Research Report

U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

National Institute of Justice

Fire and Arson

Scene Evidence:

A Guide for Public

Safety Personnel

Fire and Arson

Scene Evidence:
U.S. Department of Justice

Office of Justice Programs

810 Seventh Street N.W.

Washington, DC 20531

Janet Reno

Attorney General

Daniel Marcus

Acting Associate Attorney General

Mary Lou Leary

Acting Assistant Attorney General

Julie E. Samuels

Acting Director, National Institute of Justice

Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice

World Wide Web Site World Wide Web Site 

http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij
Written and Approved by the Technical Working Group on

Fire/Arson Scene Investigation

June 2000

NCJ 181584

A Guide for Public Safety Personnel

Fire and Arson Scene Evidence:
Julie E. Samuels

Acting Director

David G. Boyd, Ph.D.

Deputy Director

Richard M. Rau, Ph.D.

Project Monitor

Opinions or points of view expressed in this document represent a

consensus of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official

position of the U.S. Department of Justice.

The National Institute of Justice is a component of the Office of

Justice Programs, which also includes the Bureau of Justice Assistance,

the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the Office of Juvenile Justice and

Delinquency Prevention, and the Office for Victims of Crime.
iii

Actions taken at the outset of an investigation at a fire and

arson scene can play a pivotal role in the resolution of a case.

Careful, thorough investigation is key to ensuring that potential

physical evidence is not tainted or destroyed or potential witnesses

overlooked.

While many agencies have programs in fire and arson scene

processing, the level of training and resources available varies from

jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as does the opportunity to practice actual

investigation. To assist these agencies, the National Institute of Justice

convened a group of law enforcement and legal practitioners, as well

as expert fire investigators, to develop improved procedures for the

investigation and collection of evidence from fire and arson scenes.

I commend the hard work of the 31 members of the technical working

group that created this Guide. They represent the law enforcement,

prosecution, defense, and fire and arson investigation communities,

and their collective expert knowledge, experience, and dedication

made this effort a success.

This Guide is one method of promoting quality fire and arson scene

investigation. The type and scope of an investigation will vary from

case to case. Every jurisdiction should give careful consideration to the

recommendations in this Guide and to its own unique local conditions

and logistical circumstances. Although factors that vary among investigations may call for different approaches or even preclude the use of

certain procedures described in the Guide, consideration of the Guide’s

recommendations may be invaluable to a jurisdiction shaping its own

protocols.

Janet Reno

Message From the Attorney General
v

Message From the President of the University of

Central Florida

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is proud to take a leading

role in the investigation of fire and explosion scenes through the

establishment of the National Center for Forensic Science (NCFS). The

work of the Center’s faculty, staff, and students, in cooperation with the

National Institute of Justice (NIJ), has helped produce the NIJ Research

Report Fire and Arson Scene Evidence: A Guide for Public Safety

Personnel.

More than 150 graduates of UCF’s 25-year-old program in forensic

science are now working in crime laboratories across the country. Our

program enjoys an ongoing partnership with NIJ to increase knowledge

and awareness of fire and explosion scene investigation. We anticipate

that this type of mutually beneficial partnership between the university,

the criminal justice system, and private industry will become even more

prevalent in the future.

As the authors of the Guide indicate, the field of fire and explosion

investigation lacks nationally coordinated investigative protocols. NCFS

recognizes the need for this coordination. The Center maintains and

updates its training criteria and tools so that it may serve as a national

resource for public safety personnel who may encounter a fire or explosion scene in the line of duty.

I encourage interested and concerned public safety personnel to use Fire

and Arson Scene Evidence: A Guide for Public Safety Personnel. The

procedures recommended in the Guide can help to ensure that more

investigations are successfully concluded through the proper identification, collection, and examination of all relevant forensic evidence.

Dr. John C. Hitt
vii

Technical Working Group on Fire/Arson Scene

Investigation

The Technical Working Group on Fire/Arson Scene Investigation

(TWGFASI) is a multidisciplinary group of content area experts

from across the United States and Canada, from both urban and rural

jurisdictions, each representing his or her respective agency or practice.

Each of these individuals is experienced in the investigation of fires,

the analysis of evidence gathered, or the use in the criminal justice

system of information produced by the investigation. They represent

such entities as fire departments, law enforcement agencies, forensic

laboratories, insurance companies, investigation firms, and government

agencies. Many of the members of TWGFASI were selected from the

Technical Working Group on Fires and Explosions (TWGFEX), which

serves as an advisory panel to the National Center for Forensic Science

(NCFS).

At the outset of the TWGFEX effort, the National Institute of Justice

(NIJ) and NCFS created the National Fire/Arson Scene Planning Panel

(the Panel), which evolved into TWGFASI—composed of distinguished

law enforcement and research professionals—to define needs, develop

initial strategies, and steer the larger group. Additional members of

TWGFASI were then selected from recommendations solicited from the

Panel, NIJ’s regional National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Centers, and national agencies and organizations, such as the

National Fire Protection Association, the National Association of Fire

Investigators, and the U.S. Fire Administration.

Collectively, over a 2-year period, the 31 members of TWGFASI listed

on the following page worked together to develop this Guide, Fire and

Arson Scene Evidence: A Guide for Public Safety Personnel.
viii

Joan K. Alexander

Office of the Chief State’s

Attorney

Rocky Hill, Connecticut

Carl Chasteen

Florida Division of State

Fire Marshal

Havana, Florida

Richard L.P. Custer

Custer Powell, Inc.

Westborough, Massachusetts

John D. DeHaan, Ph.D.*

Fire-Ex Forensics, Inc.

Vallejo, California

Brian M. Dixon*

Centre of Forensic Sciences

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ronald L. Kelly*

Federal Bureau of

Investigation

Washington, D.C.

John J. Lentini

Applied Technical Services, Inc.

Marietta, Georgia

Frank Malter

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco

and Firearms

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Thomas E. Minnich

U.S. Fire Administration

Emmitsburg, Maryland

Anthony D. Putorti

National Institute of Standards

and Technology

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Dennis W. Smith*

Kodiak Enterprises

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Philip R. Antoci

New York City Police

Laboratory

Jamaica, New York

Andrew T. Armstrong, Ph.D.,

FABC, CPC

Armstrong Forensic

Laboratory, Inc.

Arlington, Texas

Russell K. Chandler

Virginia Fire Marshal

Academy

Richmond, Virginia

James B. Crippin

Colorado Bureau of

Investigation

Pueblo, Colorado

Lynne DeMent

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco

and Firearms

Washington, D.C.

Dirk D. Erickson

Mississippi Crime Laboratory

Jackson, Mississippi

John F. Goetz

Royal Insurance Company

Yardley, Pennsylvania

Terry-Dawn Hewitt

McKenna Hewitt

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Steven Hill

U.S. Fire Administration

Emmitsburg, Maryland

Mary R. Holt

Alabama Department of

Forensic Sciences

Birmingham, Alabama

David J. Icove, Ph.D., P.E.

U.S. Tennessee Valley

Authority Police

Knoxville, Tennessee

Christopher E. Jones

Binax/NEL

Waterville, Maine

Carter K. Lord

National Institute of Standards

and Technology

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Kevin L. Lothridge

National Forensic Science

Technology Center

St. Petersburg, Florida

Tommy K. Martin

Illinois State Police

Springfield, Illinois

Ron McCardle

Florida Division of State

Fire Marshal

Tallahassee, Florida

Cpl. Michael O’Day

Pennsylvania State Police

Fire Marshal Section

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

David M. Smith

Associated Fire Consultants, Inc.

Tucson, Arizona

Valerie Turner

State Fire Marshal’s Office

Texas Department of

Insurance

Austin, Texas

Carrie M. Whitcomb

National Center for Forensic

Science

Orlando, Florida

* These individuals served as

editors during the document

development process.

