Unit 10: Documentation and Report Writting

Question 1

1033 states duties regarding reports shall include:

Answer 1

diagramming the scene,

photographing

taking field notes

Question 2

Finished Diagram

Answer 2

• A finished diagram is a diagram of the fire’s origin and spread.
• Include the phrase “not to scale.”
• Based on rough sketch.

Question 3

Photographs may be some of the most
persuasive factors! Complete documentation
includes:

Answer 3

• Exterior and interior.
• Area/Point of origin.
• Victim and injuries.
• Witnesses (including the crowd).
• Evidence.

Question 4

Witness Viewpoint

Answer 4

• Photographs should be taken from the
location where the witness described
seeing the incident.

• Used to corroborate witnesses’ statements.

Question 5

Exterior Photos

Answer 5

• All sides of structure
photographed.

• Exterior openings.
• Utilities.
• Address.
• Location of damage.
• Evidence found outside.
• Other items?

Question 6

Interior Photos

Answer 6

All rooms and areas should 
be photographed including:
•   Contents.
•   Storage.
•   Living conditions.
•   Closet, dresser contents.
•   All utilities within the area 
of origin.
•   Ignition sources.

Question 7

Generally, reports
should contain the following, preferably in the
introduction:

Answer 7

• Date, time and location of incident.
• Date and location of examination.
• Date the report was prepared.

Question 8

ORIGIN AND CAUSE REPORT

FORMAT

Answer 8

• Section 1 — fire overview (identify need/
define problem).

• Section 2 — witness statements, building
construction, scene processing (collect data).

• Section 3 — documentation, evidence, lab
reports (analyze data and form working
hypothesis, test hypothesis).

• Section 4 — conclusion/opinion (final
hypothesis).

Question 9

Section 1

Answer 9

Basic information:
date, time, address,
owner, occupant, date of examination, type of
loss, weather conditions, fire department
information.

Question 10

Section 1

Answer 10

Synopsis of incident:
On March 3, 2015, at
approximately 11:19 p.m., the Whitesville Fire
Department responded to a structure fire at
2126 State Road, Deep Gap, North Carolina.
On March 4, 2015, the Watauga County Fire
Marshal conducted a fire scene investigation.

Question 11

Section 2

Answer 11

Summary of witness statements:
brief summary of witnesses, firefighters, law
enforcement or others. This section may
vary in level of detail.
•
Description of building construction:
general description of building, utilities, fire
protection systems. This section will vary
in level of detail.

Question 12

Section 3

Answer 12

Scene processing and findings:

On March 6, 2015, an initial assessment of the fire scene was conducted; that exam included an evaluation of the remaining fire patterns, collection of witness information, identification of electrical artifac(s) and an assessment of the dynamics of a
developing fire.
• List out rooms examined, items examined;
narrate process involved with scene processing

Question 13

Section 3 and 4

Answer 13

Evidence collection:
This section details and lists all
evidence collected and laboratory analysis performed.
•
Section 4:
Conclusion:
Based on witness interviews, reviewed
documents, physical evidence, fire patterns, and the
dynamics of a developing fire as evaluated within the
parameters of a fire scene inspection, it has been
determined this fire originated in the first floor bedroom, on the side of the mattress. The source of ignition was an open flame from a BIC lighter. This fire is classified as “Accidental.”

Question 14

Report examples (wording)

Answer 14

• “… At this time, and in accordance with NFPA 921,
this fire must be categorized as ‘undetermined.’
• However, as the investigation of this fire is ongoing
we reserve the right to change or supplement this
finding based on new or additional information
which may subsequently be determined.
• An undetermined fire classification does not mean
this fire was not caused by an intentional human
act, and further investigation of this loss may be
warranted.”

Question 15

Example Disclaimer

Answer 15

“The data contained in this investigation summary is
true and accurate based on the information
available at the time it was written.
Findings, opinions and conclusion may change if
additional information is discovered after this report
is written.
Should additional information become available at a
later date, we reserve our right to evaluate that new
information.”

Question 16

Origin and Cause reports must have:

Answer 16

• The ignition sequence:
– The first fuel ignited.
– The ignition source.
– The action, event or circumstances that
brought the fuel and ignition source together.

• The causation factors should be identified
if known.
• The fire may be classified in the report as
well.