Fire Investigation Report
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Fire Investigation Checklist
Felicia St. Luce
Columbia Southern University
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Fire Investigator
Inspection Incident number
Date & Time of Fire
Address of Fire
Risk Assessment (Detail hazards and control measures)
Contact Information
Arson Checklist Signs of Forced Entry?
o Yes o No o N/A
Multiple Seats of Fire? o Yes o No o N/A
Presence of Accelerant? o Yes o No o N/A
Covered External Windows? o Yes o No
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o N/A Internal Doors Wedged Open?
o Yes o No o N/A
Is the Fire in an Unusual Location? o Yes o No o N/A
Is the Fire Considered to be Deliberate? o Yes o No o N/A
Provide further Details as Required
Indicators Location Where the Fire Occurred (Description)
Evidence from Glass Damage? (Description)
Burn Pattern to Walls? (Description)
Burn Pattern to Floor? (Description)
Burn Pattern to Ceiling? (Description)
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Smoke Damage (Description)
Is Gas Involved? o Yes o No o N/A
Is Electricity Involved? o Yes o No o N/A
Were Combustible Materials too Close to Ignition source? o Yes o No o N/A
Is There Evidence of Faulty Controls o Yes o No o N/A
Is There History of Faults or Problems o Yes o No o N/A
Is There Evidence of Misuse of Equipment/ Appliances o Yes o No
Naked Flames Candles, Lighter, Matches, Other
o Yes o No o N/A
Cooking Is Cooking Involved?
o Yes o No o N/A
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Smoking Smoking Policy in Operation?
o Yes o No o N/A
Ashtrays and Waste Bins Emptied? o Yes o No o N/A
Anyone Smoking Prior to the Fire? o Yes o No o N/A
Evidence of Previous Burn Marks Due to Smoking? o Yes o No o N/A
Previous Carelessly Discarded Cigarettes? o Yes o No o N/A
Provide Further Information if Required?
Conclusion Point of Origin?
Source of Ignition?
What was the First Item Ignited?
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Hypothesis (What are the Circumstances, Defects, Actions or Omissions that Brought the Fire about?)
Arriving at the Scene
Fire Investigators/ Arson Inspectors are to be called out to the scene of a
fire. Inspectors evaluate the scene, identify witnesses, and survey what must be done. The lead
investigator must make contact to establish presence, define the scene’s boundaries, identify and
interview witnesses at the scene, assess scene security at the time of the fire, and identify resources
required to process the scene. Once the scene is determined to involve an arson or other crime, the
investigator must address legal requirements for scene access, as well as search and evidence
seizure. The investigator should then meet with the incident commander and first responders to
assess previous events and the current status of the fire scene, make introductions, identify
essential personnel, and determine scene safety and integrity issues. Investigators shall conduct a
briefing with the incident commander to determine who has jurisdiction and authorization (legal
right of entry) and to identify other personnel at the scene (e.g., law enforcement, firefighting,
emergency medical services, hazardous materials personnel and utility services personnel). They
will need to 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. The investigator should perform a preliminary
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scene assessment, determine the area in which the site examination will be conducted and establish
the scene perimeter (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.) This is to identify areas that
warrant further examination, being careful not to disturb evidence. Also, they will inspect and
protect adjacent areas that may include nonfire evidence (e.g., bodies, bloodstains, latent prints or
tool marks) or additional fire-related evidence (e.g., unsuccessful ignition sources, fuel containers
and ignitable liquids). If need be, Investigators will mark or reevaluate the perimeter and establish
the procedures for controlling access to the scene. Identify and interview witness(es) at the scene.
The investigator should determine the identities of witnesses and conduct interviews. Incident
commander, identify first responders and first-in firefighters, and arrange to document their
observations either in writing or through recorded interviews. It is important to know who reported
the fire. Secure a tape or transcript of the report if available. The owner of the building/scene, any
occupants, and the person responsible for property management needs to be identified as well as
those who may have left the scene. Identify and interview other witnesses (e.g., neighbors and
bystanders) and record their statements. Assess scene security at the time of the fire. 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. The
investigator should ask first responders where an entry was made, what steps were taken to gain
entry to the building or vehicle, and whether any systems had been activated when they arrived at
the scene. 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. Observe and document the position of timers, switches,
valves, and control units for utilities, detection systems, and suppression systems, as well as any
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alterations to those positions by first responders. Contact security and suppression system
monitoring agencies to obtain information and available documentation about the design and
function of the systems. Investigators should identify a distinct origin (location where the fire
started) and an obvious fire cause (ignition source, first fuel ignited, and circumstances of the event
that brought the two together).
Documenting the Scene
Complete an accurate documentation of the fire scene consists of good field notes,
diagramming/sketching the fire scene, photographing the fire scene, and collecting fire scene
evidence. Use notes, photos, and sketches to document the evidence collection process. Remember
to make notes and sketches pertaining to the collection, and photograph the collection of each piece
of evidence. Just as in photographing the fire scene, you need to document evidence in a similar
fashion. This documentation is done on an evidence log.
Completing the investigation
Once evidence has been collected and processed, the investigator must complete the
investigation and release the scene. Submit reports to the appropriate databases. The responsible
agencies must file incident reports with the appropriate databases. Detailed fire information is
collected, integrated and disseminated through national and State databases. These data help
authorities identify fire trends and develop innovative procedures and equipment.
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