National Fire/Arson Scene Planning Panel of TWGFASI

TWGFASI Members
ix

Preface

I

t is the intention of this Guide to acquaint a broad spectrum of public

safety personnel with the fire investigation process, so they may

understand their role in this important task and help identify, locate, and

preserve evidence in its varied forms, to either assist a specialist investigator when one is needed or to adequately document and collect evidence

when no assistance is needed or available. This Guide focuses on the

documentation and collection of physical evidence at fire/arson scenes.

Other issues of investigation—such as insurance inquiries, background

information, fire deaths, the interpretation of fire dynamics and physical

evidence, and case analysis and profiling—are not addressed in this

document.

Not every portion of this document may be applicable to all fires. It is at

the discretion of responding personnel (depending on their responsibilities,

as well as the purpose and scope of their duties) to apply the procedures

recommended in this Guide to a particular incident. Some of the procedures described in this Guide may not be performed in the sequence

described or may be performed simultaneously.
xi

Acknowledgments

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) wishes to thank the members

of the Technical Working Group on Fire/Arson Scene Investigation

(TWGFASI) for their extensive efforts on this project and their dedication to improving the procedures for fire/arson scene investigation. Each

of the 31 experts gave their time and expertise to draft and review this

Guide, providing feedback and perspective from a variety of disciplines

and from many areas of the Nation. The true strength of this Guide is

derived from their commitment to produce procedures that could be

implemented across the country, from rural townships to large cities.

In addition, thanks are extended to the agencies and organizations that

TWGFASI members represent for their flexibility and support, which

enabled the participants to see this project to completion.

NIJ is immensely grateful to the National Center for Forensic Science

(NCFS) at the University of Central Florida, particularly Director Carrie

Whitcomb and Project Coordinator Joan Jarvis, for its coordination

of the TWGFASI effort. NCFS’s support in planning and hosting the

Technical Working Group meetings, as well as the support of the staff

in developing the Guide, made this work possible.

NIJ is grateful to the individuals from various national organizations

who responded to the request for nominations of experts in the field of

fire/arson scene investigation. TWGFASI members were selected from

their recommendations. In particular, thanks go to the American Society

of Crime Laboratory Directors, the National District Attorneys Association, the International Association of Arson Investigators, and the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators. Additionally, thanks are extended to the individuals, agencies, and organizations

across the country that participated in the review of this Guide and

provided valuable comments and input. While all review comments
xii

were given careful consideration by TWGFASI in developing the final

document, the review by these organizations is not intended to imply

their endorsement of the Guide.

NIJ would like to thank the co-manager for this project, Kathleen

Higgins, for her advice and significant contributions to the development

of the Guide.

Special thanks go to former NIJ Director Jeremy Travis for his support

and guidance and to Lisa Forman, Lisa Kaas, and Anjali Swienton for

their contributions to the Technical Working Group program. Thanks

also go to Rita Premo of Aspen Systems Corporation, for her tireless

work editing and re-editing the various drafts of the Guide.

Finally, NIJ would like to acknowledge Attorney General Janet Reno,

whose support and commitment to the improvement of the criminal

justice system made this work possible.
xiii

Message From the Attorney General .............................................................. iii

Message From the President of the University of Central Florida ................ v

Technical Working Group on Fire/Arson Scene Investigation .................... vii

Preface ................................................................................................................ix

Acknowledgments ..............................................................................................xi

Introduction ........................................................................................................ 1

Why Investigate Fires? ............................................................................. 1

The Fire Problem in the United States ..................................................... 2

The Problem of Fire Investigations .......................................................... 3

Then Who Investigates Fires?................................................................... 5

Why This Guide?...................................................................................... 6

Training Criteria ....................................................................................... 7

Background............................................................................................... 7

Fire and Arson Scene Evidence: A Guide for Public Safety Personnel ....... 11

Section A. Establishing the Role of First Responders ....................... 13

1. Observe the Fire and Scene Conditions.................................... 13

2. Exercise Scene Safety ............................................................... 14

3. Preserve the Fire Scene............................................................. 16

4. Establish Security and Control ................................................. 19

5. Coordinate Activities ................................................................ 19

Section B. Evaluating the Scene .......................................................... 21

1. Introduce Yourself and Your Role as the Investigator ............... 21

2. Define the Extent of the Scene.................................................. 22

3. Identify and Interview Witnesses at the Scene.......................... 23

Contents
xiv

4. Assess Scene Security at the Time of the Fire .......................... 24

5. Identify Resources Required to Process the Scene ................... 25

Section C. Documenting the Scene ...................................................... 29

1. Photograph/Videotape the Scene .............................................. 29

2. Describe and Document the Scene ........................................... 30

Section D. Processing Evidence at the Scene ...................................... 31

1. Identify, Collect, and Preserve Evidence .................................. 31

2. Prevent Contamination .............................................................. 32

3. Package and Transport Evidence .............................................. 33

4. Establish and Maintain the Chain of Custody........................... 34

Section E. Completing the Scene Investigation .................................. 35

1. Release the Scene ...................................................................... 35

2. Submit Reports to the Appropriate Databases .......................... 36

Appendix A. Documentation Examples .......................................................... 41

Appendix B. Additional Reading ..................................................................... 57

Appendix C. National Resources ..................................................................... 59

Appendix D. Points of Contact ........................................................................ 61

Appendix E. List of Organizations .................................................................. 63
1

Introduction

It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly, one

begins to twist facts to suit theories instead of theories to suit facts.

—Sherlock Holmes, A Study in Scarlet, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

As Sherlock Holmes pointed out, many types of investigations are

susceptible to prejudgment, but few as often as fire scene investigations. Fires, by their destructive nature, consume the evidence of their

initiation and progress as they grow. Investigations are compromised,

and often scenes are further destroyed by the activities of the fire service,

whose primary responsibilities are to save lives and protect property

against further damage. Fire scenes often involve all manner of public

entities: emergency medical, law enforcement, and fire services. Public

utilities such as gas and electric companies may be involved. Passers-by,

owners, tenants, customers, delivery agents all may have relevant information. The press and curious individuals attracted to large fire scenes

can complicate investigations, as they make security a necessity. As

has frequently been said, “A fire investigation is like a picture puzzle.

Everyone involved with it has some of the pieces, but no one has the

whole picture. It is up to the investigator to gather enough of these pieces

together to solve the puzzle.”

Why Investigate Fires?

Since Roman times, civil authorities have recognized the threat that

fire represents, not only to the well-being of individuals, but also, and

perhaps more importantly, to the welfare and security of the community

as a whole. In the days of wooden walls and roofs and straw-covered

floors, any fire could ravage an entire city. So, it was in the interest of

all concerned to investigate fires and establish how they began. Civil

authorities attempted to control the fire risk by assessing penalties if an

accidental fire was allowed to get out of control. Dangerous practices,

such as leaving cooking fires unguarded, were identified and controlled.
2

William the Conqueror issued an edict that cooking fires be damped or

covered after a particular time of evening so that unattended fires could

not flare up. This policy of couvre feu (cover the fire) gave rise to the

“curfew” of today. If authorities could determine the fire was deliberately

set, the perpetrator could be identified and punished. Some of the oldest

English common laws regarded arson to be the crime of burning the

house or dwelling of another. The crime of arson was considered to be

such a danger that it was punishable by death.

The same rationale applies today. Fires of accidental cause need to be

identified, so that dangerous practices, such as filling kerosene room

heaters with gasoline, can be eliminated by public education, or so that

defective or dangerous products, such as instant-on televisions or room

heaters with no overheating or tip-over protection, can be taken off the

market or modified so they no longer pose a significant fire risk. Fires of

incendiary (i.e., deliberate) cause must be detected, so that the firesetter

can be intercepted before doing more harm and punished as necessary.

