by Guy E. Burnette, Jr., Esquire
NFPA 1033 STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR FIRE INVESTIGATOR
IS A DOCUMENT EVERY FIRE INVESTIGATOR SHOULD BE FAMILIAR WITH. IT IS A NATIONAL
STANDARD ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) PREPARED
BY THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON FIRE INVESTIGATOR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS.
THE CURRENT EDITION OF NFPA 1033 WAS APPROVED AT THE NOVEMBER 16-18, 1992
FALL MEETING OF THE NFPA AND BECAME EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 12, 1993.
NFPA 1033 HAS ITS ORIGINS IN NFPA 1031 PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR
FIRE INSPECTOR, FIRE INVESTIGATOR AND FIRE PREVENTION EDUCATION OFFICER,
ADOPTED IN MAY 1977. THE QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS FOR FIRE INSPECTORS, FIRE
INVESTIGATORS AND FIRE PREVENTION EDUCATION OFFICERS WERE SEPARATED IN 1986
AND NFPA 1033 WAS FIRST ADOPTED IN JUNE 1987.
NFPA 1033 WAS INTENDED "TO DEVELOP CLEAR AND CONCISE JOB PERFORMANCE
REQUIREMENTS THAT CAN BE USED TO DETERMINE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL, WHEN MEASURED
TO THE STANDARD, POSSESSES THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO PERFORM AS A FIRE
INVESTIGATOR." THE QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS OF NFPA 1033 ARE CONSIDERED
APPLICABLE TO BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FIRE INVESTIGATORS.
NFPA 1033 IS AN AMBITIOUS UNDERTAKING IN SEEKING TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL
STANDARDS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF FIRE INVESTIGATORS. IT
IS INTENDED TO ESTABLISH MINIMUM STANDARDS AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY
INTENT TO RESTRICT ANY JURISDICTION FROM ESTABLISHING HIGHER STANDARDS.
HOWEVER, NO JURISDICTION AND ONLY A SELECT FEW GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES HAVE
ESTABLISHED ANY STANDARDS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS OF FIRE INVESTIGATORS
AND IT REMAINS THE ONLY TRUE "STANDARD" IN EXISTENCE. CERTIFICATION
PROGRAMS OF ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARSON
INVESTIGATORS AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE INVESTIGATORS HAVE ESTABLISHED
CRITERIA FOR THE DESIGNATION OF "CERTIFIED" FIRE INVESTIGATORS.
THOSE PROGRAMS REMAIN VOLUNTARY AND THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BECOME
CERTIFIED UNDER THE PROGRAMS IS ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THOSE WHO CALL
THEMSELVES FIRE INVESTIGATORS. THE STANDARDS OF NFPA 1033 ARE THE ONLY PROFESSIONAL
QUALIFICATIONS STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO ALL FIRE INVESTIGATORS, YET THEY
HAVE LITTLE DIRECT APPLICATION OUTSIDE OF THE COURTROOM. WHETHER OR NOT
ONE IS DEEMED QUALIFIED UNDER THE STANDARDS OF NFPA 1033, VIRTUALLY ANYBODY
CAN CALL HIMSELF A "FIRE INVESTIGATOR" AND ENGAGE IN THE BUSINESS
OF FIRE INVESTIGATION. WHILE LICENSING REQUIREMENTS IN CERTAIN STATES CALL
FOR A BACKGROUND CHECK AND PROOF OF INSURANCE, THERE IS NO PROOF OF COMPETENCY
REQUIRED FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO SET UP BUSINESS AS A FIRE INVESTIGATOR. ONLY
AFTER THE FACT WILL AN INVESTIGATOR'S QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCY BE EXAMINED
UNDER THE STANDARDS OF NFPA 1033. IN THAT CONTEXT, HOWEVER, NFPA 1033 DOES
SERVE A USEFUL PURPOSE IN EXPOSING THE UNQUALIFIED AND INCOMPETENT FIRE
INVESTIGATOR.
NFPA 1033 SETS FORTH CERTAIN GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ESTABLISHING
AND MAINTAINING COMPETENCY AS A FIRE INVESTIGATOR. THE GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS
ARE AS FOLLOWS:
THE ONLY RIGID REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED ARE THAT THE INVESTIGATOR BE AT LEAST
18 YEARS OF AGE AND HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT CERTIFICATE.
THE OTHER CRITERIA ARE BROADLY WORDED AND SOMEWHAT VAGUE. THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
PRESUPPOSE THE INVOLVEMENT OF A GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY OR AUTHORITY EVALUATING
AND APPROVING INDIVIDUALS AS QUALIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATORS. HOWEVER, AS PREVIOUSLY
NOTED, FEW GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES HAVE IMPOSED SUCH REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
FOR THE QUALIFICATION OR CERTIFICATION OF FIRE INVESTIGATORS. AS A RESULT,
THESE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS ARE LARGELY INAPPLICABLE. UNTIL SUCH TIME AS
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION IS IMPOSED ON THE FIELD OF FIRE INVESTIGATION, THE
ONLY GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A FIRE INVESTIGATOR ARE ATTAINING THE AGE
OF 18, POSSESSING A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA OR EQUIVALENT AND "REMAINING
CURRENT" WITH CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THE FIELD.
