Need for Science for in Fire Scene Investigation and Reconstruction Gerald Haynes, PE Fire Protection Engineer Forensic Fire Analysis, LLC

Transcription

1 Need for Science for in Fire Scene Investigation and Reconstruction Gerald Haynes, PE Fire Protection Engineer Forensic Fire Analysis, LLC 20 th Annual Fire Investigative Approaches Seminar Myrtle Beach, SC October 20, 2016

2 NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033 (2014 editions) Set the Standard for Forensic Fire Investigations Professionals relying upon forensic-driven interpretations Expert conclusions require as their foundation accepted science-based and peerreviewed methodologies. 2

3 NFPA 1033 (2014 Edition) Sets JPRs In Forensic Fire Investigations Professionals relying upon forensic-driven interpretations and expert conclusions require as their foundation accepted science-based and peerreviewed methodologies. 3

4 Professional Levels Of Job Performance For Fire Investigators (NFPA ) 4

5 5

6 6

7 NFPA , sec.:1.3.7 Minimum Knowledge Required o Fire science o Fire chemistry o Thermodynamics o Thermometry o Fire dynamics o Explosion dynamics o Computer fire modeling o Fire investigation o Fire analysis o Fire investigation methodology o Fire investigation technology o Hazardous materials o Failure analysis and analytical tools o Fire protection systems o Evidence documentation, collection, and preservation o Electricity and electrical systems 7

8 What Can You Do To Meet The Job Performance Requirements? Track the instruction you receive in the 16 categories broken down by contact hours Participate in the development of curricula or presentations Conduct review and critiques of your own work Incorporate reviews into your mandatory training and document 8

9 NFPA The fire investigator shall remain current in the topics listed in by attending formal education courses, workshops, and seminars and/or through professional publications and journals. 9

10 Model Training Curricula To Meet NFPA 1033 Requirements Lesson Plans PowerPoint Slides Appendices Case Studies Test Questions 10

11 The Quick List Introduction of the Bilancia Ignition Matrix as a substitute for the outdated process of elimination Discussion about conclusions Electrical topics now include UK and European specifications Revisions and updates on new vehicle technologies New vehicle exam protocol forms Expanded discussion of fabric and furniture flammability issues and tests 11

12 Bilancia Ignition Matrix An important advance in fire investigation process Systematic exam and evaluation of all potential first fuels and ignition sources in the room of origin A Treasure Map 12

13 Thorough and Systematic Examination Essential to data collection Photos courtesy of Don Perkins, FCA 13

14 Laser Scanning Courtesy Leica Geosystems and Precision Simulations 14

15 Digital Scanning Cameras Photo courtesy of Bob Toth, Iris Fire. 15

16 Fire Behavior - Furniture Courtesy of Diane Spinner, FCA Courtesy of Jamie Novak, St. Paul FD 16

17 Building Fire Performance Courtesy of NIST Courtesy of Don Perkins and San Jose FD 17

18 New Potential Hazards Corroding CSST Gas Lines Photos courtesy of Brosz & Associates 18

19 New Fire Threats Courtesy of Mike Dalton and Jamie Novak 19

20 New Fire Threats Courtesy of Steve Riggs, PATC 20

21 Fire Testing Courtesy of Calif. Dept. of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Home Furnishings 23

22 Fire Testing Courtesy of Calif. Bureau of Home Furnishings 16 CFR 1630: Methenamine Pill Test Photo by John DeHaan 24

23 New Threats Courtesy of Monty McGill 25

24 New Hazards Mattress Toppers Plastic or composite deck boards Photos courtesy of Jim Albers and John Jerome 26

25 EMERGING AREAS IN FORENSIC FIRE SCENE ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION

26 Schedule A review of 10 emerging areas of forensic fire analysis Impact of NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations on hypothesis development Case studies Open discussion on the future of forensic fire investigation 28

27 Tales from Authoritative Fire Investigation 29 Textbooks H. Rethoret Fire Investigations (1945) 29

28 TEN EMERGING AREAS IN FORENSIC FIRE SCENE ANALYSIS AND RECONSTRUCTION 30

29 1. Principles of Forensic Fire Scene Reconstruction Requires a systematic approach of collecting and evaluating data as scene processing and investigation progresses The approach combines principles of fire investigation practice along with the forensic and behavioral sciences 31

30 2. Basic Fire Dynamics An understanding of fire dynamics is required for fire investigators Topics include heat release rates of common materials, heat transfer, fire growth and development, and fire plume dynamics 32

31 3. Fire Pattern Analysis Fire patterns are used by investigators in assessing fire damage and determining its origin. The ability to document and interpret fire pattern damage accurately is a skill of paramount importance to investigators when they are reconstructing fire scenes. 33

32 4. Fire Scene Documentation Systematic fire scene documentation is needed to support forensic analysis and expert reports. Includes recording visual observations, emphasizing fire development characteristics, and authenticating and protecting physical evidence. 34

33 5. Arson Crime Scene Forensic Analysis The forensic analysis of how an arsonist sets a fire often reveals their motive and intent. NFPA 921 presents internationally accepted motivebased classification guidelines Motives include: the crimes of vandalism, excitement, revenge, crime concealment, and arson-for-profit. 35

34 6. Fire Modeling Fire modeling is a scientific forensic tool using mathematical and computerassisted approaches The models help investigators to better understand fire dynamics, explosions, and the movement of people. 36

35 7. Fire Death and Injuries Fire forensics provides an indepth foundation for the examination of fire s impact on tenability. Examines what kills people in fires by exposure to smoke toxic gases, and heat. 37

