NCJ Number
81202
Date Published
1981
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Procedures to be followed and facts to be ascertained by firefighters that will aid in arson investigations are discussed.
Abstract
The behavior and observations of firefighters who arrive first at a fire are crucial in obtaining the evidence necessary to determine if arson has been committed and who the arsonist may be. Arson investigators, who generally arrive at the scene relatively late, can be greatly helped by firefighters who have been trained to assist in arson investigations. Some of the facts that should be recorded by firefighters upon arriving at a fire are whether the doors and windows are open or locked, the location of the main fire area, the color of the smoke and flames, the degree of difficulty in extinguishing the flames, and the names and addresses of bystanders at the scene. It is particularly important that the fire scene be secured as quickly as possible to prevent the contamination or destruction of evidence by untrained personnel or citizens. Generally, firefighters should not handle any evidence, but when circumstances force firefighters to remove evidence from the scene, steps should be taken to ensure that contamination of the evidence does not occur. Photographs of the evidence in its surroundings should be taken and notation made of the date, time, and description of what is seized. Evidence should be handled so as not to disturb any latent prints and put in a clean unused container. The evidence should be placed where it cannot be contaminated and records of every transference should be kept. Five footnotes and five bibliographic listings are provided.