Official Protocol
Fire and Arson Scene Evidence
Section A.
Establishing the Role of First Responders (page 13)
First responders should recognize items that may have evidentiary value in a subsequent investigation and take steps to protect them from damage that could result from the fire, fire suppression, or rescue efforts. (Page 18)
The actions of first responders at a fire scene are not only critical to saving lives and suppressing fires; they also set the stage for the investigators arriving to process the scene by establishing a controlled security perimeter and initiating documentation of the scene. (Page 19)
Section B.
Evaluating the Scene (Page 21)
B. (Page 25) Know when to contact or request the assistance of specialized personnel and to obtain specialized equipment as required to assist with the investigation. For a comprehensive discussion of suggested equipment and tools, see NFPA 921. Standard equipment should include the following:
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Barrier tape (There are fourteen items in total listed.)
Section C.
Documenting the Scene (Page 29)
The scene should be photographed prior to the disturbance or
removal of any evidence and throughout the scene investigation. The investigator (or other individual responsible for evidence) should: ....
Photographic documentation provides a permanent record of the scene. (Page 30)
Written descriptions of the scene, along with accurate sketches and measurements, are invaluable for focusing the investigation. Written scene documentation recreates the scene for investigative, scientific analysis, and judicial purposes and correlates with photographic evidence. (Page 30)
Section D.
Processing Evidence at the Scene (Page 31)
Proper collection and packaging preserve the value of physical evidence. (Page 32)
Maintaining the chain of custody for evidence, from collection through final disposition, ensures its integrity. (Page 34)
Section E.
Completing the Scene Investigation (Page 35)
1.
Release the Scene
The investigator should ensure that the scene is not released until reasonable efforts have been made to identify, collect, and remove all evidence from the scene for further examination and that all physical characteristics of the scene have been documented. (Page 35)
Responsibility for the scene should be transferred to an authority having jurisdiction or to the party with the legal right to the scene, after the scene examination, the condition of the scene, and any cautions supplied have been documented. (Page 36)
2.
Submit Reports to the Appropriate Databases
The responsible agencies should contribute to databases that compile information for purposes of identifying fire trends and developing suspect profiles. (Page 37)
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/181584.pdf