BEYOND THE GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS CRITERIA REFERENCED ABOVE, NFPA 1033
DOES ESTABLISH A SERIES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED
OF A FIRE INVESTIGATOR. THERE ARE SIX GENERAL DUTIES, TWENTY-NINE SPECIFIC
DUTIES AND TWENTY-NINE CORRESPONDING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS PREREQUISITES
FOR A FIRE INVESTIGATOR TO BE QUALIFIED UNDER NFPA 1033. THESE COMPRISE
THE ESSENTIAL TEXT OF NFPA 1033 AND ARE ENUMERATED BELOW.
3-1 GENERAL.
3-1.1 THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR SHALL MEET THE JOB PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS
DEFINED IN SECTIONS 3-2 THROUGH 3-7. IN ADDITION, THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR
SHALL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF 2-2.1 THROUGH 2-2.3 OF NFPA 472, STANDARD
FOR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE OF RESPONDERS TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS.
3-1.2 THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR SHALL MAINTAIN APPROPRIATE LIAISON WITH
OTHER INTERESTED PROFESSIONALS DURING AN INVESTIGATION.
3-1.3 THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR SHALL ENSURE THAT DUE PROCESS OF LAW IS
SERVED.
3-2 SCENE EXAMINATION.
3-2.1 DESCRIPTION OF DUTY. TO INSPECT/EVALUATE THE SCENE SO AS TO DETERMINE
THE AREA/POINT OF ORIGIN, SOURCE OF IGNITION, MATERIAL(S) IGNITED, ACT
OR ACTIVITY THAT BROUGHT IGNITION SOURCE AND MATERIALS TOGETHER, AND ASSESS
THE SUBSEQUENT PROGRESSION, EXTINGUISHMENT, AND CONTAINMENT OF THE FIRE.
3-2.2 SECURE THE FIRE GROUND, GIVEN MARKING DEVICES, SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL
AND SPECIAL TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT, SO THAT UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS CAN RECOGNIZE
THE PERIMETERS OF THE INVESTIGATING SCENE, ARE KEPT FROM RESTRICTED AREAS,
AND ALL EVIDENCE OR POTENTIAL EVIDENCE IS PROTECTED FROM DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION.
3-2.2.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: KNOWLEDGE OF FIRE GROUND HAZARDS, TYPES
OF EVIDENCE, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FIRE SCENE SECURITY AND EVIDENCE PRESERVATION.
3-2.2.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: USE OF MARKING DEVICES.
3-2.3 CONDUCT AN EXTERIOR SURVEY, GIVEN STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS,
SO THAT EVIDENCE IS PRESERVED, FIRE DAMAGE IS INTERPRETED, HAZARDS ARE
IDENTIFIED TO AVOID INJURIES, ACCESSIBILITY TO THE PROPERTY IS DETERMINED,
AND ALL POTENTIAL MEANS OF INGRESS/EGRESS ARE DISCOVERED.
3-2.3.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: KNOWLEDGE OF THE TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
AND THE EFFECTS OF FIRE UPON CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, TYPES OF EVIDENCE
COMMONLY FOUND IN THE PERIMETER, EVIDENCE PRESERVATION METHODS, THE EFFECTS
OF FIRE SUPPRESSION, FIRE BEHAVIOR/SPREAD, AND BURN PATTERNS.
3-2.3.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: ASSESS FIRE GROUND AND STRUCTURAL CONDITION,
OBSERVE THE DAMAGE AND EFFECTS OF THE FIRE, AND INTERPRET BURN PATTERNS.
3-2.4 CONDUCT AN INTERIOR SURVEY, GIVEN STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS,
SO THAT AREAS OF POTENTIAL EVIDENTIARY VALUE REQUIRING FURTHER EXAMINATION
ARE IDENTIFIED AND PRESERVED, THE EVIDENTIARY VALUE OF CONTENTS IS DETERMINED,
AND HAZARDS ARE IDENTIFIED TO AVOID INJURIES.
3-2.4.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: KNOWLEDGE OF THE TYPES OF BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
AND INTERIOR FINISH AND THE EFFECTS OF FIRE UPON THOSE MATERIALS, THE EFFECTS
OF FIRE SUPPRESSION, FIRE BEHAVIOR/SPREAD, EVIDENCE PRESERVATION METHODS,
BURN PATTERNS, EFFECTS OF BUILDING CONTENTS ON FIRE GROWTH, AND THE RELATIONSHIP
OF CONTENTS TO THE OVERALL INVESTIGATION.
3-2.4.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: ASSESS STRUCTURAL CONDITIONS, OBSERVE THE
DAMAGE AND EFFECTS OF THE FIRE, DISCOVER THE IMPACT OF FIRE SUPPRESSION
EFFORTS ON FIRE FLOW AND HEAT PROPAGATION, AND EVALUATE PROTECTED AREAS
TO DETERMINE THE PRESENCE AND/OR ABSENCE OF CONTENTS.
