Preserving A Fire Scene

Question 1

Guarding and controlling the scene

Answer 1

Must be controlled and protected from the time fire/police arrive until scene exam complete

Fire to secure while fire being extinguished

Police considerations
• ensuring scene is not interfered with 
• exclusion and control of onlookers, property owners/other interested parties
• preserving evidence
• preventing looting 

Police should also
• be aware of reigniting from hotspots after fire extinguished
• be vigilant and watch for possible suspects
• identify any witnesses among onlookers and passers by
• report all matters of significance to the O/C investigation and or scene coordinator

Question 2

How to prevent fire scene contamination

Answer 2

Limit unnecessary operations within the area of origin

Consider

SCOPE - how much of the area needs to be preserved

CORDON - identify centre of the scene, tape off outside what is considered to be the most obvious item of evidence that is furthest from the centre of scene

COMMON APPROACH PATH - traffic should be limited to “corridors”. Paths which will keep disturbance of the scene to a minimum. Areas to be used as corridors to be searched prior to receiving traffic.

Question 3

Scene Preservation

Answer 3

SCOPE
how much needs to be preserved
(single room, entire building, outside areas)

CORDON
Identify centre of the scene
Tape off outside what is considered to be the most obvious item of evidence furthest from the centre of the scene. In large scenes natural boundaries can be used

COMMON APPROACH PATH
Traffic should be limited to “corridors”, paths will keep disturbance to a minimum.
Search areas to be used as corridors prior to receiving traffic.

Question 4

Where it’s difficult to preserve the scene

Answer 4

Record the scene prior to demolition by

Sketches
Photographs
Plans
Video recordings