Investigating Fires
As we have already learned, the Bureau of Fire Protection is the country's concerned body when it comes to all matters related to fire prevention and suppression. In relation to that, the BFP also has the power to investigate fires.
Why should fires be investigated?
The main reason is to determine the cause of the fire and, where applicable, to use the knowledge gained from the investigation to avoid similar occurrences in the future.
Who are qualified to investigate fires?
Fire investigators, as authorized, are qualified to investigate fires. They must:
- Possess knowledge of investigational techniques
- Have an insight on human behavior
- Have first-hand knowledge of the chemistry of fire and its behavior
- Be resourceful
Are fire investigations complex and unique?
The short answer is yes. These are the main reasons:
- Fires destroy evidence.
- If it is arson, the fire would have been planned and discreet.
- There are rarely any witnesses to incendiary fires.
What are the roles of the firefighters in fire investigations?
Since firefighters arrive on the scene well before fire investigators, firefighters are positioned to be valuable sources of information. They are called the "eyes and ears" of the investigators before, during, and after the fire came under control. The information they have can be categorized as:
- attainable or developed prior to arrival at the scene
- available to the firefighters at the scene
- available during overhaul or thereafter
Arson Investigation
Fire investigations, especially where arson is concerned, is grounded on the Revised Penal Code. Specifically, the laws related to arson can be found in Book Two, Chapter Eight (Articles 320-326).
What are the basic lines of inquiry in arson investigations?
- Point of origin of the fire
- Motive of the arsonist
- Prime suspects (and the prima facie evidences)
- Tell-tale signs of arson
Point of Origin
One of the most important things to establish in an arson investigation is the point of origin of the fire. If an obvious point of origin could not be found nor confirmed during inspection of the fire scene, the investigator must turn to witnesses for information.
The witnesses must be questioned on:
- Their identity
- What attracted their attention
- Time of observation
- Their position relevant to the initial fire
- Exact location of the blaze
- Size and intensity
- Speed of the spread
- Color of flame and odor of the fire
- Any other persons found on the scene
An investigator would also do well to note the following fire-setting mechanisms:
- matches
- candles
- electrical systems
- mechanical means
- chemical methods
Motives
There are two types of fire-setters: those who have motives and those who don't. The latter could be mentally ill persons who need medical attention.
For those with motives, they could have set the fire for economic gain, to conceal a crime, as a punitive measure, or to intimidate.
Prime Suspects
The development of prime suspects could be derived from the information gathered during inspection and from the testimony of witnesses. The following techniques may serve the investigation:
- Search of the scene for physical evidence
- Background study of the people involved with the building
- Interviews or interrogations of the discoverers of the fire
- Surveillance
Tell-Tale Signs of Arson
The following, if observed, may be signs that an arson has occurred:
- Burned down building
- Separate fires
- Suspicious color of smoke
- Odd color of flames
- Extreme temperatures during the blaze
- Questionable smoke marks
- Unusual fire size
- Unnatural direction of fire spread
- Severe intensity
- Dubious odors
- Questionable items left behind in the burning building