36 8. Fire Testing Understanding standard fire test methods is important to forensic fire scene analysis and reconstruction. Fire tests range from benchtop lab tests to full-scale fire reconstructions. 38

37 9. Forensic Fire Case Studies Case studies (reviews and critiques) are important tools for mastering the forensic fire investigation concepts Case studies should emphasize and evaluate the application of fire investigator JPRs. 39

38 10. Emerging and Future Forensic Fire Scene Tools Archaeological excavation type processing of fire scenes Laser scanners for scene documentation Radiography and Computed Tomography Testing and evaluation of materials Computer fire modeling 40

39 Areas of Professional Job Performance for Fire Investigators under NFPA 1033 (2014, Edition) General Requirements Scene Examination Documenting the Scene Evidence Collection/Preservation Interviewing Post-Incident Investigation Presentations 41

40 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD IN FORENSIC FIRE SCENE RECONSTRUCTION AND ANALYSIS 42

41 General Requirements - NFPA ) Shall meet the job performance requirements defined in Sec ) Shall employ all elements of the scientific method 3) Shall complete site safety assessments on all scenes and follow regional and national safety standards 4) Shall maintain liaison with other interested professionals and entities 5) Shall adhere to all applicable legal and regulatory requirements 6) Shall understand the organization and operation of the investigative team within an incident management system e.g. (NIMS) 43

42 Why should Fire Investigators be Concerned? Investigations must now must meet a standard of care under NFPA 921, NFPA 1033, and International ASTM standard practices Ignoring the Scientific Method may: Result in exclusion of opinions Render investigations as faulty Undermine cases Produce lawsuits 44

43 NFPA , sec The fire investigator shall employ all elements of the scientific method as the operating analytical process throughout the investigation and for the drawing of conclusions. 45

44 The Scientific Method NFPA , sec The systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and definition of a problem; the collection of data through observation and experimentation; analysis of the data; the formulation, evaluation and testing of a hypothesis; and, when possible, the selection of a final hypothesis. 46

45 The Scientific Method 47

46 The Working Hypothesis 48

47 Case Example: The Gas Pump Fire What data are presented in this case? What loss histories can you think of that are similar to this incident? What are the potential hypotheses for this incident? What is your opinion as to the most logical hypothesis 49

48 Case Example: Hypotheses for the Gas Pump Fire Smoking? Pump Malfunction? Safety clip Grounding Static Electricity? Clothing/Seating Materials Cell Phone Theory? Others? 50

49 Other Refueling Fire Cases 51

50 Peer reviewed forensic science article, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, Vol. 40, No. 4, July/August 2004 In order to address the danger of human static electricity during gasoline refueling it should be recognized that conditions that increase the static discharge hazard during automotive refueling are: Dry weather Static-producing clothing and seat upholstery Rubber-soled or nonconductive synthetic-soled shoes Reentering the vehicle during automated refueling 52

51 Benefits of Using the Scientific Method Acceptance of the methodology in the scientific community Use of a uniform, peer-reviewed protocol of practice Improved reliability of testimony from opinions formed using the scientific method 54

52 55

53 The Working Hypothesis 56

54 Bilancia Ignition Matrix Approach Encourages the investigator to consider a comprehensive range of alternative hypotheses and consider each one on the basis of factors such as heat release rate, heat flux, separation distances, thermal inertia, and routes of fire spread. It is an exhaustive approach using the true intent of the scientific method. A completed matrix offers a concise demonstration that all potential ignition sources have been considered and all (but one, presumably) eliminated. Note that this comprehensive approach is not the casual process of elimination that NFPA 921 strongly cautions against using 58

55 Bilancia Ignition Matrix Approach The Bilancia Ignition Matrix approach compares all of the potential ignition sources in a room to the available fuel sources 59

56 Bilancia Ignition Matrix Approach Comparisons designed to systematically evaluate numerous ignition sources and document how each was or was not competent to ignite a particular first fuel. Each square in the matrix represents a pair-wise assessment of the interaction between an energy source and a first fuel. 60

57 Bilancia Ignition Matrix Approach 61

58 Bilancia Ignition Matrix Approach Each combination is then evaluated on four primary values: 1. Is this ignition source competent to ignite this fuel? Yes or no. 2. Is this ignition source close enough to this fuel to be capable of igniting it? Yes or no. 3. Is there evidence of ignition? Yes or no. 4. Is there a pathway for a fire ignited in this first fuel to ignite the main fuel? Yes or no. 62

59 Bilancia Ignition Matrix Approach Finally, the matrix can then be color-coded to indicate which combinations are capable, which are excluded, and which need further data. This color legend might be: Red Competent and close, Blue Not competent, and Yellow Competent but ruled out 63

60 Bilancia Ignition Matrix Example Compartment Fires 64

61 65

62 66

63 67

64 Bilancia Ignition Matrix Example Vehicle Fires 68

65 Vehicles

66 70

67 Bilancia Ignition Matrix Approach Encourages the investigator to consider a comprehensive range of alternative hypotheses and consider each one on the basis of factors such as heat release rate, heat flux, separation distances, thermal inertia, and routes of fire spread. It is an exhaustive approach using the true intent of the scientific method. A completed matrix offers a concise demonstration that all potential ignition sources have been considered and all (but one, presumably) eliminated. Note that this comprehensive approach is not the casual process of elimination that NFPA 921 strongly cautions against using 71

68 SUMMARY There is a need for science in fire 72 scene investigations and reconstruction Important to apply the scientific method using validated principles and research Reliability of an opinion can be a function of the number of hypotheses tested and eliminated 72