Fire Investigation in the United States - Essay Example

Fire Investigation Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Introduction Fire-fighting is the process of putting out fire, where a firefighter looks for the means to extinguish the fire in order to save a life or to prevent destruction of property and the environment. Fire-fighting involves the application of technical skills by experts who have undergone training for a number of years so as to acquire fire-fighting tactics. Initial stage into fire-fighting operation involves examination to determine the cause of the fire and establishing particular fire associated risks and victims. During training fire fighter are equipped with fire suppression tactics. They are supposed to establish the signs of fire in case of fire outbreak before embarking on extinguishing process. Some of the signs learnt during the training involves; identifying the hot zones which is done using a gloved hand, where the fire fighter is supposed to touch the door before entering into the building. Another sign of fire is observing soot on the windows of the building and smoke moving in and out of the building. Also, fire-fighters may as well spray some water on the roof of the building with a diffused spray to assess the heat of the smoke (Decker and Ottley 2009, 26). Some of the tactics used to extinguish fire includes application of water to the consuming building using the hose pipes, tanker truck or hydrant. When the water is splashed to fire, it vaporizes hence the vapor dislodge the oxygen which supports combustion thus the fire is left with inadequate combustible agent to continue burning. However, when the fire is in an open place spray is used to extinguish it. Prior to spraying, the cooling effects starts instantaneously, and this lessen the amount of water to be used. On the other hand, when the fire is burning in an enclosed place for instance inside the building, positive pressure ventilation is used to extinguish it. This tactic involves the use of a fan to build superfluous pressure in the interior of the building. This pressure difference pushes heat and smoke out of the burning premises hence the aiding in firefighting process (CINFSC 2009,35). On the other hand, fire investigation involves numerous concepts and formalities. In its practice, it requires a fire scene examiner as well as a laboratory specialist to conduct chemical analysis of fire remains. The motive behind fire scene investigation is to establish the cause of the fire and whether it was arson or by accident. Among other issues to ascertain in fire scene investigation are; the extent of fire spread, in question also is the performance of the installed firefighting gadgets and preparedness, as well as determining issues involving the consequential loss attributed to the fire (NFPA 921, 65). Fire investigation varies from other crime investigations in a number of ways; unlike investigation of other crimes, with the fire investigation, it is crucial to verify that any crime actually occurred. This is usually different from cases with other criminal acts. Another difference is in the expertise of the investigators on the scene of fire, as well as the laboratory technicians conducting tests on the samples of fire ruins, or examining possible causes of the fire at the scene. These specialists will possess a specialized understanding of technicalities of gas chromatography and spectrometry (Brannigan, Bright& Jason 1980, 134). The investigators at the scene of fire should have a concrete knowledge of fire chemistry as well as dynamics. However, most of the scene investigators do not have an in-depth understanding of the fire chemistry and its dynamics. Usually, many field investigators don’t advance their studies past high school. A comprehensive investigation is vital from the onset of the investigation at the scene of fire. This should ensure that physical evidence is not compromised or destroyed or prospective witnesses disregarded. This is basically the reason why fire scene investigators are required to have vast knowledge in regards to fire dynamics. Although some forensic disciplines equip fire investigators with adequate skills (e.g. recognition of firearms and verification of fingerprints), it is complicated to suggest that people who do not possess basic knowledge of fire chemistry as well as physics related to fire development attain comprehensive knowledge about the fire ( CINFSC 2009,35). Most investigative agencies have set up programs in fire and arson scene processing, for instance, the National Institute of Justice of the United States of America convened a team of law enforcement agents and attorneys, as well as expert fire investigators, to draft enhanced procedures for the investigation and collection of evidence from scenes of fire. According to the pledges of the team, the type and scope of an investigation would vary from case to case. Every fire incident should be given careful consideration owing to its unique environment and circumstances of its ignition (Decker and Ottley 2009, 22). Progression In the recent past, fire investigation has improved as compared to mid-1970s where the scene investigators as well as laboratory specialists were not equipped with the current technology needed to prove the cause of fire. The mid-1970s to 1980 were marked with steady change as investigation of most of fire incidences were based on sketchy proofs with some of the fire occurrences directly associated with witchcraft. In late 1977 some of the outcomes of fire investigation were documented by the LEAA (Law Enforcement Assistance Administration) in one of