The Fire Problem in the United States

According to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) of

the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), Federal Emergency Management

Agency, the United States has one of the highest per capita fire death

rates among industrialized nations. In 1997, the U.S. fire death rate was

15.2 deaths per million. This was reflected in approximately 4,050 deaths

and more than 23,000 injuries for that year alone. Nearly 2 million fires

occurred in 1997, with a total estimated dollar loss of $8.5 billion.

Thirty-one percent of these fires were in structures. Residential fires

comprised 23 percent of all fires and 74 percent of all structure fires.

Eighty-four percent of all fatalities occurred in homes. In addition to

structure fires, each year hundreds of thousands of vehicle and outside

fires occur. In 1997, vehicle fires accounted for nearly 400,000 incidents,

resulting in approximately 450 civilian deaths and 1,700 civilian injuries.

Outside fires were estimated at more than 700,000 occurrences, accounting for 40 percent of the total number of reported fires.
3

Arson fires (defined as incendiary/suspicious in NFIRS) comprised

almost 16 percent of all reported fires in 1997 and accounted for more

than $554 million, or 15 percent, of the total estimated dollar loss. Since

all fires are considered accidental until they can be proven to be intentionally set, the reported numbers are probably very conservative. There

is also reluctance to report arson fires, as it is feared that it may cause a

negative impact on the community or its economy.

While the general trend in numbers of fires and fire deaths has shown a

steady gradual decline over the past decade, the overall costs are still

significant. A continuing effort must be made to accurately identify the

exact origin (where the fire started) and cause (the factors that brought

the ignition source and first material ignited together) of all fires. This

will assist in learning more about how to prevent fires in the future.

Perhaps more important are preventive measures such as installing

working smoke detectors and residential sprinklers in every home and

using public education programs to effect behavior change.

The Problem of Fire Investigations

The advantages of accurate and thorough fire investigations are obvious.

The United States is one of the few countries where public authorities

have statutory responsibility to investigate all fires and determine their

origins and causes. While this may appear to be a solution to the problem

of fires and arsons, a number of major complications in fire investigations exist in the United States:

◆ A fire can be a complex event whose origin and cause are not obvious. Investigators may have to expend considerable time and effort

before the cause can be identified. This is the area where Holmes’

dictum is especially applicable. Without gathering data, the investigator can only guess at what might have caused the fire, based on circumstances alone. The training and preparation of qualified investigators

are often costly and time-consuming, requiring dedication to the

profession over many years.
4

◆ The destructive power of the fire itself compromises evidence from

the outset. The larger a fire becomes and the longer it burns, the less

evidence of causation will remain. In some fires, sufficient data to

establish the origin and cause (i.e., evidence) do not survive, no

matter how diligent the search or well prepared the searcher. This

destruction may be exacerbated by the normal and necessary duties

of fire personnel carrying out rescue, suppression, overhaul, and

salvage tasks.

◆ The complexity of the threat a major fire presents to the health and

welfare of the community means that representatives from law

enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency medical services; hazardous materials teams; utility company personnel; health and safety

officers; and other public agency personnel may be on hand and may

conduct some obligatory official duties. The presence of so many

people, in addition to members of the press and the public who were

attracted by the sights and sounds of a major fire, offers yet more

chances for scene security to be compromised and critical evidence

to be contaminated, moved, or destroyed.

◆ Responsibility for the investigation of fires is split. While the fire

service has the primary civil responsibility to establish a fire’s cause,

if the cause is determined to be accidental, the scene is released to

the owner or the owner’s insurance company for further examination.

If the conclusion is that the fire was purposely set, a crime has been

committed and law enforcement authority is needed to investigate the

crime. This often means releasing the scene and evidence to a local

law enforcement agency. Where local law enforcement has inadequate resources or personnel, an outside agency such as a State fire

marshal, or even a Federal agency (e.g., the Bureau of Alcohol,

Tobacco and Firearms [ATF]) may be asked to investigate. Any such

transfer may cause complications in establishing lines of authority. In

some agencies, investigative teams are composed of individuals from

both law enforcement agencies and fire departments so that the

continuity of the investigation can be maintained through both civil

and criminal phases. In a few cases, individuals have both law
5

enforcement and fire authority, thanks to extensive cross-training,

so cases are handled from start to finish by a minimal number of

trained, motivated investigators.

◆ A lack of commitment to conduct fire investigations exists on the

part of some law enforcement and fire agencies. Because of the

demand for rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency medical

assistance, in addition to their traditional duties of fire suppression,

fire departments often find themselves with fewer resources to

stretch to cover all obligations. As a result, the less visible responsibilities of fire investigation and fire prevention are often scaled back.

These cutbacks occur despite the advantages that aggressive programs in both areas could provide to the individual department and

to the community it serves: Preventing a fire means there is no loss

of life or property, no risk to personnel, and no equipment costs;

investigating a fire means that potential accidental or criminal threats

to the community may be averted in the future. Law enforcement

agencies, facing similar overwhelming demands for their time, might

prefer not to become involved in cases where the scene is destroyed

or at the very least compromised, time-consuming scene examination

and interviews are required, and the resulting evidence is often

complex and circumstantial (meaning prosecutors may not want

to use it even if it is properly and completely collected).

Then Who Investigates Fires?

As might be gathered from the preceding points, who actually will

investigate a fire is not an easy question to answer. In addition to law

enforcement and fire authorities, there may be prosecuting attorney

investigators, forensic laboratory experts, engineering specialists (fire,

chemical, mechanical, or electrical), and private investigators representing insurance companies, owners, tenants, and manufacturers of the

myriad ignition sources found in a modern home or business.
6

Considering the wide spectrum of people involved in the investigation of

fires, perhaps it is understandable why uniform guidelines for fire scene

documentation and evidence collection have not been previously crafted

for those public safety personnel who may not be trained in the specialized

aspects of fire scene investigation but may be in the position of having

to respond to a fire/arson scene. Whether from law enforcement or fire

agencies, the public-sector individuals responsible for investigations have

had access to specialized training programs through USFA’s National

Fire Academy, ATF, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), State fire

marshal offices, professional organizations such as the International

Association of Arson Investigators, and various private-sector groups. In

1992, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued NFPA 921:

Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations1

, a consensus document

reflecting the knowledge and experience of fire, engineering, legal, and

investigative experts across the United States. This document is continuously reviewed, public proposals and comments are solicited, and a

revised edition is produced every 3 to 5 years. It has become a benchmark for the training and expertise of everyone who purports to be an

expert in the origin and cause determination of fires. Unfortunately, not

everyone involved in the process of scene examination and evidence

documentation and collection will have the opportunity to master the

entire contents of comprehensive manuals, such as NFPA 921. As previously discussed, fires are common occurrences that threaten lives and

communities, so many people are involved in fire investigations, and

many people hold pieces of the puzzle, often without knowing it.

1. NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations, Quincy, Massachusetts:

National Fire Protection Association.
7

Training Criteria

With the completion of this Guide, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ)

intends to support the creation of training resource materials, including

publications and online interactive programs, through agencies such as

the National Center for Forensic Science (NCFS). These resources will

make it possible for all those involved in fire scenes to optimize the

evidence recovered in investigations.

Background

National Fire/Arson Scene Planning Panel and

Technical Working Group on Fire/Arson Scene

Investigation

NCFS, which is located at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in

Orlando and is an NIJ grantee, held a national needs symposium on arson

and explosives in August 1997. The symposium’s purpose was to identify

problem areas associated with the collection and analysis of fire and

bombing debris. One of the problem areas identified by this national

panel of experts was the need for improved awareness of available

procedures for the recognition, documentation, and collection of evidence at fire and arson scenes. In spring 1998, NIJ and NCFS, using

NIJ’s template, created a technical working group to develop guides for

fire/arson and explosion/bombing scene investigations. The NIJ Director

selected members for a planning group—the National Fire/Arson Scene

Planning Panel (the Panel)—to draft a guide for fire/arson scene investigation, as well as members for an explosion/bombing scene planning

panel that met separately. The 11 Panel members represented Federal,

State, and local agencies involved in the investigation of both accidental

fires and arsons, as well as national and international organizations that

have been involved with the creation of professional guidelines (such

as NFPA 921) for scene investigations. The selected members not only

had extensive personal experience in the examination of fire scenes but

also represented the diversity of disciplines involved with fire investigations—from the scene to the laboratory and courtroom.
8

The Panel was charged with developing an outline for a national guide

for fire/arson scene evidence collection, using the format in the NIJ

publication Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator2

as a template.

