ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Coordinate structure fire investigation

1.1 Roles and responsibilities of multi-agency and supportpersonnel involved in a structure fire investigation are confirmed

1.2 Cooperation with multi-agency personnel in the conduct of the investigation consistent with designated roles and responsibilities for a structure fire investigation is achieved

1.3 Information required by fire investigator from multi-agency personnel is identified, sought and received

1.4 Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures

1.5 Occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures appropriate to the incident are followed

2. Secure fire scene and preserve evidence

2.1 Legal obligations of fire scene investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation

2.2 Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented

2.3 Procedures to monitor and log access to a fire scene are established and applied, as required

2.4 Strategies for locating, collecting and processing evidence are implemented

2.5 Methods of preservation of evidence at a fire scene are implemented

2.6 Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, spoliation, destruction or contamination

3. Conduct scene investigation

3.1 External and internal survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and action is taken to mitigate risk

3.2 Scene is examined externally and internally to determine areas of interest and to record observation of factors which may have a bearing on the origin, cause or development of a structure fire

3.3 Areas or items of evidence that have a potential bearing on the origin, cause or development of a structure fire are identified

3.4 Effect of building construction and other factors relevant to fire development and spread are identified

3.5 Nature and reactivity of materials involved in fire cause are identified

3.6 Site indicators of fire spread with other sources of evidence are examined

3.7 Witness and firefighter information is obtained in accordance with the rules of evidence

3.8 Significance of evidence is assessed and prioritised for further review

3.9 Burn patterns and effects of fire suppression are identified and assessed

3.10 Area/likely point of origin and possible cause of structure fire are determined

3.11 Origin and cause determination theories are assessed and tested

4. Collect and analyse evidence from a fire scene

4.1 Appropriate sampling areas and items are identified using required sampling equipment and resources

4.2 Appropriate collection techniques are applied eliminating contamination and loss of evidence

4.3 Best available samples and items including control samples are collected

4.4 Appropriate collection and packaging techniques are adopted

4.5 Potential for destruction (spoliation) and contamination of evidence is eliminated

4.6 Integrity and continuity of collected exhibits is maintained

4.7 Evidence from fire scene is analysed and processed using a range of recording and technological media

4.8 Witness accounts are reviewed against theories

4.9 Findings are reported and documented according to required practice and agency policy

4.10 Evidence is secured for subsequent action

4.11 Investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders

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

Required Skills

assess and investigate a scene externally and internally

clearly articulate and justify findings

collect and handle exhibits and items of interest

elicit information from relevant witnesses

interpret fire indicators

interpret fire scene

manage fire scene investigation cases

present findings

take notes

take photographs with written explanations

take videos with narrative and explanations

write reports

Required Knowledge

appropriate recording methods

appropriate sampling

categories of fire

common causes of fire (accidental, chemical, deliberate, electrical, incendiary, natural, negligence)

fire behaviour (flashover, backdraught, sequence of development)

fire language

human behaviour/impact on incident

incendiary devices (commercial, home-made, industrial)

OHS considerations

scene protocol

sequence of events of a fire

what samples (if any) need to be taken

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

collect and maximise the potential evidentiary value of physical evidence

apply safe work practices at a fire scene

identify area/point of origin and possible cause of fire

apply evidence and forensic scientific principles to assess possible area/point of origin and causes.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of workplace and/or simulated situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency should be assessed in the workplace and in a simulated workplace environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access is required to:

legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to gathering and managing evidence

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of causes likely to occur for which evidence needs to be gathered and managed.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this unit may include a combination of:

case studies

demonstration

observation

questioning

scenarios

authenticated evidence from the workplace.

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.

Roles and responsibilities may include:

Agency operating procedures

Legislative requirements

Memorandums of understanding

Agencies may include:

Coroner

Electrical authorities

Forensic scientists

Gas authorities

Industry peak bodies

Insurance investigators, assessors and construction companies (to ‘make safe’ properties)

Other statutory authorities

Police investigators

Support personnel may include:

Government and private forensic chemists

Insurance investigators and assessors

Statutory bodies

Scene security may include:

Legal obligations

Scene preservation

Internal survey of scene includes:

Development and testing of hypothesis/es on potential areas of origin

Determination of area of origin

Interpretation of smoke, heat and direct flame contact records

Recognition of area of least damage

Witnesses may include:

Firefighters

Members of statutory agencies

Members of the public

Property owners/occupants

Origin and cause determination must include:

Burn patterns (V patterns, inverted V patterns, hourglass patterns, circular-shaped patterns)

Identification of ignition sources

Scene interpretation

Scene processing

Sampling equipment and resources may include:

Accelerant detecting canine

Field-based sampling devices e.g. photo ionisation detectors

Appropriate collection techniques may include:

Preservation of evidence

Search techniques

Security of environment

Recording and technological media may include:

Audio

Computers

Log book

Note taking

Photography (digital, multimedia, closed circuit television [CCTV], other media images)

Sketches and plans

Video