their publications by the title Arson investigation (Decker and Ottley 2009, 22). The LEAA survey compiled some of the indicators used by fire investigators during that time in the event of fire incidence. However, there were concerns from the authors of this report that some of the indicators were not proven scientifically and they cannot be accepted as valid without being subjected to a series of experiments. Nonetheless, after three years, NBS (National Bureau of Standards) currently referred to as NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) published a handbook on fire investigation that recognized all those indicators identified by LEAA as valid and included them in their publication. This boosted their reputation as the most reliable engineering as well as science institute in the world (Brannigan, Bright & Jason 1980, 134). Unluckily, the NBS had not conducted any scientific research to investigate into what extent these indicators were valid; they just believed a word of mouth from a couple of trainers originating from the NFA (National Fire Academy). This had resulted into publication of several textbooks which contained wrong information which continued to be relied upon by fire investigators. It took over two decades to correct the mistakes that had already been caused by those publications. However, in 2009 a Committee on recognizing Forensic Science Community’s on its bid to reinforce the United States’ Forensic Science came up with similar recommendations that had been made by LEAA 32 years ago( CINFSC 2009,35). In 1985, the NFPA (Standards Council of the National Fire Protection Association) was not satisfied by the nature of the work conducted by fire investigators and sought to engage a Technical Committee that specialized on fire investigations. The main aim of the Technical Committee was to come up with guidelines that were supposed to assist fire investigators in conducting their tasks and this took this took the Committee a period of seven years to complete the task. This followed the publication of a comprehensive directive concerning Explosion and Fire Investigations in 1992 in 1992 by NFPA. The NFPA 921 became the first edition of the association and proposed that the fire investigators were not carrying out their job as required (NFPA 921, 70). However, professionals in fire investigations could not agree on the statement not released by the association claiming that most of the fire cases investigated were actually incendiary fires (Michael & Jeanne 1990, 77). Nonetheless, these professionals protested that claim since they could not come into terms with the reality that they have led innocent people to be convicted faultily with crimes they never committed or caused some of affected families to lose their life savings. Nevertheless, in 1996 there was a serious case touching on fire investigators between ‘Janelle R. Benfield v Michigan Millers Mutual Insurance Company’ whereby a fire investigator was barred from testifying in a court of law due to failure of recording his observations correctly (Caselaw.findlaw.com 1998, 140). However, in petition pertaining to that exclusion the IAAI (International Association of Arson Investigation) considered an amicus curie where they argued that the fire fighter was not supposed to be held accountable on the basis that the case was not as scientific as compared to scientific testing outlined in 1993 Daubert’s ruling. All the same it was agreed that NFPA 921 scientific method should be applied by most of fire investigators. Precautionary Approach A noticeable achievement of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 921) is that it has made it easier to differentiate between plausible investigative outcomes and vague results. The Guide equips an investigator with procedures on how to go about his job, nevertheless it demands that a fire investigator validate his findings with supportive data, scientifically, and sound analysis. In the United States of America, the occurrence of sophisticated arson cases have led to enhanced studies on their prevalence in the recent past. Texas State for instance started evaluating arson conviction in last year. Most of these feeble prosecutions can be attributed to shoddy investigations by fire investigators thus the need for adoption of a cautious approach in handling fire investigations. With the reforms initiated by NFPA, more advanced techniques for dealing with fire as well as arson cases have been developed. Fire investigations conducted after the explosion in a cigarette outlet in Pleasant Hill California in 2005 triggered a different understanding of fire dynamics. A team of fire scene examiners from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) instigated a fire drill similar to one previously set up at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynnco (Hadjisophocleous & Richardson 2005, 173). In the drill, two rooms measuring 12 by 14 were set on fire for approximately two minutes. A task force of about 53 investigators drawn from (International Association of Arson Investigators) IAAI-sponsored seminar in Las Vegas was then called in to examine the fire scene and write document their findings. When a spot check on the findings of the possible source of the fire in the first room was conducted, only three of the participants who had correctly identified the point of ignition. The exercise was then repeated on the other room and from the participant’s finding and again only three of the participants who had correctly identified the right quadrant of ignition. The results were alarming due to the high error rate of about 90%. The participants