The Panel met in April 1998 at the Office of Law Enforcement Standards

(OLES) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in

Gaithersburg, Maryland, under the sponsorship of NCFS and NIJ, to

begin the document development process. Because many aspects of fire/

arson scene investigation are complex and involve extensive specialist

training and knowledge, the Panel was careful to focus on the evidence

that should be collected and documented at all fire scenes and to emphasize the need to evaluate the limitations of the investigator’s knowledge

and request specialized expertise when the complexities of the scene

exceeds those limitations. Documents already in place, such as NFPA

921 and standards E1188 and E860 from the American Society for

Testing and Materials, cover the collection and interpretation of complex

evidence from fire/arson scenes. The Panel determined that this Guide

should not attempt to supplant those widely accepted consensus documents but should supplement them for those public safety personnel who

may not be trained in the specialized aspects of fire scene investigation

but may be in the position of having to respond to a fire/arson scene.

In August 1998, the Technical Working Group on Fire/Arson Scene

Investigation (TWGFASI), which was led by Panel members, met at

UCF to expand, develop, and revise the document drafted by the Panel.

In other meetings, TWGFASI established a long-term commitment to a

separate group within it focusing on at-the-scene issues that will bring

together laboratory and onsite workers.

In September 1998, the draft of the document was circulated to

TWGFASI for review and comment. The comments generated by

that review were collated by the OLES Director.

2. Death Investigation: A Guide for the Scene Investigator, Research Report, Washington,

D.C.: U.S. Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice, December 1997, NCJ

167568.
9

TWGFASI Representation

Rocky

 Discipline Northeast Southeast Mountain West Canada

Law

enforcement 2 2 1

Prosecution 1 1

Forensic

science 6 2

Research 1 1

Investigation 1 2 1

Fire 1

Insurance 1

Government 6 1 1

Northeast

Southeast

Rocky Mountain

West

Prosecution

Fire

Research

Forensic 

Science

Law Enforcement

Insurance

Government

Investigation
10

National Reviewer Network

After the initial review by TWGFASI members, editors selected from the

Panel by NIJ met in Washington, D.C., in February 1999 to create a draft

document for wide review. The comments elicited in the broad review

were then incorporated into the final document by the editorial board

at a meeting in July 1999, prior to its submission for acceptance by

TWGFASI in October 1999.

The 132 organizations and individuals whose comments were solicited

during the national review included all levels of law enforcement,

regional and national organizations, attorneys, judges, and forensic

scientists from across the United States and Canada. A complete list of

organizations that received the document for review can be found in

appendix E.
11

Establishing the Role of

First Responders

Evaluating the Scene

Documenting the Scene

Processing Evidence at the Scene

Completing the Scene Investigation

Section A

Section B

Section C

Section D

Section E

Fire and Arson Scene Evidence:

A Guide for Public Safety Personnel
12

This handbook is intended as a guide to recommended practices

for the collection and preservation of evidence at fire/arson

scenes. Jurisdictional, logistical, or legal conditions may

preclude the use of particular procedures contained herein.

Actions taken pursuant to this Guide shall be performed in

accordance with department policies and procedures and Federal

and State laws.

Not every portion of this document may be applicable to all fires.

It is at the discretion of responding personnel (depending on their

responsibilities, as well as the purpose and scope of their duties)

to apply the procedures recommended in this Guide to a particular incident. Some of the procedures described in this Guide may

not be performed in the sequence described or may be performed

simultaneously.
13

A

Section A. Establishing the Role of First Responders

Note: The actions of public safety personnel providing emergency services

at a fire scene are critical not only to lifesaving and fire suppression efforts

but also to any subsequent investigation of the incident.

1. Observe the Fire and Scene 

Conditions

Principle: Public safety personnel responding to a fire should

observe conditions and activities at or near the scene so

they can give investigators arriving later an accurate and

complete description. First responders3 can gain information valuable to the fire investigation during their

approach to and arrival at the scene.

Procedure: While approaching a fire scene, first responders should

observe and mentally note the following conditions and

activities and, as soon as conditions permit, initiate

permanent documentation of the information (e.g.,

written notes, voice recordings, videotapes):

A. The presence, location, and condition of victims and witnesses.

B. Vehicles leaving the scene, bystanders, or unusual activities near

the scene.

C. Flame and smoke conditions (e.g., the volume of flames and

smoke; the color, height, and location of the flames; the direction

in which the flames and smoke are moving).

3. The first public safety personnel to arrive on the scene, whether they are law enforcement professionals, firefighters, or emergency medical services (EMS) personnel.
14

D. The type of occupancy and use of the structure (e.g., a residential

occupancy being used as a business).

E. Conditions of the structure (e.g., lights turned on; fire through the

roof; walls standing; open, closed, or broken windows and doors).

F. Conditions surrounding the scene (e.g., blocked driveways, debris,

damage to other structures).

G. Weather conditions.

H. Unusual characteristics of the scene (e.g., the presence of containers, exterior burning or charring on the building, the absence of

normal contents, unusual odors, fire trailers4

).

I. The fire suppression techniques used, including ventilation,

forcible entry, and utility shutoff measures.

J. The status of fire alarms, security alarms, and sprinklers.

Summary: First responders’ initial observations provide investigators with information pertinent to the investigation.

As the investigation unfolds, these observations may

provide the starting point for evidence collection and

preservation efforts.

2. Exercise Scene Safety

Principle: Safety overrides all other concerns: Ensuring the safety

of victims, bystanders, and public safety personnel is the

first responders’ foremost concern at a fire scene. First

responders must take steps to identify and remove or

mitigate safety hazards that may further threaten victims,

bystanders, and public safety personnel. They must

exercise due caution to avoid injuries to themselves and

others.

4. Physical trails of fuel and the burn patterns caused by those trails.
15

Procedure: Upon arrival at the scene, first responders should:

A. Evaluate the scene for safety hazards (e.g., structural collapse of

the building; smoke; electrical, chemical, or biological hazards;

other health risks).

B. Establish safety/hazard zones.

C. Communicate hazards to other personnel arriving at the scene.

D. Use tools and personal protective equipment appropriate to the

task during all operations.

Summary: Safety is the overriding concern during emergency

operations and the subsequent investigation. To ensure

the safety of civilians and public safety personnel, first

responders should take steps to identify, evaluate, and

mitigate scene hazards, and they should communicate

those hazards to other public safety personnel arriving

at the scene. Necessary safety zones should be established to receive victims as they are evacuated. Personal

protective equipment and other measures should be used

to ensure the safety of all persons at the scene. The scene

should continually be reassessed to evaluate safety

hazards that may change due to fire conditions or

suppression efforts.

DANGER:

Beware of incendiary or explosive devices!

The scene may contain devices specifically designed to kill or maim

public safety responders. Do not touch any suspected incendiary or

explosive device. Evacuate the area, and request the services of

personnel trained in the removal of such items.
16

3. Preserve the Fire Scene

Principle: Evidence at a fire scene takes many different forms,

some of which are transient (i.e., they are not permanent

and may disappear quickly, such as impressions in snow

or evaporating liquids). First responders must understand

how rescue, medical, fire suppression, overhaul,5 and

salvage6 efforts can adversely affect different forms of

evidence and take steps to preserve evidence accordingly. First responders should assess the fire scene to

identify potential evidence, take preliminary steps to

preserve it, and notify appropriate authorities about its

existence.

