence for transport present evidence preserve evidence to avoid damage (spoliation) or contamination record information appropriately and accurately take notes to support the recording of information use equipment to collect, handle and store evidence write reports |
Required Knowledge |
common causes of wildfire: camp fire debris burning electrical equipment use incendiary juvenile lightning machinery miscellaneous power lines rail smoking vehicles deliberate fire lighting motives and methodology determinants of fire cause evidence preservation fatal fire and crime scene management fire behaviour fire scene examination how to distinguish between accidental, negligent, deliberate and natural cause of fire how to optimise eye witness accounts from professional witnesses such as first responders implications of insurance involvement indicators of fire cause indicators of fire spread interviewing protocols and their application legal definitions of interviews and statements matching of evidence to point of proof and offence provisions methods for recording documentary and witness evidence, and their application note taking processes and procedures principles of investigation based on scientific method principles of wildfire spread procedures for collection of physical evidence i.e. handling and packaging procedures for recording of physical evidence i.e. photographs, drawings, samples relevant legislation such as the Fire Service Act, Coroner’s Act, Criminal Code and Evidence Act role of expert witnesses roles, responsibilities and limits of authority of personnel and agencies at a wildfire investigation rules of evidence including identification, collection, continuity, and admissibility scene preservation and security standard operating procedures for conducting investigations use of deductive evidence to determine point of origin |
Evidence Required
Critical aspects of assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Assessment must confirm the ability to: identify area/point of origin and suspected cause of fire apply relevant laws, legislation, codes of practice and standards to fire investigation apply a systematic approach to the examination of wildfire scenes based on scientific method interpret and analyse forensic data and physical evidence conduct interviews appropriately and accurately record information. Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace and/or simulated situations. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Context of assessment Competency should be assessed in the workplace and in a simulated workplace environment. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to: legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to gathering and managing evidence case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of offences likely to occur for which evidence needs to be gathered and managed. |
Guidance information for assessment | Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of: case studies demonstration observation questioning scenarios authenticated evidence from the workplace. |
Range Statement
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. | |
Support personnel may include: | Government and private forensic chemists Insurance investigators and assessors Statutory bodies Technical specialists (e.g. fire behaviour, meteorological experts) |
Agencies may include: | Coronial services Electrical authorities Fire services Gas authorities Insurance investigators and assessors Land management agencies Other statutory authorities Police State/territory forensic services |
Evidence collection may include: | Admissibility Collection and preservation Continuity Identification |
Witnesses may include: | Emergency services personnel Members of statutory agencies Members of the public Property owners/occupants |
Origin and cause determination must include: | Burn indicators: advancing/head fire backing/heel fire lateral/flanking fire grass stem indicators protection indicators transition zone damage differential indicators foliage/leaf freeze indicators angle of char indicators depth of char indicators ash indicators cupping indicators curling indicators die-out pattern indicators sooting indicators staining indicators V-Pattern indicators Identification of ignition sources Scene observation and interpretation Scene processing Wildfire behaviour factors (weather, fuel load and topography) Wildfire spread |
Fire scene records may include: | Audio Maps Meteorological records Notes Photography (thermal, digital, multimedia, closed circuit television [CCTV], other media images) Sketches and plans |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.