Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the fire scene examination?
What is the primary purpose of the fire scene examination?
- To determine the origin, cause and circumstances surrounding the fire (correct)
- To determine the extent of the damage caused by the fire
- To assess the value of the property
- To identify the individuals responsible for the fire
Who can authorize the fire scene examination?
Who can authorize the fire scene examination?
- Any homeowner in the neighborhood
- The lawful owner/occupant/agent of the property (correct)
- The local police department
- The insurance company
What can be seized and used in a court of appropriate jurisdiction as a result of the examination?
What can be seized and used in a court of appropriate jurisdiction as a result of the examination?
- Only physical evidence
- Any evidence found during the examination (correct)
- Only documents and papers
- None of the above
What is granted to the authorized agency conducting the examination?
What is granted to the authorized agency conducting the examination?
When can the consent to the examination be withdrawn?
When can the consent to the examination be withdrawn?
What is the role of the Hoffman Estates Fire Department in this context?
What is the role of the Hoffman Estates Fire Department in this context?
What information is required to be provided by the individual consenting to the examination?
What information is required to be provided by the individual consenting to the examination?
What is the document used for in this context?
What is the document used for in this context?
Under what circumstances are investigators permitted to enter a structure with an IDLH atmosphere?
Under what circumstances are investigators permitted to enter a structure with an IDLH atmosphere?
Which of the following is NOT a required element of a fire scene examination?
Which of the following is NOT a required element of a fire scene examination?
What is the primary reason investigators must dig out a structure during a fire scene examination?
What is the primary reason investigators must dig out a structure during a fire scene examination?
In what scenario would evidence pertaining to an accidental fire be left in place?
In what scenario would evidence pertaining to an accidental fire be left in place?
Why is it important to leave a hand-line and/or air quality monitor at the scene during the investigation process?
Why is it important to leave a hand-line and/or air quality monitor at the scene during the investigation process?
Who is responsible for arranging victim assistance in a fire incident?
Who is responsible for arranging victim assistance in a fire incident?
What is the primary role of the Police Detective / Evidence Technician at a fire scene?
What is the primary role of the Police Detective / Evidence Technician at a fire scene?
What is the best approach for handling evidence in an accidental fire?
What is the best approach for handling evidence in an accidental fire?
What is the primary responsibility of the first fire investigator who arrives at the scene?
What is the primary responsibility of the first fire investigator who arrives at the scene?
In which situation is a Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms required to be notified?
In which situation is a Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms required to be notified?
What must happen before any investigator is allowed to enter a structure?
What must happen before any investigator is allowed to enter a structure?
Which of the following situations dictates the need for a second investigator?
Which of the following situations dictates the need for a second investigator?
Which conditions automatically require a Special Agent and K-9 from the Office of the State Fire Marshal?
Which conditions automatically require a Special Agent and K-9 from the Office of the State Fire Marshal?
What method can the Incident Commander use to request additional investigators?
What method can the Incident Commander use to request additional investigators?
What type of fire situation is specifically noted as requiring a second investigator?
What type of fire situation is specifically noted as requiring a second investigator?
Which type of incident indicates the need for contacting the HEPD Detective upon the initial callback?
Which type of incident indicates the need for contacting the HEPD Detective upon the initial callback?
Who is responsible for reporting known fire origin and cause information for incidents not requiring a certified fire investigator?
Who is responsible for reporting known fire origin and cause information for incidents not requiring a certified fire investigator?
What is the timeline required for a Fire Investigation Report to be completed by the assigned investigator(s)?
What is the timeline required for a Fire Investigation Report to be completed by the assigned investigator(s)?
What is the primary purpose of the document provided?
What is the primary purpose of the document provided?
What should the narrative portion of the fire report include?
What should the narrative portion of the fire report include?
Which section would you find the area where the fire started?
Which section would you find the area where the fire started?
What document is completed by the on shift fire investigator for each fire incident?
What document is completed by the on shift fire investigator for each fire incident?
What type of information would be documented under 'Preliminary Findings'?
What type of information would be documented under 'Preliminary Findings'?
What is required from the investigator regarding insurance companies?
What is required from the investigator regarding insurance companies?
Which details are likely recorded in the 'Comments' section?
Which details are likely recorded in the 'Comments' section?
Where does the final investigative report get attached after approval?
Where does the final investigative report get attached after approval?
What purpose does the 'Witnesses' section serve?
What purpose does the 'Witnesses' section serve?
What is included with the policy for investigators when the scene is turned back over to the property owner?
What is included with the policy for investigators when the scene is turned back over to the property owner?
In which section would you find the time the fire department was alerted?
In which section would you find the time the fire department was alerted?
Who receives the Fire Investigation Status Report by the next business day?
Who receives the Fire Investigation Status Report by the next business day?
Which entity might be responsible for following up on safety compliance after a fire investigation?
Which entity might be responsible for following up on safety compliance after a fire investigation?
What is required to complete the 'Incident Number' field?
What is required to complete the 'Incident Number' field?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
Study Notes
Operations
- On-duty civilian investigators and/or callback investigators report to Station 22, pick up Utility 22, and proceed to the fire scene.
- If Utility 22 is already on the scene, investigators may report directly to the fire scene.
- Upon arrival, investigators are briefed on the fire status by the Incident Commander.
Special Agent and K-9 Notification
- Certain fire situations require a Special Agent and K-9 from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, HEPD Detective, and are requested to the scene on the initial callback, including:
- Fires involving fatalities
- Fires involving injuries (firefighter and/or civilian injuries)
- Fires of suspicious nature or suspected multiple points of origin
- Large loss fires as determined by the Fire Chief or designee
- Fire damage to state, federal, or school property
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Notification
- The following situations require a Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms to be requested to the scene:
- Fires that occur in churches, synagogues, temples, or other places of worship
- Explosions and fires involving homemade explosive devices
- Fires that are believed to be hate crimes
- Acts of Terrorism
Investigator Safety
- Investigators do not enter a structure until air quality has been determined to be safe according to department guidelines.
- Investigators wear proper respiratory protection and PPE while digging out a structure.
Fire Scene Examination
- The following elements should be included in the fire scene examination:
- Photographs should be taken throughout the investigation to document the scene and its contents.
- The scene should be dug as deeply as necessary to gather all pertinent information.
- Any evidence should be collected, photographed, and stored in police custody.
- A sketch should be completed when necessary to document the scene and location of items and evidence.
- All witnesses should be identified and interviewed.
- Police assistance should be requested for securing witnesses and securing the scene.
- Victim assistance should be arranged through incident command and dispatch.
Origin and Cause Reporting
- Incidents that do not require a certified fire investigator to the scene require the Incident Commander to report any known fire origin and cause information in the appropriate areas of the fire report.
- Photos shall be taken and included in the fire report.
- The Incident Commander will send an on-shift investigator and fire investigations division head a notification that there was a fire or fire loss.
Fire Investigation Report
- A Fire Investigation Status Report shall be completed by the assigned investigator(s) by the next business day and copies forwarded to the Deputy Fire Chief of Operations and head of the Fire Investigation Division.
- A Fire Investigation Report shall be completed within 30 days, by the assigned investigator(s) for all fires.
- The investigative report, including a sketch, photographs, and photo log, shall be forwarded to the head of the Fire Investigation Division for approval.
- The final investigative report will be attached to the NFIRS report by the head of the Fire Investigation Division.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