Procedure: To preserve evidence, first responders should:

A. Observe and mentally note evidence that may be present at the

scene, such as:

◆ Fire patterns (including multiple fire locations).

◆ Burn injuries to victims and fire patterns on clothing.

◆ Trailers, ignitable liquids, or other unusual fuel distribution 

(e.g., piles of newspapers, furniture pushed together).

◆ Incendiary/ignition/explosive devices (e.g., lighters, matches,

timing devices).

◆ Shoe prints and tire impressions.

◆ Broken windows and doors.

◆ Distribution of broken glass and debris.

◆ Indications of forced entry (tools and tool marks).

5. The process of opening concealed spaces to find pockets of fire and removing

smoldering materials.

6. The process of protecting, moving, or removing items.
17

◆ Containers.

◆ Discarded clothing.

◆ Trace evidence (e.g., hairs, fibers, fingerprints, blood, other

body fluids).

◆ Evidence of crimes in addition to the possible arson

(e.g., weapons, bodies, drugs, clandestine drug laboratory

equipment).

◆ Witnesses, bystanders, and victims.

◆ Any other unusual items or the absence of normal contents or

structural components.

B. Recognize threats to evidence (i.e., its movement, removal,

contamination, or destruction) from any of the following sources:

◆ Fire suppression activities, such as a straight stream applied at

the point of origin or deluge applications that may wash away

or dilute potential evidence.

◆ Overhaul activities that destroy fire patterns.

◆ Salvage activities that involve moving or removing potential

physical evidence.

◆ Use of a tool in any manner that causes destruction of

evidence.

◆ Movement of knobs, switches, and controls on appliances and

utilities.

◆ Weather conditions that affect transient evidence (i.e., wind,

precipitation, or temperature changes).

◆ Personnel walking through the scene.

◆ Witnesses and victims leaving the scene.

◆ Medical intervention and treatment of victims (e.g., by

damaging evidence at the scene or destroying victims’

clothing).

◆ Premature removal or movement of bodies.
18

◆ Vehicles at the scene (e.g., that introduce fluid to the scene

through vehicle leaks or destroy other evidence, including

shoe prints and tire impressions).

◆ Contamination from external sources, such as fuel-powered

tools or equipment.

C. Protect evidence by:

◆ Limiting excessive fire suppression, overhaul, and salvage.

◆ Avoiding needless destruction of property.

◆ Leaving bodies undisturbed.

◆ Flagging items of evidence with cones or markers.

◆ Recording observations through written notes or voice

recordings.

◆ Covering items or areas containing evidence with objects

that will not contaminate the evidence (e.g., clean boxes or

tarpaulins).

◆ Isolating items or areas containing evidence with rope, barrier

tape, barricades, or sentries.

◆ Retaining and securing clothing items removed from victims

and suspects.

◆ Obtaining information about victims and witnesses (i.e., their

names, addresses, and telephone numbers).

◆ Preserving transient evidence (e.g., trace evidence, shoe

prints, tire impressions).

◆ Removing evidence at risk of imminent destruction by the fire

or the structural collapse of the damaged building.

◆ Ensuring that later arriving investigators are fully apprised of

the evidence discovered.

Summary: First responders should recognize items that may have

evidentiary value in a subsequent investigation and take

steps to protect them from damage that could result from

the fire, fire suppression, or rescue efforts.
19

4. Establish Security and Control

Principle: Fire suppression and rescue efforts can be performed

more efficiently and effectively if only essential authorized personnel are permitted access to the area. Restricting access also ensures the safety of civilians and helps

to preserve the scene for subsequent investigation. First

responders should immediately establish control of the

scene. Then, as soon as conditions permit, first responders should initiate documentation of the scene to aid in

the investigation.

Procedure: To establish security and control, first responders should:

A. Set up a security perimeter (e.g., using barrier tape, fire line,

sentry).

B. Control access into the scene through the security perimeter.

C. Initiate documentation of the scene. (See “Section C: Documenting the Scene.”)

Summary: The actions of first responders at a fire scene are not

only critical to saving lives and suppressing fires; they

also set the stage for the investigators arriving to process

the scene by establishing a controlled security perimeter

and initiating documentation of the scene.

5. Coordinate Activities

Principle: Emergency operations at the fire scene may involve

many different agencies and organizations, each having

a different focus and performing different activities.

These activities must be well coordinated to accomplish

emergency operations efficiently and to preserve the

integrity of the scene. Upon arrival at the scene, first
20

responders must establish an incident command system,

which allows for a systematic flow and transfer of critical

scene information.

Procedure: To coordinate activities at the scene, first responders

should:

A. Establish a command post and implement an incident command

system (i.e., a point of contact and line of communication and

authority for public safety personnel).

B. Establish staging areas to ensure that emergency and support

vehicles have access into the area.

C. Request additional personnel resources, such as firefighters,

EMS personnel, law enforcement officers, investigators, and

representatives of utility companies.

D. Inform authorities about the status of the incident, hazards, injuries, witnesses, the location of evidence, and other pertinent facts.

Summary: First responders must establish an incident command

system to coordinate activities at the scene and

communicate information to responsible authorities.
21

B

Section B. Evaluating the Scene

Note: This and subsequent sections of this Guide are intended for the

individual responsible for the investigation of a fire incident. At the time

the scene is determined to involve an arson or other crime, the investigator must address legal requirements for scene access, search, and

evidence seizure.

1. Introduce Yourself and Your Role as

the Investigator

Principle: Introductions at the scene allow the investigator7 to

establish formal contact with other official agency

representatives. The investigator should meet with the

incident commander8 and first responders to assess

previous events and the current status of the fire scene,

introduce himself or herself, identify essential personnel,

and determine what the scene safety and integrity issues

are.

Procedure: Upon arrival at the scene, and prior to entering the scene,

the investigator should:

A. Identify and contact the current incident commander and present

identification.

B. Conduct a briefing with the incident commander to determine who

has jurisdiction and authorization (legal right of entry) and to

7. The individual responsible for the investigation, whether a qualified fire investigator or

any member of the authorized agency given investigative responsibility.

8. The supervisor/officer in control of the scene.
22

identify other personnel at the scene (e.g., law enforcement,

firefighting, EMS, hazardous materials, and utility services

personnel).

C. Determine the level of assistance required and whether additional

personnel are needed.

D. Determine initial scene safety prior to entry through observations

and discussions with first responders. Consider environmental as

well as personnel safety concerns. Assess changes in safety

conditions resulting from suppression efforts.

Summary: Onscene introductions establish formal contact with

the incident commander and other official agency

representatives and promote a collaborative investigative

effort. Preliminary scene safety concerns are addressed

and continually reevaluated due to the effects of changing fire conditions, suppression efforts, and scene

reconstruction.

2. Define the Extent of the Scene

Principle: To provide for the safety and security of personnel and

to protect the evidence, the investigator should perform

a preliminary scene assessment. The investigator should

determine the area in which the site examination will be

conducted and establish or adjust the scene perimeter.

Procedure: To determine the boundaries of the scene, the

investigator should:

A. Make a preliminary scene assessment (an overall tour of the fire

scene to determine the extent of the damage, proceeding from

areas of least damage to areas of greater damage) to identify

areas that warrant further examination, being careful not to

disturb evidence.
23

B. Inspect and protect adjacent areas—even areas with little or no

damage—that may include nonfire evidence (e.g., bodies, blood

stains, latent prints, tool marks) or additional fire-related evidence

(e.g., unsuccessful ignition sources, fuel containers, ignitable

liquids).

C. Mark or reevaluate the perimeter and establish or reassess the

procedures for controlling access.

Summary: Procedures focusing on the perimeter and on control of

access to the fire scene protect the integrity of the scene.

3. Identify and Interview Witnesses at

the Scene

Principle: Persons with information about the scene, activities

prior to the fire, the fire, and its suppression are valuable

witnesses. The investigator should determine the identities and locations of witnesses and make arrangements

to conduct interviews.