3-2.5 INTERPRET BURN PATTERNS, GIVEN STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS AND
SOME STRUCTURAL/CONTENT REMAINS, SO THAT EACH INDIVIDUAL PATTERN IS EVALUATED
WITH RESPECT TO THE BURNING CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MATERIAL INVOLVED.
3-2.5.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: KNOWLEDGE OF FIRE DEVELOPMENT AND THE
INTERRELATIONSHIP OF HEAT RELEASE RATE, FORM, AND IGNITIBILITY OF MATERIALS.
3-2.5.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: INTERPRET THE EFFECTS OF BURNING CHARACTERISTICS
ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF MATERIALS.
3-2.6 CORRELATE BURN PATTERNS, GIVEN STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS AND
SOME STRUCTURAL/CONTENT REMAINS, SO THAT FIRE DEVELOPMENT IS DETERMINED,
METHODS AND EFFECTS OF SUPPRESSION ARE EVALUATED, FALSE ORIGIN AREA PATTERNS
ARE RECOGNIZED, AND ALL AREAS OF ORIGIN ARE CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED.
3-2.6.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: KNOWLEDGE OF FIRE BEHAVIOR/SPREAD BASED
ON FIRE CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS, FIRE SUPPRESSION EFFECTS, AND BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.
3-2.6.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: INTERPRET VARIATIONS OF BURN PATTERNS ON
DIFFERENT MATERIALS WITH CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO HEAT RELEASE RATE, FORM,
AND IGNITIBILITY; DISTINGUISH IMPACT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUEL LOADS;
EVALUATE FUEL TRAILS; AND ANALYZE AND SYNTHESIZE INFORMATION.
3-2.7 EXAMINE AND REMOVE FIRE DEBRIS, GIVEN STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS,
SO THAT ALL DEBRIS IS CHECKED FOR FIRE CAUSE EVIDENCE, THE IGNITION SOURCE(S)
IS IDENTIFIED, THE FIRE CAUSE IS DETERMINED, AND EVIDENCE IS PRESERVED
WITHOUT INVESTIGATOR-INFLICTED DAMAGE OR CONTAMINATION.
3-2.7.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF IGNITION PROCESSES,
CHARACTERISTICS OF IGNITION SOURCES, AND EASE OF IGNITION OF FUELS, DEBRIS-LAYERING
TECHNIQUES, USE OF TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT DURING THE DEBRIS SEARCH, TYPES
OF FIRE CAUSE EVIDENCE COMMONLY FOUND IN VARIOUS DEGREES OF DAMAGE, AND
EVIDENCE-GATHERING METHODS AND DOCUMENTATION.
3-2.7.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: EMPLOY SEARCH TECHNIQUES THAT FURTHER THE
DISCOVERY OF FIRE CAUSE EVIDENCE AND IGNITION SOURCES, USE SEARCH TECHNIQUES
THAT INCORPORATE DOCUMENTATION, AND COLLECT AND PRESERVE EVIDENCE.
3-2.8 RECONSTRUCT THE AREA OF ORIGIN, GIVEN STANDARD AND IF NEEDED,
SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS AS WELL AS SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL, SO THAT ALL
PROTECTED AREAS AND BURN PATTERNS ARE IDENTIFIED AND CORRELATED TO CONTENTS/STRUCTURAL
REMAINS, ITEMS POTENTIALLY CRITICAL TO CAUSE DETERMINATION AND PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
ARE RETURNED TO THEIR PRE-FIRE LOCATION, AND THE POINT(S) OF ORIGIN IS
DISCOVERED.
3-2.8.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: KNOWLEDGE OF THE EFFECTS OF FIRE ON
DIFFERENT TYPES OF MATERIAL AND THE IMPORTANCE AND USES OF RECONSTRUCTION.
3-2.8.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: EXAMINE ALL MATERIALS TO DETERMINE THE EFFECTS
OF FIRE, IDENTIFY AND DISTINGUISH AMONG DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRE-DAMAGED
CONTENTS, AND RETURN MATERIALS TO THEIR ORIGINAL POSITION USING PROTECTED
AREAS AND BURN PATTERNS.
3-2.9 INSPECT THE PERFORMANCE OF BUILDING SYSTEMS, INCLUDING DETECTION,
SUPPRESSION, HVAC, UTILITIES, AND BUILDING COMPARTMENTATION, GIVEN STANDARD
AND SPECIAL EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS, SO THAT A DETERMINATION CAN BE MADE AS
TO THE NEED FOR EXPERT RESOURCES, AN OPERATING SYSTEMS IMPACT ON FIRE GROWTH
AND SPREAD IS CONSIDERED IN IDENTIFYING ORIGIN AREAS, AND DEFEATED SYSTEMS
ARE IDENTIFIED.
3-2.9.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: DIFFERENT TYPES OF DETECTION, SUPPRESSION,
HVAC, UTILITY, AND BUILDING COMPARTMENTATION SUCH AS FIRE WALLS AND FIRE
DOORS; TYPES OF EXPERT RESOURCES FOR BUILDING SYSTEMS; THE IMPACT OF FIRE
ON VARIOUS SYSTEMS; AND COMMON METHODS USED TO DEFEAT A SYSTEM'S FUNCTIONAL
CAPABILITY.
