Fire Investigation Origin Determination Survey Reference Material

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1 Fire Investigation Origin Determination Survey Reference Material Study Performed by: Andrew Tinsley Greg Gorbett Department of Fire and Safety Engineering Technology Eastern Kentucky University

2 Purpose: Due to space limitations in most academic publications, the researchers were unable to provide all details regarding the questions asked and the scenario used to pose the questions. As such, this document will serve as a reference source to accompany papers in effort to provide the community with as much information on the project as possible. Results will be published and provided at the discretion of the researchers.

3 Part 1: Demographics 1. In what year were you born? 2. What is your gender? Male Female 3. How long have you worked as a full time fire investigator (years)? 4. How long have you worked as a part time fire investigator (years)? 5. How many fires have you worked as part (in any role) of an investigation team? More than How many fires have you worked as the lead investigator? More than Are you currently employed as a public or private investigator (if you are employed as both, please choose the one that is your main employer)? Public Private 8. If you have ever worked as a PUBLIC investigator, how long have you been/were you employed in that role (years)? 9. If you have worked as a PUBLIC investigator, was your main employer: Law Enforcement Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau Other 10. If you have ever worked as a PRIVATE investigator, how long have you been/were you employed in that role (years)?

4 11. Have you ever worked as a firefighter? Yes No 12. Have you worked as a firefighter? If so, indicate department type. Check all that apply. Paid Volunteer Paid On Call Not Applicable 13. What was/is your position in the fire service? Check all that apply. Firefighter Fire Investigator Fire Inspector Fire Chief Training Officer Other Officer Not Applicable 14. What is your highest level of education? GED (General Education Development) High School Diploma Post High School Trade School Associates Degree Bachelor s Degree Master s Degree Doctoral Degree (or other advanced degree) 15. If attending/attended college, what was your primary area of study? Fire Science Criminal Justice Fire Protection Engineering Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering Other Engineering Public Administration Forensic Science Other 16. What certifications do you currently hold? Please check all that apply. IAAI-FIT (Fire Investigation Technician) IAAI-CFI (Certified Fire Investigator) IAAI-ECT (Evidence Collection Technician) IAAI-CI (Certified Instructor) CFEI (Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator) CVFI (Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator) CFII (Certified Fire Investigation Instructor)

5 CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) PE (Professional Engineer) ATF-CFI (Certified Fire Investigator) PI (Private Investigator) CFO (Chief Fire Officer) EFO (Executive Fire Officer) Firefighter I Firefighter II Fire Officer I Fire Officer II Fire Instructor I Fire Instructor II Hazardous Materials Awareness Hazardous Materials Operations Hazardous Materials Technician Fire Inspector I Fire Inspector II Fire Investigator 17. Please select any professional organizations you are a member of. Check all that apply. IAAI (International Association of Fire Investigators) NAFI (National Association of Fire Investigators) NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) SFPE (Society of Fire Protection Engineers) ICAC (Insurance Committee for Arson Control) AAFS (American Academy of Forensic Sciences) ACJA (American Criminal Justice Association) IABTI (International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators) IFE (Institute of Fire Engineers) ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) ISFSI (International Society of Fire Service Instructors) IFMA (International Fire Marshals Association) 18. Please select any industry journals/magazines you READ on a regular basis. Check all that apply. IAAI Fire and Arson NAFI Fire Investigator NFPA Fire Technology Firehouse Fire/Rescue SFPE Journal of Fire Protection Engineering Fire Protection Engineering Fire Safety Journal Fire Risk Management Fire Safety Journal

6 Journal of the National Academy of Forensic Science Journal of Forensic Science 19. Please select any conferences/seminars you have attended in the last 5 years. NAFI International Symposium of Fire Investigation Science and Technology (ISFI) NAFI/NFPA National Training Seminar NFPA Conference and Expo IAAI Annual Training Conference IAAI State Chapter Training Conference ICAC Fire and Arson Investigation Training Seminar Any National Fire Academy (NFA) Course Public Agency Training Council Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Technical Working Group on Fire and Explosions 20. Have you participated in online training with any of the following Organizations? CFI Trainer (IAAI) UL University Fire Protection Engineering Pennwell Fire Engineering 21. In an average year, how much formal training related to fire investigation do you receive? 0 hours 1-10 hours hours hours hours hours More than 51 hours 22. Please select any books that you currently own or have immediate access to. NFPA 921 NFPA 1033 Kirk s Fire Investigation Forensic Fire Scene Reconstruction Scientific Protocols for Fire Investigation IFSTA Fire Investigation Text Any fire dynamics/behavior text SFPE Handbook of Fire Protection Engineering NFPA Fire Protection Handbook Ignition Handbook 23. Please rank your self-assessed proficiency in each of the following areas. Options will be: Very Weak, Weak, Competent, Very Strong, Strong