Procedure: To develop a witness list, the investigator should:

A. Contact the incident commander, identify first responders and

first-in firefighters, and arrange to document their observations

either in writing or through recorded interviews.

B. Determine who reported the fire. (Secure a tape or transcript of

the report if available.)

C. Identify the owner of the building/scene, any occupants, and the

person responsible for property management.

D. Identify who was last to leave the building/scene and what occurred immediately before they left.

E. Identify and interview other witnesses (e.g., neighbors, bystanders, people injured during the fire, later arriving public agency

personnel) and record their statements.
24

Summary: Developing a list of persons who have information about

the scene, activities prior to the fire, the fire, and its

suppression assists investigators with the subsequent

investigation.

4. Assess Scene Security at the Time of

the Fire

Principle: The investigator should determine whether the building

or vehicle was intact and secure and if intrusion alarms

or fire detection and suppression systems were operational at the time of the fire. This information helps to

establish factors such as ventilation conditions, possible

fire development timelines and scenarios, and whether

vandalism of the property or systems occurred prior to

the fire.

Procedure: To determine the status of security at the time of the fire,

the investigator should:

A. Ask first responders where entry was made, what steps were taken

to gain entry, and whether any systems had been activated when

they arrived at the scene.

B. Observe and document the condition of doors, windows, other

openings, and fire separations (e.g., fire doors). Attempt to determine whether they were open, closed, or compromised at the time

of the fire.

C. Observe and document the position of timers, switches, valves,

and control units for utilities, detection systems, and suppression

systems, as well as any alterations to those positions by first

responders.

D. Contact security and suppression system monitoring agencies to

obtain information and available documentation about the design

and functioning of the systems.
25

Summary: Determining and documenting system operations and

scene security at the time of the fire establishes existing

conditions of the scene. Data from detection and suppression systems can provide information about the

fire’s origin and spread.

5. Identify Resources Required to

Process the Scene

Principle: The investigator should recognize limitations of his

or her own expertise and knowledge and determine

what personnel may be required to process the scene

according to NFPA 921 and other recognized national

guidelines. Except in the most obvious cases, the determination of a fire’s origin and cause may be a complex

and difficult undertaking that requires specialized

training and experience as well as knowledge of generally accepted scientific methods9 of fire investigation.

The investigator must either have appropriate expertise

or call upon the assistance of someone with that knowledge. This is especially true in cases involving deaths,

major injuries, or large property losses.

Procedure: Based on the preliminary scene assessment and analysis

of fire patterns and damage at the scene, the investigator

should:

A. Identify a distinct origin (location where the fire started) and

an obvious fire cause (ignition source, first fuel ignited, and

9. As stated in NFPA 921, the scientific method consists of defining the problem,

collecting data, analyzing the data, developing hypotheses (e.g., what could have

caused the fire), testing the hypotheses, and considering alternative hypotheses.
26

circumstances of the event that brought the two together). If

neither the origin nor the cause is immediately obvious, or if there

is clear evidence of an incendiary cause, the investigator should

conduct a scene examination in accordance with NFPA 921 and

other recognized national guidelines or seek someone with the

expertise required.

B. Know when to contact or request the assistance of specialized

personnel and to obtain specialized equipment as required to

assist with the investigation. For a comprehensive discussion

of suggested equipment and tools, see NFPA 921. Standard

equipment should include the following:

◆ Barrier tape.

◆ Clean, unused evidence containers (e.g., cans, glass jars, nylon

or polyester bags).

◆ Compass.

◆ Decontamination equipment (e.g., buckets, pans, detergent).

◆ Evidence tags, labels, and tape.

◆ Gloves (disposable gloves and work gloves).

◆ Handtools (e.g., hammers, screwdrivers, knives, crowbars).

◆ Lights (e.g., flashlights, spotlights).

◆ Marker cones or flags.

◆ Personal protective equipment.

◆ Photographic equipment.

◆ Rakes, brooms, spades, etc.

◆ Tape measures.

◆ Writing equipment (e.g., notebooks, pens, pencils, permanent

markers).

Note: At the time the scene is determined to involve an arson or other

crime, the investigator must address legal requirements for scene

access, search, and evidence seizure.
27

C. Recognize and consider the interests of parties that may be affected

by the outcome of the investigation and, to the extent possible,

avoid jeopardizing those interests by taking steps to protect evidence. These issues include spoliation,10 subrogation,11 and 

third-party claims.

Summary: Identifying the required resources ensures that the scene

is processed by qualified individuals and that evidence

necessary for both criminal and civil litigation will be

preserved.

10. Damage or loss of evidence that would compromise a legal case.

11. Recovering damages by a finding of fault; finding that the cause of the fire was the

failure of some product or system.
29

Section C. Documenting the Scene

C

Section C. Documenting the Scene

1. Photograph/Videotape the Scene

Principle: Photographic documentation creates a permanent

record of the scene and supplements the written incident

report(s), witness statements, or reports on the position

of evidence. The investigator should create and preserve

an accurate visual record of the scene and the evidence

prior to disturbing the scene. Additional photography

or videography should occur as the investigation

progresses.

Procedure: The scene should be photographed prior to the disturbance or removal of any evidence and throughout the

scene investigation. The investigator (or other individual

responsible for evidence) should:

A. Photograph and/or videotape the assembled crowd and the fire

in progress.

B. Remove all nonessential personnel from the background when

photographing the scene and evidence.

C. Photograph the exterior and interior of the fire scene (consider

walls, doors, windows, ceilings, floors) in a systematic and

consistent manner. (Videotaping may serve as an additional

record but not as a replacement for still photography.)

D. Photograph any points or areas of origin, ignition sources, and

first material ignited.

E. Photograph any physical reconstruction of the scene.

F. Maintain photo and video logs. Record the date, the name of the

photographer, and the subject. (See appendix A for examples.)
30

G. Determine whether additional photographic resources are necessary (e.g., aerial photography, infrared photography, stereo

photography, photogrammetry).

Summary: Photographic documentation provides a permanent

record of the scene.

2. Describe and Document the Scene

Principle: Written documentation of the scene provides a permanent record of the investigator’s observations that may

be used to refresh recollections, support the investigator’s opinions and conclusions, and support

photographic documentation.

Procedure: The investigator should:

A. Prepare narrative, written descriptions and observations, including

assessments of possible fire causes. (See appendix A for samples.)

B. Sketch an accurate representation of the scene and its dimensions, including significant features such as the ceiling height,

fuel packages (e.g., combustible contents of the room), doors,

windows, and any areas of origin.

C. Prepare a detailed diagram using the scene sketch(es), preexisting

diagrams, drawings, floor plans, or architectural or engineering

drawings of the scene. This may be done at a later date.

D. Determine whether additional documentation resources are

necessary.

Summary: Written descriptions of the scene, along with accurate

sketches and measurements, are invaluable for focusing

the investigation. Written scene documentation recreates

the scene for investigative, scientific analysis, and

judicial purposes and correlates with photographic

evidence.
31

D

Section D. Processing Evidence at the Scene

Note: At the time the scene is determined to involve an arson or other

crime, the investigator must address legal requirements for scene access,

search, and evidence seizure.

1. Identify, Collect, and Preserve 

Evidence

Principle: Collecting evidence at a fire scene requires attention to

documenting and maintaining the integrity of the evidence. The investigator should ensure that evidence

collectors identify and properly document, collect, and

preserve evidence for laboratory analyses, further

investigations, and court proceedings, in accordance

with NFPA 921 and other recognized national guidelines,

including American Society for Testing and Materials

standards E860, E1188, and E1459. This will ensure

that critical evidence is not contaminated or lost prior to

analysis and that the chain of custody is maintained.

Procedure: To optimize the recovery and evaluation of physical

evidence, evidence collectors should:

A. Take precautions to prevent contamination. (See “Prevent

Contamination.”)