3-2.9.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: DETERMINE THE SYSTEMS OPERATION AND ITS
EFFECT ON THE FIRE, IDENTIFY ALTERATIONS TO BUILDING SYSTEMS, AND EVALUATE
THE IMPACT OF SUPPRESSION EFFORTS ON BUILDING SYSTEMS.
3-2.10 DISCRIMINATE THE EFFECTS OF EXPLOSIONS FROM OTHER TYPES OF DAMAGE,
GIVEN STANDARD EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS, SO THAT AN EXPLOSION IS IDENTIFIED
AND ITS EVIDENCE IS PRESERVED.
3-2.10.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: DIFFERENT TYPES OF EXPLOSIONS AND THEIR
CAUSES, CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EXPLOSION, AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LOW-
AND HIGH-ORDER EXPLOSIONS.
3-2.10.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: IDENTIFY EXPLOSIVE EFFECTS ON GLASS, WALLS,
FOUNDATIONS, AND OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS; DISTINGUISH BETWEEN LOW- AND
HIGH-ORDER EXPLOSION EFFECTS; AND ANALYZE DAMAGE TO DOCUMENT THE BLAST
ZONE AND ORIGIN.
3-3 DOCUMENTING THE SCENE.
3-3.1 DUTIES SHALL INCLUDE DIAGRAMMING THE SCENE, PHOTOGRAPHING, AND
TAKING FIELD NOTES TO BE USED TO COMPILE A FINAL REPORT.
3-3.2 DIAGRAM THE SCENE, GIVEN STANDARD TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT, SO THAT
THE SCENE IS ACCURATELY REPRESENTED AND EVIDENCE, PERTINENT CONTENTS, SIGNIFICANT
PATTERNS, AND ORIGIN AREAS/POINTS ARE IDENTIFIED.
3-3.2.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: COMMONLY USED SYMBOLS AND LEGENDS THAT
CLARIFY THE DIAGRAM, TYPES OF EVIDENCE AND PATTERNS THAT NEED TO BE DOCUMENTED,
AND FORMATS FOR DIAGRAMMING THE SCENE.
3-3.2.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: ABILITY TO SKETCH THE SCENE, BASIC DRAFTING
SKILLS, AND EVIDENCE RECOGNITION AND OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS.
3-3.3 PHOTOGRAPHICALLY DOCUMENT THE SCENE, GIVEN STANDARD TOOLS AND
EQUIPMENT, SO THAT THE SCENE IS ACCURATELY DEPICTED AND THE PHOTOGRAPHS
APPROPRIATELY SUPPORT SCENE FINDINGS.
3-3.3.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF A 35-MM CAMERA
AND FLASH, TYPES OF 35-MM CAMERAS, AND TYPES OF FILM AND FLASH AVAILABLE,
AS WELL AS THE STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF EACH.
3-3.3.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: ABILITY TO USE A 35-MM CAMERA AND FLASH.
3-3.4 CONSTRUCT INVESTIGATIVE NOTES, GIVEN A FIRE SCENE, AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS
(E.G., PRE-FIRE PLANS, INSPECTION REPORTS, ETC.), AND INTERVIEW INFORMATION,
SO THAT THE NOTES ARE ACCURATE, PROVIDE FURTHER DOCUMENTATION OF THE SCENE,
AND REPRESENT COMPLETE DOCUMENTATION OF THE SCENE FINDINGS.
3-3.4.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NOTES, DIAGRAMS,
AND PHOTOS; HOW TO REDUCE SCENE INFORMATION INTO CONCISE NOTES; AND THE
USE OF NOTES DURING REPORT WRITING AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
3-3.4.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: DATA REDUCTION SKILLS, NOTE TAKING SKILLS,
OBSERVATIONAL AND CORRELATING SKILLS.
3-4 EVIDENCE COLLECTION/PRESERVATION.
3-4.1 DUTIES SHALL INCLUDE USING PROPER PHYSICAL AND LEGAL PROCEDURES
TO RETAIN EVIDENCE REQUIRED WITHIN THE INVESTIGATION.
3-4.2 UTILIZE PROPER PROCEDURES FOR MANAGING VICTIMS AND FATALITIES,
GIVEN A PROTOCOL AND APPROPRIATE PERSONNEL, SO THAT ALL EVIDENCE IS DISCOVERED
AND PRESERVED AND THE PROTOCOL PROCEDURES ARE FOLLOWED.
3-4.2.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: TYPES OF EVIDENCE ASSOCIATED WITH FIRE
VICTIMS AND FATALITIES AND EVIDENCE PRESERVATION METHODS.
3-4.2.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: OBSERVATIONAL SKILLS AND THE ABILITY TO
APPLY PROTOCOLS TO GIVEN SITUATIONS.
3-4.3 SELECT APPROPRIATE EVIDENCE FOR ANALYSIS, GIVEN INFORMATION FROM
THE INVESTIGATIVE FILE, SO THAT SAMPLES FORWARDED FOR ANALYSIS SUPPORT
SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIVE NEEDS.
