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| Structure Fires |
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Goal and Purpose
The goal of every fire or explosion investigation and analysis is to determine the origin (epicenter) of the hostile incident, to determine the ignition factor (cause) of the hostile incident and to access responsibility for the occurrence of the hostile incident.
By doing so, fire and explosion investigators and analysts are able to provide the global fire protection community with the important data necessary to prevent similar hostile incidents from occurring again in the future and thereby saving lifes and protecting property.
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| Vehicle Fires |
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Methodology
The investigation and analysis of any fire or explosion incident is a complex scientific and engineering endeavor. The methodology of such an endeavor, therefore, must include the comprehensive, objective, and accurate compilation of available data.
During the course of all of our investigations and analyses, we employ the scientific method which is a systematic approach commonly utilized in all of the physical sciences. Its application and use facilitates the comprehensive, objective and accurate compilation and the interpretation of relevant data.
The scientific method as applied during a fire or explosion investigation and analysis consists of six (6) steps including the following:
- The recognition of the need for the investigation and analysis.
- The definition of the problem wherein the methodology of the investigation and analysis is formulated.
- The collection of the relevant data concerning the incident being investigated and analyzed.
- The analysis of the relevant data collected concerning the incident being investigated and analyzed.
- The development of a hypothesis based upon the analysis of the relevant data collected concerning the incident being
investigated and analyzed, often referred to as deductive reasoning.
- The testing of the hypothesis formulated, often referred to as deductive reasoning.
The application and use of the scientific method also insures that our investigations and analyses are conducted according to the generally recognized and accepted standards and practices of the fire and explosion investigation and analysis profession, as those standards and practices are documented in the following:
- National Fire Protection Association’s National Fire Code NFPA 921, entitled Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations.
- National Fire Protection Association’s National Fire Code NFPA 1033, entitled Standard for Professional Qualifications for
Fire Investigator
In addition to these, the recognized and accepted scientific principles and underlying science for the aforementioned standards and practices of the fire and explosion investigation and analysis profession are documented in the following:
- Federal Emergency Management Agency, United States Fire Administration’s Publication Number FA 178, entitled, Report
of the United States Fire Administration Program For the Study of Fire Patterns.
- National Institute of Justice’s Research Report 601-97, entitled, Report on Full Scale Room Burn Pattern Study.
- National Fire Protection Association’s publication, entitled, Fire Protection Handbook.
- Society of Fire Protection Engineers’ publication, entitled, Fire Protection Engineering Handbook.
- International Fire Service Training Association’s publication, entitled, Fire Origin and Cause.
- International Fire Service Training Association’s publication, entitled, Fire Investigator.
- United State Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice Research Report, entitled, Fire
and Arson Scene Evidence: A Guide for Public Safety Personnel.
- United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice Research Report, entitled, A
Guide for Explosion and Bombing Scene Investigation.
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