B. Document the location of evidence using written notes, sketches,

photographs, photo and video logs, the evidence recovery log,

evidence tags, and container labels. (See appendix A.) When

evidence is excavated, additional photographs may be of value.

C. Take special care to collect evidence in any areas of origin (such

as the first fuel ignited and ignition source) in cases where the fire

is not accidental.
32

D. Place evidence in labeled containers for transportation and

preservation. Evidence collected for laboratory identification of

ignitable liquids must be immediately placed in clean, unused,

vaportight containers (e.g., clean, unused paint cans; glass jars;

laboratory-approved nylon or polyester bags) and then sealed.

E. Label each container so that it is uniquely identified. Labeling

may include the name of the investigator, date and time of collection, case number, sample number, description, and location of

recovery.

F. Collect and preserve suitable comparison samples but recognize

that such samples may be unavailable.

G. Package evidence in accordance with their laboratories’ policies

and procedures.

H. Recognize the presence of other physical evidence, such as blood

stains, shoe prints, latent prints, and trace evidence, and use proper

preservation and collection methods or seek qualified assistance.

Summary: Proper collection and packaging preserve the value of

physical evidence.

2. Prevent Contamination

Principle: Preventing contamination during evidence collection

protects the integrity of the fire scene and evidence. The

investigator should ensure that access to the fire scene

after fire suppression is controlled and that evidence is

collected, stored, and transported in such a manner that

it will not be contaminated.

Procedure: To prevent contamination, personnel (e.g., evidence

collectors) should:

Note: In cases where the fire appears to be accidental, evidence

should not be needlessly disturbed, but the property owner or insurer

should be notified to avoid issues of spoliation.
33

A. Establish and maintain strict control of access to the scene.

B. Recognize that fuel-powered tools and equipment present potential contamination sources and should be avoided. When it is

necessary to use these tools and equipment, the investigator

should document their use.

C. Wear clean, protective outergarments, including footwear.

D. Use clean disposable gloves for collecting items of evidence. (To

avoid cross-contamination, gloves should be changed between

collection of unrelated items of evidence or when visibly soiled.)

E. Use clean tools for collecting items of evidence from different

locations within a scene. (Disposable tools also can be used.)

F. Place evidence in clean, unused containers and seal immediately.

G. Store and ship fire debris evidence containers of evidence collected from different scenes in separate packages.

H. Package liquid samples to prevent leakage and ship them separately from other evidence.

I. Store and ship fire debris evidence separately from other evidence.

J. Follow any specific laboratory requests, such as submitting an

unused sample container or absorbent medium for detection of any

contaminants.

Summary: Attention to scene control and evidence collection and

packaging helps to prevent contamination and ensures

the integrity of the evidence.

3. Package and Transport Evidence

Principle: Preventing changes in the condition of a sample after it

has been collected ensures the integrity of the evidence

and requires controlled packaging and transportation.

The investigator should ensure that packaging, transportation, and storage procedures are followed to prevent

any destructive changes in the condition of samples.
34

Procedure: To minimize changes in the condition of samples, the

personnel responsible for packaging and transport

should:

A. Take precautions to prevent contamination. (See “Prevent Contamination.”)

B. Package fragile items carefully.

C. Freeze or immediately transport items containing soil to the

laboratory.

D. Transport all volatile samples to the laboratory in a timely manner.

E. Comply with shipping regulations.

Summary: Adherence to approved packaging and transportation

procedures safeguards the condition of the evidence and

ensures its continued integrity.

4. Establish and Maintain the Chain of

Custody

Principle: Establishing and maintaining a chain of custody verifies

the integrity of the evidence. The investigator should

ensure that the chain of custody is maintained.

Procedure: Personnel responsible for the chain of custody should:

A. Maintain written records documenting the sample number, description of the evidence, date and location where it was found,

collector’s name, and miscellaneous comments.

B. Document all transfers of custody, including the name of the

recipient and the date and manner of transfer.

C. Document the final disposition of the evidence.

Summary: Maintaining the chain of custody for evidence, from

collection through final disposition, ensures its integrity.
35

Section E. Completing the Scene Investigation

1. Release the Scene

Principle: The investigator should ensure that the scene is not

released until reasonable efforts have been made to

identify, collect, and remove all evidence from the

scene for further examination and that all physical

characteristics of the scene have been documented. In

addition, prior to releasing the scene, associated legal,

health, and safety issues must be articulated to the party

receiving the scene and reported to public safety agencies if necessary. Doing so minimizes the risk of a

further incident or injury and the potential liability

of the authority releasing the scene.

Procedure: The investigator should ensure that the following tasks

are completed before releasing the scene:

A. Perform a final critical review:

◆ Ensure that all evidence is inventoried and in custody.

◆ Discuss preliminary scene findings with team members.

◆ Discuss postscene issues, including forensic testing, insurance inquiries, interview results, and criminal histories.

◆ Assign postscene responsibilities to law enforcement

personnel and other investigators.12

◆ Address legal considerations.

E

12. Remember that this Guide focuses on the documentation and collection of physical

evidence at fire/arson scenes. Other issues of investigation, such as insurance inquiries,

background information, fire deaths, the interpretation of physical evidence, and case

analysis and profiling, are not addressed in this document.
36

B. Verify that all scene documentation has been completed. (This can

be accomplished using an incident documentation checklist or

closure form; see appendix A.)

C. Address structural, environmental, health, and safety issues.

D. Remove all investigative equipment and materials.

◆ Recover and inventory equipment.

◆ Decontaminate equipment and personnel.

E. Document the following information:

◆ Time and date of release.

◆ Receiving party.

◆ Authority releasing the scene.

◆ Condition of the scene at the time of release (e.g., structural,

environmental, health, and safety issues). Consider photographing and/or videotaping the final condition of the scene.

◆ Cautions given to the receiving party upon release (e.g., safety

concerns, conditions, evidence, legal issues).

Summary: Responsibility for the scene should be transferred to an

authority having jurisdiction or to the party with the

legal right to the scene, after the scene examination, the

condition of the scene, and any cautions supplied have

been documented.

2. Submit Reports to the Appropriate

Databases

Principle: Detailed fire information is collected, integrated, and

disseminated through national and State databases.

These data help authorities identify fire trends and
37

develop innovative procedures and equipment. The

responsible agencies must file incident reports with the

appropriate databases.

Procedure: The investigator should collect sufficient information

to facilitate reporting to the following databases as

appropriate:

A. Arson and Explosives National Repository (Bureau of Alcohol,

Tobacco and Firearms).

B. Bomb Data Center (Federal Bureau of Investigation).

C. National Fire Incident Reporting System (U.S. Fire Administration).

D. National Incident-Based Reporting System (Federal Bureau of

Investigation).

E. State and local fire incident reporting systems.

Summary: The responsible agencies should contribute to databases

that compile information for purposes of identifying fire

trends and developing suspect profiles.
39

Appendixes

Documentation Examples

Appendix B Additional Reading

Appendix A

Appendix C National Resources

Appendix D Points of Contact

Appendix E List of Organizations
41

Appendix A. Documentation Examples

The forms in this appendix are provided to assist in the organization of

investigation information and data. They are intended as examples and

may not include all information needed or may refer to information that

is not applicable. The forms are taken from NFPA 906: Guide for Fire

Incident Field Notes13 and are printed here by permission of NFPA. For

information on the development of these forms and instructions on their

use, see NFPA 906.

13. NFPA 906: Guide for Fire Incident Field Notes, Quincy, Massachusetts: National Fire

Protection Association.
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
57

Appendix B. Additional Reading

The documents listed below are for informational purposes and should

not necessarily be considered authoritative in their entirety.

American Society for Testing and Materials. E860–97 Standard Practice

for Examining and Testing Items That Are or May Become Involved in

Products Liability Litigation. West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania: American Society for Testing and Materials, 1999.