3-4.3.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: KNOWLEDGE OF THE CAPABILITIES OF THE
SERVICES PERFORMING THE ANALYSIS, PURPOSES FOR SUBMITTING SAMPLES, AND
TYPES OF ANALYTICAL SERVICES AVAILABLE.
3-4.3.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: EVALUATE THE FIRE INCIDENT TO DETERMINE
FORENSIC, ENGINEERING, OR LABORATORY NEEDS.
3-4.4 COLLECT AND PACKAGE EVIDENCE, GIVEN STANDARD TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION MATERIALS, SO THAT EVIDENCE IS IDENTIFIED, PRESERVED,
COLLECTED, AND PACKAGED TO AVOID CONTAMINATION AND INVESTIGATOR-INFLICTED
DAMAGE AND THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY IS ESTABLISHED.
3-4.4.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: TYPES OF EVIDENCE (EXCLUSIONARY OR FIRE-CAUSE
SUPPORTIVE EVIDENCE), TYPES OF LABORATORY TESTS AVAILABLE, PACKAGING TECHNIQUES
AND MATERIALS, AND IMPACT OF EVIDENCE COLLECTION ON THE INVESTIGATION.
3-4.4.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: ABILITY TO RECOGNIZE DIFFERENT TYPES OF
EVIDENCE AND DETERMINE EVIDENCE CRITICAL TO THE INVESTIGATION.
3-4.5 MAINTAIN A CHAIN OF CUSTODY, GIVEN STANDARD INVESTIGATIVE TOOLS,
MARKING TOOLS, AND EVIDENCE TAGS/LOGS, SO THAT WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION EXISTS
FOR EACH PIECE OF EVIDENCE AND EVIDENCE IS SECURED.
3-4.5.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: RULES OF CUSTODY AND TRANSFER PROCEDURES,
TYPES OF EVIDENCE (E.G., PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OBTAINED AT THE SCENE, PHOTOS,
DOCUMENTS, ETC.) AND METHODS OF RECORDING THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY.
3-4.5.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: ABILITY TO EXECUTE THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY
PROCEDURES AND ACCURATELY COMPLETE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS.
3-4.6 DISPOSE OF EVIDENCE, GIVEN JURISDICTIONAL/ AGENCY REGULATIONS
AND FILE INFORMATION, SO THAT THE DISPOSAL IS TIMELY, SAFELY CONDUCTED,
AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH JURISDICTIONAL/AGENCY REQUIREMENTS.
3-4.6.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: DISPOSAL SERVICES AVAILABLE AND COMMON
DISPOSAL PROCEDURES AND PROBLEMS.
3-4.6.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: DOCUMENTATION SKILLS.
3-5 INTERVIEW/INTERROGATION.
3-5.1 DUTIES SHALL INCLUDE OBTAINING INFORMATION REGARDING THE OVERALL
FIRE INVESTIGATION FROM OTHERS THROUGH VERBAL COMMUNICATION.
3-5.2 DEVELOP AN INTERVIEW PLAN, GIVEN NO SPECIAL TOOLS OR EQUIPMENT,
SO THAT THE PLAN REFLECTS A STRATEGY TO FURTHER DETERMINE THE FIRE CAUSE
AND AFFIX RESPONSIBILITY AND INCLUDES A RELEVANT QUESTIONING STRATEGY FOR
EACH INDIVIDUAL TO BE INTERVIEWED THAT PROMOTES THE EFFICIENT USE OF THE
INVESTIGATOR'S TIME.
3-5.2.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: PERSONS WHO MAY PROVIDE INFORMATION
THAT FURTHERS THE FIRE CAUSE DETERMINATION OR THE AFFIXING OF RESPONSIBILITY,
TYPES OF QUESTIONS THAT ARE PERTINENT AND EFFICIENT TO ASK OF DIFFERENT
INFORMATION SOURCES (FIRE DEPARTMENT, NEIGHBORS, WITNESSES, SUSPECTS, ETC.),
AND PROS AND CONS OF INTERVIEWS VERSUS DOCUMENT GATHERING.
3-5.2.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: PLANNING SKILLS, DEVELOPMENT OF FOCUSED
QUESTIONS FOR SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS, AND EVALUATION OF EXISTING FILE DATA
TO HELP DEVELOP QUESTIONS AND FILL INVESTIGATIVE GAPS.
3-5.3 CONDUCT INTERVIEWS OR INTERROGATIONS, GIVEN INCIDENT INFORMATION,
SO THAT PERTINENT INFORMATION IS OBTAINED, FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS ARE ASKED,
RESPONSES TO ALL QUESTIONS ARE ELICITED, AND THE RESPONSE TO EACH QUESTION
IS DOCUMENTED ACCURATELY.
3-5.3.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: KNOWLEDGE OF TYPES OF INTERVIEWS, PERSONAL
INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PROPER DOCUMENTATION OR FOLLOW-UP DOCUMENTING METHODS
AND TOOLS, AND TYPES OF NONVERBAL COMMUNICATIONS AND THEIR MEANING.
