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Practical Aspects of Fire/Arson Fatality
Fire Scene Investigation
Length of Seminar:
2 Days
Instructor: Mike
Dilley or Kevin Reilly
Course Overview:
The scene of any fatality fire is itself evidence,
and requires two separate but related investigations. The
reports and testimony of a trained Fire Investigator, Law
Enforcement Officer, Insurance Representative, and DA Investigator
concerning observation and findings at a fatality fire scene
is vitally important to the successful determination of
the fire origin and cause and the victim’s cause of
death. Improper protection of the fatality fire scene will
result in the unnecessary movement of the body and the loss
of physical evidence connected to the investigation.
The First Law Enforcement Officer or Firefighter
to arrive at the scene of the fatality fire automatically
incurs the serious and critical responsibility of securing
the fire scene and must take precautions to protect the
body and the scene. The body and the physical evidence in
and around the fire scene are highly fragile. Once the body
has been moved it can not be returned to its pre-fire position.
The movement and improper handling of the fatality fire
scene can destroy the indicators needed to determine the
cause of death and the cause of the fire. The recommended
standards for fatality fire investigations are important
to follow.
The proper means of processing a fatality
fire scene, photographing, diagramming, and examining the
body requires specialized training. However, this is of
a nature that is within every investigators ability to acquire.
Scientific knowledge is not a prerequisite. What is required
in addition to procedural knowledge is a background on people’s
behavior in a fire and what types of information the investigator
might obtain from different physical material, victim position,
and location.
A competent investigation of a fatality fire
scene demands an understanding of basic procedures, and
appreciation of the “Why” of certain actions
and close attention to detail in carrying them out.
This two (2) day training deals with the
considerations, guidelines, and procedures that will help
avoid an oversight, insure thoroughness of the fatality
fire investigation and to comply with requirements that
may bear on the out come of the investigation.
The Purpose Of This
Course:
The purpose of this course of training is to provide Fire
Investigators, Law Enforcement Officers, Insurance Investigators,
and DA Investigators with an in-depth course on the Investigation
of Fire Fatalities.
Upon Successful Completion:
Attendees will have been provided the skills and
knowledge to:
- Determine The Proper Sequence For Investigating Fatality
Fires
- Establish Scene Security And Accountability
- Document The Location Of The Fatality
- Explain The Importance Of The Fire Victim’s Locations,
Position, And Appearance
- Know The Two Types Of Investigations Required In A Fatality
Fire
- List Methods For Identifying The Victim
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