7 Safety on the Fire Scene Areas: Fire Science, Fire Chemistry, Thermodynamics, Thermometry, Fire Dynamics, Explosion Dynamics, Computer Fire Modeling, Fire Investigation, Fire Analysis, Fire Investigation Methodology, Fire Investigation Technology, Hazardous Materials, Failure Analysis and Analytical Tools. 24. Do you use any of the following while investigating a fire scene? Options will be: Always, Most of the Time, Some of the Time, Never Hardhat, Safety Glasses, Goggles, Steel Toed Boots, Gloves, Dust Mask, Respirator, Air Quality Monitor, Latex Booties, Tyvek Coveralls, Ear Plugs 25. How often do you investigate fire scenes by yourself? Always Most of the Time Some of the Time Never 26. Have you received training on performing a hazard and risk assessment? Yes No 27. Do you perform a hazard and risk assessment at all scenes? Yes No 28. If so, is the hazard and risk assessment documented in writing or electronically? Yes No 29. Are you HAZWOPER certified? Yes No Initial Opinions Options will be: Strongly Agree, Somewhat Agree, Somewhat Disagree, Strongly Disagree 30. The area of origin determination can be reliably determined through the use of visible damage only. 31. There is a difference between fire effects and fire patterns. 32. I specifically use fire effects in my analysis. 33. I use geometric shapes for helping you in my determination of the area of origin. 34. I use flame plume shapes to aid in my origin determination (triangular, columnar, conical). 35. I use truncated cone patterns in identifying the area of origin (i.e. V-, U-, Hourglass-shaped patterns).

8 36. I typically prepare a heat and flame vector analysis. 37. I think performing a heat and flame vector analysis is helpful. 38. I use comparative lines of demarcation in identifying an area of origin. 39. I use measurable data (i.e. depth of calcination, depth of char). 40. I believe the origin of a fire can be accurately determined using photographs alone. 41. I believe the collection of measurable data is time consuming to collect. 42. I believe the collection of measurable data yields little relevant data. 43. I believe that NFPA 921 is an authoritative document. 44. I believe that NFPA 1033 is an authoritative document. 45. During your scene examination, a fuel item has to be present at the hypothetical area of origin for the area of origin to be determined? 46. During your scene examination, an ignition source has to be present at the hypothetical area of origin for the area of origin to be determined? 47. Indicate which of the following items you feel is necessary to collect at MOST fire scenes. Check all that apply. Photographs Physical Dimensions Diagram of Structure Witness Statements (if available) Depth of Calcination Depth of Char Arc Mapping

9 Part 2: Pattern and Effect Identification (See also: Appendix 1) 1. Using the provided photograph, please indicate all fire effects observed. Check all that apply. Mass Loss Char Spalling Oxidation Color Changes Melting Thermal Expansion and Deformation of Materials Shiny Char Deposition of Smoke on Surfaces Clean Burn Pour Pattern Calcination Window Glass Collapsed Furniture Springs Distorted Lightbulbs Rainbow Effect Victim Injuries 2. Using the provided photograph, please indicate all fire patterns observed. Check all that apply. Triangular Columnar Conical V-Pattern Inverted Cone Hourglass U-Shape Truncated Cone Pointer and Arrow Circular Radial Irregular Donut Linear Area Saddle Burns 3. If the fire pattern indicates a direction of fire travel, please indicate below. Movement to Left Movement to Right Movement from Center Out No Direction

10 Part 3: Origin Determination Photographs Only (See also: Appendix 2) 1. After reviewing ONLY the items in the first part of the investigation book, which grid most accurately describes your chosen area of origin? Please choose only one grid without crossing lines. There will be a diagram of the room and contents with a grid system overlaid (Appx. 32 Grids). The participants will be allowed to choose only one grid. 2. Did you use fire effects in your analysis? Yes No 3. Did you use fire patterns in your analysis? Yes No 4. Did you perform a heat and flame vector analysis? Yes No 5. How long did it take you to analyze the information to arrive at your area of origin determination? 0-30 min 30 min-1 hour 1-2 hours 2-3 hours 3 or more hours 6. How confident are you this is the correct area of origin? 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 7. What was your primary consideration in choosing this area of origin? Choose only one. Fire Effects Fire Patterns Heat and Flame Vector Analysis Greatest Degree of Damage 8. On a scale from 1-5, with 5 being the most, list the value that you placed on the following items in your consideration for the area of origin determination: Visible Damage to the Walls Visible Damage to the Contents Fire Effects Fire Patterns Greatest Degree of Damage