3-5.3.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: ADJUST INTERVIEWING STRATEGIES BASED ON
DEDUCTIVE REASONING, INTERPRET VERBAL AND NONVERBAL COMMUNICATIONS, APPLY
APPLICABLE LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, AND EXHIBIT STRONG LISTENING SKILLS.
3-5.4 EVALUATE INTERVIEW INFORMATION, GIVEN INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS OR
NOTES AND INCIDENT DATE, SO THAT ALL INTERVIEW DATA IS INDIVIDUALLY ANALYZED
AND CORRELATED WITH ALL OTHER INTERVIEWS, CORROBORATIVE AND CONFLICTIVE
INFORMATION IS DOCUMENTED, AND NEW LEADS ARE DISCOVERED.
3-5.4.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: TYPES OF INTERVIEWS, REPORT EVALUATION
METHODS, AND DATA CORRELATING METHODS.
3-5.4.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: DATA CORRELATING SKILLS AND THE ABILITY
TO EVALUATE SOURCE INFORMATION (E.G., FIRE DEPARTMENT, WITNESS, ETC.).
3-6 POST-INCIDENT INVESTIGATION.
3-6.1 DUTIES SHALL INCLUDE THE INVESTIGATION OF ALL FACTORS BEYOND THE
FIRE SCENE AT THE TIME OF THE ORIGIN AND CAUSE DETERMINATION.
3-6.2 GATHER REPORTS AND RECORDS, GIVEN NO SPECIAL TOOLS, EQUIPMENT,
OR MATERIALS, SO THAT ALL GATHERED DOCUMENTS ARE APPROPRIATE TO THE INVESTIGATION,
COMPLETE, AND AUTHENTIC, THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY IS MAINTAINED, AND THE MATERIAL
IS ACCEPTABLE TO THE COURTS.
3-6.2.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: TYPES OF REPORTS NEEDED THAT FACILITATE
DETERMINING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE (E.G., POLICE REPORTS, FIRE REPORTS,
INSURANCE POLICIES, FINANCIAL RECORDS, DEEDS, PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR REPORTS,
OUTSIDE PHOTOS, AND VIDEOS, ETC.) AND LOCATION OF THESE REPORTS.
3-6.2.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: IDENTIFY THE PROPER REPORTS AND DOCUMENTS
NECESSARY FOR THE INVESTIGATION, IMPLEMENTING THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY, AND
ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS.
3-6.3 EVALUATE THE INVESTIGATIVE FILE, GIVEN ALL AVAILABLE FILE INFORMATION,
SO THAT AREAS FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION ARE IDENTIFIED, THE RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN GATHERED DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION IS INTERPRETED, AND CORROBORATIVE
EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION DISCREPANCIES ARE DISCOVERED.
3-6.3.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: FILE ASSESSMENT AND/OR EVALUATION METHODS,
PROPER AND ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION, AND PROPER CONTENTS OF INVESTIGATIVE
FINDINGS AND GATHERED DOCUMENTATION.
3-6.3.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: INFORMATION ASSESSMENT AND CORRELATION SKILLS
AND ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS.
3-6.4 COORDINATE EXPERT RESOURCES, GIVEN THE INVESTIGATIVE FILE, REPORTS,
AND DOCUMENTS, SO THAT THE EXPERT'S COMPETENCIES ARE MATCHED TO THE SPECIFIC
INVESTIGATION NEEDS, FINANCIAL EXPENDITURES ARE JUSTIFIED, AND UTILIZATION
CLEARLY FURTHERS THE INVESTIGATION TOWARD THE GOALS OF CAUSATION DETERMINATION
OR AFFIXING RESPONSIBILITY.
3-6.4.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: KNOWLEDGE OF THE INVESTIGATOR'S OWN
EXPERTISE, QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR EXPERT TESTIMONY, TYPES OF EXPERT
RESOURCES (E.G., FORENSIC, CPA, POLYGRAPH, FINANCIAL, HUMAN BEHAVIORAL
DISORDERS, ENGINEERING, ETC.), AND METHODS TO IDENTIFY EXPERT RESOURCES.
3-6.4.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF EXPERT RESOURCES
TO FURTHER THE INVESTIGATION, NETWORK WITH OTHER INVESTIGATORS TO IDENTIFY
EXPERTS, QUESTION EXPERTS RELATIVE TO THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, AND PLAN UTILIZATION
OF EXPERT RESOURCES.
3-6.5 ESTABLISH EVIDENCE AS TO MOTIVE AND/OR OPPORTUNITY, GIVEN AN INCENDIARY
FIRE, SO THAT THE EVIDENCE IS THE RESULT OF A PRUDENT AND COMPLETE INVESTIGATION,
IS SUPPORTED BY DOCUMENTATION, AND THE EVIDENCE MEETS THE EVIDENTIARY REQUIREMENTS
OF THE JURISDICTION.
3-6.5.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: TYPES OF MOTIVES COMMON TO INCENDIARY
FIRE INVESTIGATION, METHODS USED TO DISCOVER OPPORTUNITY, AND UNDERSTANDING
HUMAN BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS RELATIVE TO FIRE SETTING.