American Society for Testing and Materials. E1188–95 Standard Practice for Collection and Preservation of Information and Physical Items

by a Technical Investigator. West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania: American Society for Testing and Materials, 1999.

American Society for Testing and Materials. E1459–92 Standard Guide

for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation. West

Conshohocken, Pennsylvania: American Society for Testing and Materials, 1998.

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. ATF Arson Investigative

Guide. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Bureau of

Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 1997.

Cole, Lee S. The Investigation of Motor Vehicle Fires. 3d ed. Novato,

California: Lee Books, 1992.

DeHaan, John D. Kirk’s Fire Investigation. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River,

New Jersey: Brady Publishing/Prentice Hall, 1997.

DiNenno, Philip J., ed. The SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering. Quincy, Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association and

Society of Fire Protection Engineering, 1999.

“Glossary of Terms.” Fire and Arson Investigator 40 (2): 25–34.
58

International Fire Service Training Association. Introduction to Fire

Origin and Cause. 2d ed. Stillwater, Oklahoma: Fire Protection

Publications, 1997.

Munday, J.W. Safety at Scenes of Fire and Related Incidents. London:

Fire Protection Association, 1995.

National Fire Protection Association. Fire Protection Handbook. 18th ed.

Quincy, Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association, 1997.

National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 472: Standard for Professional Competence of Responders to Hazardous Materials Incidents.

Quincy, Massachusetts, 1999.

National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 906: Guide for Fire

Incident Field Notes. Quincy, Massachusetts: National Fire Protection

Association.

National Fire Protection Association. NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and

Explosion Investigations. Quincy, Massachusetts: National Fire Protection Association.

A Pocket Guide to Accellerant Evidence Collection. 2d ed. Saugus,

Massachusetts: Massachusetts Chapter, International Association of

Arson Investigators, 2000.

Quintiere, James G. Principles of Fire Behavior. Albany, New York:

Delmar Publishers, 1997.
59

interFIRE

877–INTERFIRE

URL: http://www.interfire.com

International Association of Arson Investigators

314–739–4224

URL: http://www.fire-investigators.org

International Fire Service Training Association

405–744–5723

URL: http://www.ifsta.org

National Association of Fire Investigators

312–427–6320

URL: http://www.nafi.org

National Center for Forensic Science

407–823–6469

URL: http://ncfs.ucf.edu

National Fire Protection Association

617–770–3000

URL: http://www.nfpa.org

Appendix C. National Resources
61

Appendix D. Points of Contact

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

Headquarters Enforcement Operations Center

888–ATF–FIRE

URL: http://www.atf.treas.gov

Arson and Explosives National Repository

800–461–8841

202–927–4590

Arson and Explosives Programs Division

202–927–7930

National Laboratory

301–762–9800

Chemical Transportation Emergency Center (CHEMTREC®)

800–262–8200

URL: http://www.chemtrec.org

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Chemistry Division

202–324–4318

URL: http://www.fbi.gov

Federal Emergency Management Agency

U.S. Fire Administration

301–447–1000

URL: http://www.usfa.fema.gov

National Institute of Standards and Technology

Building and Fire Research Laboratory

301–975–6850

URL: http://www.bfrl.nist.gov
62

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

800–638–2772

URL: http://www.cpsc.gov

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

National Response Center

800–424–8802

URL: http://www.epa.gov
63

Accomack County (Virginia) Sheriff’s

Office

Alaska Criminal Laboratory

Alaska Public Defender Agency

Allegheny County (Pennsylvania) Fire

Marshal

American Academy of Forensic Sciences

American Bar Association

American Correctional Association

American Jail Association

American Prosecutors Research Institute

American Reinsurance Company

American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors

American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers

Anchorage (Alaska) Police Department

Arapahoe County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Office

Armed Forces Institute of Pathology

Association of Federal Defense Attorneys

Bridgeport (Michigan) Forensic Laboratory

Bristol (Virginia) Police Department

Broward County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office

Brownsville (Texas) Police Department

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

Cameron County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office

Campaign for an Effective Crime Policy

Chicago (Illinois) Fire Department

Children’s Defense Fund

Cincinnati (Ohio) Fire Division

City of Donna (Texas) Police Department

City of Inver Grove Heights (Minnesota)

Clark County (Nevada) Fire Department

Cleveland State Community College Basic

Police Academy

Commission on Accreditation for Law

Enforcement Agencies

The following is a list of public and professional organizations to which a

draft copy of this document was mailed.

Appendix E. List of Organizations

Conference of State Court Administrators

Connecticut State Police Forensic Science

Laboratory

Conyers (Georgia) Police Department

Council of State Governments

Covington (Tennessee) Fire Department

Crime Scene Academy

Criminal Justice Institute, Inc.

Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office

Drug Enforcement Administration

Edinburg (Texas) Police Department

Fairbanks (Alaska) Police Department

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

Florida Department of Law Enforcement

Florida International University

Florida Division of State Fire Marshal

Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Harlingen (Texas) Police Department

Hidalgo County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office

Illinois State Police

Indiana State Police Laboratory Division

The Institute for Genomic Research

Institute of Police Technology and

Management, University of North Florida

International Association for Identification

International Association of Bomb

Technicians and Investigators

International Association of Chiefs of Police

International City/County Management

Association

International Homicide Investigators Association

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation

Jefferson Parish (Louisiana) Fire Department

Juneau (Alaska) Police Department
64

National Organization for Victim Assistance

National Sheriffs’ Association

New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory

New Jersey State Police

New York State Office of Fire Prevention

and Control

Office of Law Enforcement Standards, National

Institute of Standards and Technology

Orange County (California) Sheriff’s Department

Orange County (New York) Community College

Peace Officer Standards and Training

Pennsylvania State Police

Pharr (Texas) Police Department

Pinellas County (Florida) Forensic Laboratory

Police Association

Police Executive Research Forum

Police Foundation

Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory

San Diego (California) Police Department

The Sentencing Project

Sitka (Alaska) Police Department

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division

St. Louis (Missouri) Metropolitan Police

Department

State of Florida Crime Laboratory

Suffolk County (New York) Crime Laboratory

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy

Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas

Rangers

Town of Goshen (New York) Police Department

Tucson (Arizona) Police Department

University of Texas Pan American Police

Department

U.S. Border Patrol

U.S. Conference of Mayors

U.S. Postal Inspection Service

U.S. Sentencing Commission

Webb County (Texas) Sheriff’s

Department

Weslaco (Texas) Police Department

Willacy County (Texas) Sheriff’s Office

Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory

Laredo (Texas) Police Department

Law Enforcement Training Institute,

University of Missouri—Columbia

Los Angeles (California) Fire Department

Maine State Police Crime Laboratory

Massachusetts State Police

McAllen (Texas) Police Department

Metropolitan Government of Nashville and

Davidson County Criminal Court

Division III

Metropolitan Government of Nashville and

Davidson County Office of the District

Attorney General

Metropolitan Nashville (Tennessee) Police

Academy

Metropolitan Nashville (Tennessee) Police

Department

Michigan Department of State Police

Mission (Texas) Police Department

National Association of Attorneys General

National Association of Black Women Attorneys

National Association of Counties

National Association of Criminal Defense

Lawyers

National Association of Drug Court Professionals

National Association of Police Organizations, Inc.

National Association of State Alcohol and

Drug Abuse Directors

National Association of Women Judges

National Center for State Courts

National Center for Victims of Crime

National Clearinghouse for Child Abuse

and Neglect

National Conference of State Legislatures

National Council on Crime and Delinquency

National Crime Prevention Council

National Criminal Justice Association

National District Attorneys Association

National Governors’ Association

National Law Enforcement and

Corrections Technology Centers

National Law Enforcement Council

National League of Cities

National Legal Aid and Defender Association
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Establishing the Role of 

First Responders 

Evaluating the Scene

Documenting the Scene

Processing Evidence at the Scene

Completing the Scene Investigation