11 Part 4: Origin Determination Photos and Measurable Data (See also: Appendix 3) 1. After reviewing all information in both parts of the investigation book, which grid most accurately describes your chosen area of origin? Please choose only one grid. There will be a diagram of the room and contents with a grid system overlaid (Appx. 32 Grids). The participants will be allowed to choose only one grid. 2. How long did it take you to analyze the information to arrive at your area of origin determination? 0-30 min 30 min-1 hour 1-2 hours 2-3 hours 3 or more hours 3. How confident are you this is the correct area of origin? 0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 4. On a scale from 01-5, with 5 being the highest, list the value that you placed on the following items in your consideration for the area of origin determination: Measurable damage to walls Measurable damage to contents Visible damage to the walls Visible damage to the contents Fire effects Fire Patterns Greatest degree of damage

12 Concluding Opinion 1. As a result of the measurable data, I came up with a different area of origin. Yes No 2. What other information would you like to have seen to increase your confidence in your area of origin determination? Check all that apply. Fire Modeling Arc Mapping Witness Statements Other

13 Appendix 1: Photo for Part 2

15 Appendix 2: Photos for Part 3

16 Ceiling - East View 4 of 29

17 Ceiling - North View 5 of 29

18 Coffee Table - East Side 6 of 29

19 Coffee Table - North Side 7 of 29

20 Coffee Table - South Side 8 of 29

21 Coffee Table - Top Side 9 of 29

22 Coffee Table - West Side 10 of 29

23 Couch - Left Side 11 of 29

24 Couch - Right Side 12 of 29

25 Couch - Top Side 13 of 29

26 East Wall 14 of 29

27 North Wall 15 of 29

28 South Wall 16 of 29

29 West Wall 17 of 29

30 Left End Table - Front Side 18 of 29

31 Left End Table - Left Side 19 of 29

32 Left End Table - Right Side 20 of 29

33 Left End Table - Top Side 21 of 29

34 Right End Table - Front Side 22 of 29

35 Right End Table - Right Side 23 of 29

36 Right End Table - Top Side 24 of 29

37 Love Seat - Right Side 25 of 29

38 Love Seat - Front 26 of 29

39 Love Seat-Left Side 27 of 29

40 Furniture Layout - Northeast View 28 of 29

41 South Wall-Couch 2 End Tables Coffee Table 29 of 29

42 Appendix 3: Photos and Measurable data for Part 4

43 1 of 29

44 2 of 29

45 3 of 29

Coffee Table Depth of Char Measurements All measurements

measure) 1 North Side of Coffee Table 2 2 West Side of

South Side of Coffee Table (near couch) East Side of

46 Coffee Table Depth of Char Measurements All measurements are recorded in millimeters (N=Nothing remaining to measure) 1 North Side of Coffee Table 2 2 West Side of Coffee Table South Side of Coffee Table (near couch) East Side of Coffee Table ~ ~

51 Ceiling - East View 4 of 29

52 Ceiling - North View 5 of 29

53 Coffee Table - East Side 6 of 29

54 Coffee Table - North Side 7 of 29

55 Coffee Table - South Side 8 of 29

56 Coffee Table - Top Side 9 of 29

57 Coffee Table - West Side 10 of 29

58 Couch - Left Side 11 of 29

59 Couch - Right Side 12 of 29

60 Couch - Top Side 13 of 29

61 East Wall 14 of 29

62 North Wall 15 of 29

63 South Wall 16 of 29

64 West Wall 17 of 29

65 Left End Table - Front Side 18 of 29

66 Left End Table - Left Side 19 of 29

67 Left End Table - Right Side 20 of 29

68 Left End Table - Top Side 21 of 29

69 Right End Table - Front Side 22 of 29

70 Right End Table - Right Side 23 of 29

71 Right End Table - Top Side 24 of 29

72 Love Seat - Right Side 25 of 29

73 Love Seat - Front 26 of 29

74 Love Seat-Left Side 27 of 29

75 Furniture Layout - Northeast View 28 of 29

76 South Wall-Couch 2 End Tables Coffee Table 29 of 29

Darren Winchester P. O. Box 2868 East Peoria, IL 61611

Darren Winchester P. O. Box 2868 East Peoria, IL 61611 EDUCATION 2005 Bachelor of Science, Fire and Safety Engineering Technology, Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, KY 2002 Associate of Applied Science,