3-6.5.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, RECORDS GATHERING AND
ANALYSIS, INTERVIEWING, AND INTERPRETING FIRE SCENE INFORMATION AND EVIDENCE
FOR RELATIONSHIP TO MOTIVE AND/OR OPPORTUNITY.
3-6.6 FORMULATE AN OPINION OF THE PERSON(S) AND/OR PRODUCT(S) RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE FIRE, GIVEN ALL INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS, SO THAT THE OPINION REGARDING
RESPONSIBILITY FOR A FIRE IS SUPPORTED BY ALL RECORDS, REPORTS, DOCUMENTS,
AND EVIDENCE.
3-6.6.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: ANALYTICAL METHODS AND PROCEDURES SUCH
AS DATA REDUCTION MATRIXING, HYPOTHESIS TESTING, AND SYSTEMS ANALYSIS,
ETC.
3-6.6.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: ANALYTICAL AND ASSIMILATION SKILLS.
3-7 PRESENTATIONS.
3-7.1 DUTIES SHALL INCLUDE THE ABILITY TO PRESENT FINDINGS TO THOSE
INDIVIDUALS NOT INVOLVED IN THE ACTUAL INVESTIGATION.
3-7.2 PREPARE A WRITTEN INVESTIGATION REPORT, GIVEN INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS,
DOCUMENTATION, AND A SPECIFIC AUDIENCE, SO THAT THE REPORT ACCURATELY REFLECTS
THE INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS, IS CONCISE, EXPRESSES THE INVESTIGATOR'S OPINION,
AND IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE INTENDED AUDIENCE(S).
3-7.2.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: ELEMENTS OF WRITING, TYPICAL COMPONENTS
OF A WRITTEN REPORT, AND TYPES OF AUDIENCES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE NEEDS.
3-7.2.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: WRITING SKILLS, ABILITY TO ANALYZE INFORMATION
AND APPLY DEDUCTIVE REASONING, AND ABILITY TO DETERMINE THE READER'S NEEDS.
3-7.3 EXPRESS INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS VERBALLY, GIVEN INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS,
NOTES, A TIME ALLOTMENT, AND A SPECIFIC AUDIENCE, SO THAT THE INFORMATION
IS ACCURATE, THE PRESENTATION IS COMPLETED WITHIN THE ALLOTTED TIME, AND
THE PRESENTATION INCLUDES ONLY NEED-TO-KNOW INFORMATION FOR THE INTENDED
AUDIENCE.
3-7.3.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: TYPES OF INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS, THE
INFORMATIONAL NEEDS OF VARIOUS TYPES OF AUDIENCES, AND THE IMPACT OF RELEASING
INFORMATION.
3-7.3.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: COMMUNICATION SKILLS, ABILITY TO DETERMINE
AUDIENCE NEEDS, AND ABILITY TO CORRELATE FINDINGS.
3-7.4 TESTIFY DURING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, GIVEN INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS,
CONTENTS OF REPORTS, AND CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL, SO THAT ALL PERTINENT
INVESTIGATIVE INFORMATION IS PRESENTED CLEARLY AND ACCURATELY AND THE INVESTIGATOR'S
DEMEANOR IS APPROPRIATE TO THE PROCEEDING.
3-7.4.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: TYPES OF INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS, THE
UNDERSTANDING OF THE TYPES OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, APPROPRIATE DEMEANOR FOR
EACH, AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
3-7.4.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: COMMUNICATION AND LISTENING SKILLS; ABILITY
TO DIFFERENTIATE FACTS FROM OPINIONS; AND ABILITY TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE
PROCEDURES, PRACTICES, AND ETIQUETTE DURING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
3-7.5 CONDUCT PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATIONS, GIVEN RELATIVE DATA,
SO THAT INFORMATION IS ACCURATE, APPROPRIATE TO THE AUDIENCE, AND CLEARLY
SUPPORTS THE INFORMATION NEEDS OF THE AUDIENCE.
3-7.5.1 PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE: TYPES OF DATA AVAILABLE REGARDING THE
FIRE LOSS PROBLEM AND THE ISSUES ABOUT WHICH THE COMMUNITY MUST KNOW.
3-7.5.2 PREREQUISITE SKILL: ABILITY TO ASSEMBLE, ORGANIZE, AND PRESENT
INFORMATION.
NFPA 1033 INCORPORATES NFPA 472 STANDARD FOR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
OF RESPONDERS TO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS AS THE ONLY OTHER DOCUMENT
CONSIDERED PART OF THE PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS CRITERIA FOR FIRE INVESTIGATORS.
