Elements and Performance Criteria
- Coordinate wildfire investigation
- Roles and responsibilities of supportpersonnel from the various agencies in a wildfire investigation are confirmed
- Cooperation of personnel from a range of agencies consistent with their designated roles and responsibilities for a wildfire investigation is achieved
- Information required by fire investigator from personnel from other agencies is identified, sought and received
- Activities of all personnel involved are coordinated to enable an efficient and effective investigation
- Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures
- Occupational health and safety procedures appropriate to the incident are followed
- Secure fire scene and preserve evidence
- Legal obligations of fire investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation
- Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented
- Procedures to monitor and log access to a wildfire scene are established and applied
- Strategies for locating, collecting and processing evidence are implemented
- Methods of preservation of evidence at a wildfire scene are implemented
- Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, destruction or contamination
- Conduct scene investigation
- Investigation activities are coordinated with the Incident Controller, when active fire management operations are still occurring in relation to the incident
- Fire incident information, data and records are collected and assessed
- Witness information and other related information is obtained in accordance with jurisdictional requirements
- Survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and to preserve areas or items of evidential value
- Effect of fuels, weather and topography on wildfire development and spread are identified
- Effects of firefighting actions on fire scene and investigation are assessed
- Scene is reviewed to determine areas of interest and to record observation of factors which may have a bearing on the determination of the origin, cause or development of a wildfire
- Physical indicators relating to the path of fire travel or development of the wildfire are identified, assessed and recorded
- Indicators of damage or destruction of assets caused by wildfire are identified
- Origin and cause determination options are developed and assessed using a scientific method
- Cause of the fire, based on recognised cause categories, is determined by wildfire investigation
- Identify and collect evidence to investigate a wildfire
- Control, comparison and residual samples are identified and extracted according to agency requirements
- Samples are protected to avoid contamination and to ensure continuity of evidence
- Samples are recorded, collected packaged and secured in accordance with continuity of evidence protocols and procedures
- Procedures for capturing fire scene records are implemented
- Forensic and physical evidence is interpreted
- Agency and legal reports and requirements are implemented
- Analyse information to determine origin and cause of fire