had relied on an outdated approach of identifying the point of ignition of ‘the lowest burnt and deepest char”. The participants had also been denied chance to interact with the witnesses and to dig in the rubble. They had only been allowed to use physical observation. Noted also was that some of the participants were just familiarizing themselves with fire investigation techniques. Some of those who participated also did not possess the right academic qualifications (Wallenius, Johansson & Larsson 2002, 133). Carman later re-analyzed the data on the findings from the team of 53 at the ATF laboratories in Ammendale where dynamics on computational fluid (FDS) and smoke view were used. A better understanding of the results was obtained in regards to the implications of ventilation in post-flashover fires. It was established that combustion is more rapid in a well-ventilated area. Fire investigations looks into the origin of ignition and entails establishing the point of interaction of the fire plume with other surfaces such as walls and ceilings. Where fire is controlled by ventilation, the sequence will be concentrated in points where there is adequate air circulation such as door and windows. The modeling of the 2005 Las Vegas fire revealed low concentration of oxygen throughout the room. However inflowing of oxygen through the ventilation collided with the wall resulting into an upward movement and a mix of the unburned fuel thus enhancing combustion (District of Columbia (DC) Fire & EMS 2000, 32). Hose line The only defense mechanism against fire for a fire fighter working without a hose line is to run off to safety, this would render his efforts inefficient as well as put his life in danger. In such a scenario, fire brigadiers should be trained other safety and fire fighting mechanisms. Such may include identifying a safer location of refuge and ways of accurately predicting potential behavior of fire. However, through the hose line firefighters are able to manage the fire scene through splashing of water. Nevertheless, they should device more solid ways of dealing with fire outbreaks that includes taking precautionary measures for their safety. Although it necessary for fighters to cooperate and extinguish the fire from the scene, it would be better for them to educate the public on ways to avoid it. Conclusion In conclusion, for fire investigators to be successful in their work they should avoid spoliation. Spoliation can be defined as intentional tampering of evidence or ignorance. If the fire is merely put out without following some of the recommended guidelines some evidence probable arson may be interfered with and it is commonly referred to as ‘Incendiary fire’. Therefore fire fighters are enlightened on potential loss of evidence while using pike pole or thee fire hose. However, fire fighters are finding new means of putting out fire without tampering with important evidence that en able fire investigators to establish the cause of the fire (Madrzykowski & Kerber 2009, webpage). For several years firefighters in the United States have been trained on ventilation that comprise methodical heat removal, smoke as well as fire gases and substituting them with fresh air. Nonetheless this is not absolutely true as the whole process entails switch over of atmosphere inside a burning compartment. It further involves getting rid of hot smokes as well as gases emanating from the fire. Improvements on ventilation can help enhance the conditions of the interior of the building, but in cases where there is enough air circulating in the compartment the heat rate will amplify (Madrzykowski & Vettori 2000, 32). References Brannigan, F., Bright, R., & Jason, N., 1980. Fire investigation handbook, NBS Handbook, p. 134. Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Science Community, 2009. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: a Path Forward, The National Academies Press, Washington, DC, p. 35. District of Columbia (DC) Fire & EMS. 2000. Report from the reconstruction committee: Fire at 3146 Cherry Road NE, Washington DC, May 30, 1999, p.32. Washington, DC: Author. Hadjisophocleous, G.V. & Richardson, J.K. 2005. Water flow demands for firefighting. Fire Technology 41, p. 173-191 J.F. Decker and Ottley B.L.2009. Arson Law and Prosecution, Carolina Academic Press, p. 22. Madrzykowski, D. & Kerber, S. 2009. Fire fighting tactics under wind driven conditions. Retrieved (in four parts) November 22, 2013 from http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Wind_Driven_Report_Part1.pdf; http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Wind_Driven_Report_Part2.pdf;http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Wind_Driven_Report_Part3.pdf;http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//PDF/Research/Wind_Driven_Report_Part4.pdf. Madrzykowski, D. & Vettori, R. (2000). Simulation of the Dynamics of the Fire at 3146 Cherry Road NE Washington D.C., May 30, 1999,p. 32. NISTR 6510. Retrieved on November 22 2013 from http://fire.nist.gov/CDPUBS/NISTIR_6510/6510c.pdf Michael, R. & Jeanne, G. 1990, “The Fire Next Time,” Newsweek,Dec. 10, at page 77 Millers Mutual Insurance Company v. Janelle R. Benfield, 140 F.3d 915 (11th Cir. 1998)". Caselaw.findlaw.com. International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Arson Investigators & National FIRE Protection Association. Fire Investigator, 2012: Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning, p.70. Wallenius, C. Johansson, C. & Larsson, G. 2002. Reactions and performance of Swedish peacekeepers in life-threatening situations. International Peacekeeping, 9(1), 133-152 Read More