This article has been written to clarify the role and responsibilities of fire suppression personnel, illustrating important considerations in the fire investigation process and explaining the impact of firefighter’s efforts in preserving the fire scene and physical evidence.

PRESERVATION OF THE FIRE SCENE AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE:

The responsibility for preserving the fire scene and physical evidence does not lie solely with the fire investigator but with all personnel on the scene especially fire suppression forces. Firefighters should make every attempt to protect and preserve the entire fire scene, intact and undisturbed, and keep the contents, fixtures, and furnishings in their pre-fire locations. It is through a systematic examination and analysis of the fire scene that the investigator determines the fire’s origin, cause, and ignition circumstances.