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Elements and Performance Criteria

Plan fire/incident investigation and analysis activities
Collect, collate and preserve evidence
Determine cause and origin of fire
Conduct analysis of incident
- Information relating to incident is gathered in accordance with the organisation's policies and procedures
- Information relating to incident is evaluated in accordance with the organisation's procedures
Record and report information collected
- Relevant organisation/legislative requirements for the recording, reporting and producing of information for a fire/incident investigation are implemented
Prepare personnel for proceedings
Review and evaluate fire/incident investigation

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required Skills

handling of dangerous goods and hazardous substances

cooperation with community groups

evidence packaging techniques

demonstrated evidence gathering techniques

conducting briefings

cooperating with other organisations and community groups

Required Knowledge

factors affecting fire behaviour

security of the scenescene contamination and preservation

examination of the fire scene

determining point of origin by deductive evidence

collection of physical evidence

distinguishing between fires that are accidentally negligently and deliberately or naturally lit

matching evidence to proof of point and offence provisions

differences between fire conditions

fatality and criminal involvement procedures

role of expert witnesses

motives of the fire setter

legal implications of evidence collection and legislative requirements

Evidence Required

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

It is essential for this unit that competence is demonstrated in

securing the scene and preserving the evidence

determining the point of origin and cause of fire

distinguishing between fires that are caused deliberately or accidentally negligently and naturally lit

collecting evidence in accordance with legislative requirements

Consistency in performance

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

On the job or use of simulations or exercises to demonstrate competence in the unit Verbal or written questions may be used to support the gathering of evidence

Specific resources for assessment

Required fire investigation equipment and resources

real or simulated test fire sites forestrural

training building with appropriate fire investigation training rooms fire crews and pumpers thermal detection equipment appropriate protective equipment classrooms equipped with computers and appropriate training aids text and reference materials and appropriate role play scripts for the appropriate personnel police barristers solicitors forensic scientist insurance adjustors and investigators

Guidance information for assessment

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA Public Safety Training Package

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

Range Statement


The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Evidence must include	video tapes, audio tapes, drawings, photographs, plans, manifests, documents, personal notes, physical evidence, debris, soil
Investigative procedures must include	canvass witnesses, conduct examinations, advise and cooperate with other agencies, take notes and photographs, make sketches and maps, collect and secure physical evidence, collect, collate and analyse information, conduct interview, prepare reports, produce information
Evidence preservation must include	chain of evidence recording, tagging secure encasements, log of events
Packaging of evidence may include	non-lined tins, non-leaching bags, glass receptacles, gas sampling equipment, rigid and non-rigid receptacles
Causes of fire may include	electrical origin, gas explosion, gas, accidental or deliberate nature, motor vehicles, flammable liquids, chemical, mechanical defect, lightning, environmental or natural occurrences, matches and lighters, smoking, spontaneous combustion
Liaison with specialist personnel may include	laboratory technicians, forensic specialist, insurance investigators, medical examiners, lawyers, crime scene police, arson squad, other relevant authorities
Protocols for giving evidence must may include	court procedures, court practices, pre-court briefings, rules of evidence
Review of information may include	incidence mapping, databases, journals, correspondence, Internet, inter-organisation activities, intra-organisation activities
Post investigation documentation may include	statements, proformas, photographs, tape recordings