ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Coordinate mobile fire investigation

1.1 Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and support personnel involved in a mobile property fire investigation are confirmed

1.2 Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the investigation consistent with designated roles and responsibilities is achieved

1.3 Information required by a fire investigator from multi-agency personnel is identified, sought and received

1.4 Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures

1.5 Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the incident are followed

2. Secure fire scene and preserve evidence

2.1 Legal obligations of fire scene 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 fire 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 fire scene are implemented

2.6 Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, destruction or contamination

3. Conduct scene investigation

3.1 External and internal survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and action is taken to mitigate risk

3.2 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

3.3 Burn patterns and effects of fire suppression are identified and assessed

3.4 Areas or items of evidence that have a potential bearing on origin, cause or development of the fire are identified

3.5 Effects of construction and other factors on fire development and spread are identified

3.6 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

3.7 Effects of environmental conditions are assessed

3.8 Effects of topographical conditions are assessed

3.9 Witness information is obtained in accordance with the rules of evidence and agency requirements

3.10 Significance of evidence observed is assessed and prioritised for further review

3.11 Origin and cause determination options are assessed

3.12 Evidence to indicate or exclude a particular cause of fire is assessed

3.13 Area/likely point of origin and possible causes of fire are determined

4. Collect and analyse evidence from a fire scene

4.1 Appropriate sampling areas and items are identified using required sampling equipment and resources

4.2 Appropriate collection techniques are applied eliminating contamination and loss of evidence

4.3 Best available samples and items including control samples are collected

4.4 Continuity of collected exhibits is maintained

4.5 Evidence from a fire scene is analysed and processed using a range of recording and technological media

4.6 Product recall and material safety data sheet databases are researched, as appropriate

4.7 Findings are reported and documented according to required practice and agency policy

4.8 Evidence is secured for subsequent action

4.9 Investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

apply methods and techniques to identify, document, collect, handle, transport and store evidence

apply scientific method to mobile property investigation

assess and investigate a scene externally and internally

clearly articulate and justify findings

collect and handle exhibits and items of interest

conduct witness interviews

identify potential hazards

identify potential ignition sources and follow processes for elimination of cause

interpret fire indicators

interpret fire scene

maintain scene security log

manage fire scene examination

package and preserve evidence to avoid damage (spoliation) or contamination

present evidence

present findings

record information appropriately and accurately

record scene and photographs

take notes to support the recording of information

take photographs with written explanations

take videos with narrative and explanations

write reports

Required Knowledge

common causes of fire (accidental, chemical, electrical, incendiary, natural, negligence, mechanical)

local/state/territory court requirements for investigations and recording of findings

methods, techniques and equipment for handling and storing evidence to preserve and avoid damage or contamination

OHS legislation and its application

packaging, labelling and storing evidence for transport

potential ignition sources, their identification and process of elimination

principles of investigation based on scientific method

relevant Australian Standards and international standards

rules of evidence

safety precautions required for mobile fire investigations

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

apply safe work practices at a fire scene

collect and maximise the potential evidentiary value of physical evidence

identify area/point of origin and possible cause of fire

apply evidence and forensic scientific principles to assess possible area/point of origin and causes.

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 causes 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.

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.

Agencies may include:

Coroner

Electrical authorities

Forensic scientists

Gas authorities

Insurance investigators and assessors

Other statutory authorities

Peak bodies

Support personnel may include:

Government and private forensic chemists

Insurance investigators and assessors and construction companies

Statutory bodies

Technical specialists

Mobile property fire incidents may include:

Aircraft

Caravan and campervan fires

Farm machinery

Marine craft

Motor vehicle fires

Trains/trams

Truck and bus fires

Causes of fire may include:

Chemical reaction

Electrical wiring

Engine fire

Fuel line and systems

Fuel types/mixtures

Incendiary devices (commercial, manufactured devices for other purposes, home-made, industrial, military)

Mechanical failure/damage

Transmission fire

Witnesses may include:

Emergency services personnel

Members of statutory agencies

Members of the public

Owners/occupants

Origin and cause determination must include:

Analysing

Identification of origin

Interpretation

Processing

Vehicle indicators:

accidental

arcing

arson

friction

heating from conduction, convection and radiation

impact damage

incipient

manufacturing faults

melt rates

overload

oxidation of metal

paint work

radial

repair faults

spring compression

vapour explosion

Sampling equipment and resources may include:

Accelerant detecting canine

Field-based sampling devices e.g. photo ionisation detectors

Appropriate collection techniques may include:

Mobile property relocation to workshop for further analysis (car carriers, marine salvage, low loaders)

Preservation of evidence

Search techniques

Security of environment

Recording and technological media may include:

Audio

Computers

Log books

Note taking

Photography (digital, multimedia, closed circuit television [CCTV], other media images)

Sketches

Video