NFPA 921 GUIDE FOR FIRE AND EXPLOSION INVESTIGATIONS AND NFPA 907M MANUAL
FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ELECTRICAL FIRE CAUSES ARE IDENTIFIED AS RECOMMENDED
REFERENCE SOURCES ONLY AND ARE NOT CONSIDERED REQUISITE MATERIALS UNDER
NFPA 1033. (NFPA 907M HAS BEEN INCORPORATED INTO THE 1995 EDITION OF NFPA
921 AND NO LONGER EXISTS AS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT.)
IN IDENTIFYING THE SIX GENERAL DUTIES AND TWENTY-NINE SPECIFIC DUTIES
OF A FIRE INVESTIGATOR, NFPA 1033 ESTABLISHES THE SCOPE OF A PROPER FIRE
SCENE INVESTIGATION. THESE DUTIES PROVIDE THE FRAME- WORK FOR A COMPLETE
AND COMPETENT INVESTIGATION BY A FIRE INVESTIGATOR. HOWEVER, WITHIN THOSE
OBJECTIVE STANDARDS THERE IS A DECIDEDLY SUBJECTIVE COMPONENT IN MANY OF
THEM. WHAT MUST BE DONE IS CLEARLY STATED: HOW IT MUST BE DONE IS NOT. NFPA
921 PROVIDES THE MECHANICS OF A PROPER FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION IN DETAILING
HOW THE JOB SHOULD BE DONE. IRONICALLY, NFPA 1033 IS A NATIONAL STANDARD
CARRYING THE FULL WEIGHT OF THE NFPA'S AUTHORITY, YET THE SPECIFIC TECHNIQUES
AND METHODOLOGIES OF A PROPER FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION ARE SET FORTH IN
NFPA 921, A RECOMMENDED "GUIDE" WHICH IS ONLY A REFERENCE SOURCE
FOR FIRE INVESTIGATORS.
SIMILARLY, THE TWENTY-NINE PREREQUISITE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AREAS OF
NFPA 1033 ARE EVEN MORE SUBJECTIVE IN THEIR CONTENT. NFPA 921 PROVIDES OBJECTIVE
GUIDANCE FOR THE MEASURE OF A FIRE INVESTIGATOR'S KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN
ONLY A SELECT FEW AREAS. IN THE END, THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR IS CHARGED WITH
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF POSSESSING KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS IN THOSE TWENTY-NINE
AREAS WITHOUT OBJECTIVE MEASURES TO APPLY IN DETERMINING THE TRUE DEPTH
OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS POSSESSED BY THE INVESTIGATOR. INTERESTINGLY, PRIOR
TO THE REVISION OF NFPA 1033 IN FEBRUARY OF 1993 THERE WERE SPECIFIC, OBJECTIVE
STANDARDS OF COMPETENCY WITHIN THE DOCUMENT. THE PRIOR EDITIONS OF NFPA
1033 CONTAINED A DETAILED LIST OF PARTICULAR FIRE SCIENCE ISSUES REQUIRED
TO BE KNOWN BY THE INVESTIGATOR IN ORDER TO BE PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED.
IT SERVED AS A VIRTUAL CHECKLIST OF BASIC FIRE SCIENCE KNOWLEDGE WHICH COULD
BE USED TO TEST THE INVESTIGATOR'S EXPERTISE. THE KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE ISSUES
REMAINS AN IMPLICIT REQUIREMENT UNDER NFPA 1033, YET THEIR DELETION FROM
EDITIONS AFTER 1993 REMOVED THE ABILITY TO CONFIRM THAT KNOWLEDGE OBJECTIVELY.
IN THAT REGARD, THE CURRENT EDITION OF NFPA 1033 REPRESENTS A LESS CHALLENGING
TEST AS A NATIONAL STANDARD OF COMPETENCY FOR FIRE INVESTIGATORS.
DESPITE THIS REVISION TO THE CURRENT EDITION OF NFPA 1033, IT STILL REMAINS
AN IMPORTANT TOOL IN PROMOTING STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY FOR
FIRE INVESTIGATORS. IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE DOCUMENT WHICH METICULOUSLY DETAILS
THE FULL SCOPE OF A PROPER FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION AND CATALOGS THE NECESSARY
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO CONDUCT THE INVESTIGATION. WHILE THE UNQUALIFIED
OR INCOMPETENT FIRE INVESTIGATOR MAY NOT BE AS EASILY EXPOSED FOR HIS LACK
OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE UNDER CURRENT NFPA 1033, AN INADEQUATE OR INCOMPLETE
INVESTIGATION WILL BE EXPOSED. MOREOVER, ALTHOUGH NFPA 921 IS LABELED A
"GUIDELINE" FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF FIRES AND IS ONLY A REFERENCED
RESOURCE UNDER NFPA 1033, IT HAS BEEN USED WITH DEVASTATING EFFECTIVENESS
IN THE COURTROOM TO POINT OUT THE LACK OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE ON THE PART
OF UNQUALIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATORS. ULTIMATELY, A PROPERLY CONDUCTED FIRE
SCENE INVESTIGATION BY A COMPETENT AND PROFESSIONALLY QUALIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR
REPRESENTS THE BEST DETERRENT TO THOSE WHO WOULD SEEK TO ADVANCE INADEQUATE
OR IMPROPER FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATIONS AS CASE-MAKERS. IN THE BRIGHT LIGHT
OF A COURTROOM, THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS BE RECOGNIZED. THE FINAL MEASURE OF
COMPETENCY IS TAKEN THERE, BY THE CITIZENS WHO SERVE AS JURORS.
NFPA 1033: Are You Qualified?
Reprinted with permission from the author.