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Evidence Guide: PUAFIR603A - Determine origin and cause of wildfire

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

PUAFIR603A - Determine origin and cause of wildfire

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Coordinate wildfire investigation

  1. Roles and responsibilities of supportpersonnel from the various agencies in a wildfire investigation are confirmed
  2. Cooperation of personnel from a range of agencies consistent with their designated roles and responsibilities for a wildfire investigation is achieved
  3. Information required by fire investigator from personnel from other agencies is identified, sought and received
  4. Activities of all personnel involved are coordinated to enable an efficient and effective investigation
  5. Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures
  6. Occupational health and safety procedures appropriate to the incident are followed
Roles and responsibilities of supportpersonnel from the various agencies in a wildfire investigation are confirmed

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cooperation of personnel from a range of agencies consistent with their designated roles and responsibilities for a wildfire investigation is achieved

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information required by fire investigator from personnel from other agencies is identified, sought and received

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activities of all personnel involved are coordinated to enable an efficient and effective investigation

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Protective clothing and equipment are used in accordance with agency procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Occupational health and safety procedures appropriate to the incident are followed

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secure fire scene and preserve evidence

  1. Legal obligations of fire investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation
  2. Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented
  3. Procedures to monitor and log access to a wildfire scene are established and applied
  4. Strategies for locating, collecting and processing evidence are implemented
  5. Methods of preservation of evidence at a wildfire scene are implemented
  6. Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, destruction or contamination
Legal obligations of fire investigators are adhered to throughout the investigation

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Methods of scene security prior to examination are implemented

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Procedures to monitor and log access to a wildfire scene are established and applied

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strategies for locating, collecting and processing evidence are implemented

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Methods of preservation of evidence at a wildfire scene are implemented

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scene is protected from unnecessary damage, destruction or contamination

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct scene investigation

  1. Investigation activities are coordinated with the Incident Controller, when active fire management operations are still occurring in relation to the incident
  2. Fire incident information, data and records are collected and assessed
  3. Witness information and other related information is obtained in accordance with jurisdictional requirements
  4. Survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and to preserve areas or items of evidential value
  5. Effect of fuels, weather and topography on wildfire development and spread are identified
  6. Effects of firefighting actions on fire scene and investigation are assessed
  7. 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
  8. Physical indicators relating to the path of fire travel or development of the wildfire are identified, assessed and recorded
  9. Indicators of damage or destruction of assets caused by wildfire are identified
  10. Origin and cause determination options are developed and assessed using a scientific method
  11. Cause of the fire, based on recognised cause categories, is determined by wildfire investigation
Investigation activities are coordinated with the Incident Controller, when active fire management operations are still occurring in relation to the incident

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fire incident information, data and records are collected and assessed

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Witness information and other related information is obtained in accordance with jurisdictional requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Survey of scene is conducted to identify hazards and to preserve areas or items of evidential value

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of fuels, weather and topography on wildfire development and spread are identified

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effects of firefighting actions on fire scene and investigation are assessed

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physical indicators relating to the path of fire travel or development of the wildfire are identified, assessed and recorded

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indicators of damage or destruction of assets caused by wildfire are identified

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Origin and cause determination options are developed and assessed using a scientific method

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cause of the fire, based on recognised cause categories, is determined by wildfire investigation

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify and collect evidence to investigate a wildfire

  1. Control, comparison and residual samples are identified and extracted according to agency requirements
  2. Samples are protected to avoid contamination and to ensure continuity of evidence
  3. Samples are recorded, collected packaged and secured in accordance with continuity of evidence protocols and procedures
  4. Procedures for capturing fire scene records are implemented
  5. Forensic and physical evidence is interpreted
  6. Agency and legal reports and requirements are implemented
Control, comparison and residual samples are identified and extracted according to agency requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samples are protected to avoid contamination and to ensure continuity of evidence

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samples are recorded, collected packaged and secured in accordance with continuity of evidence protocols and procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Procedures for capturing fire scene records are implemented

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forensic and physical evidence is interpreted

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agency and legal reports and requirements are implemented

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analyse information to determine origin and cause of fire

  1. Collected information and evidence is analysed and interpreted
  2. Findings are reported and documented according to required practice and agency policy
  3. Evidence is secured for subsequent action
  4. Wildfire investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders
Collected information and evidence is analysed and interpreted

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Evidence is secured for subsequent action

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wildfire investigation report is completed and forwarded to appropriate authorities/stakeholders

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

identify area/point of origin and suspected cause of fire

apply relevant laws, legislation, codes of practice and standards to fire investigation

apply a systematic approach to the examination of wildfire scenes based on scientific method

interpret and analyse forensic data and physical evidence

conduct interviews appropriately and accurately record information.

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 offences 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.

Required Skills and Knowledge

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

Required Skills

apply methods and techniques to collect, handle and store evidence

apply scientific method to wildfire investigation

conduct a scene assessment

conduct witness interviews

identify, document and preserve physical evidence

identify potential ignition sources and follow processes for elimination of cause

package, label and store evidence for transport

present evidence

preserve evidence to avoid damage (spoliation) or contamination

record information appropriately and accurately

take notes to support the recording of information

use equipment to collect, handle and store evidence

write reports

Required Knowledge

common causes of wildfire:

camp fire

debris burning

electrical

equipment use

incendiary

juvenile

lightning

machinery

miscellaneous

power lines

rail

smoking

vehicles

deliberate fire lighting motives and methodology

determinants of fire cause

evidence preservation

fatal fire and crime scene management

fire behaviour

fire scene examination

how to distinguish between accidental, negligent, deliberate and natural cause of fire

how to optimise eye witness accounts from professional witnesses such as first responders

implications of insurance involvement

indicators of fire cause

indicators of fire spread

interviewing protocols and their application

legal definitions of interviews and statements

matching of evidence to point of proof and offence provisions

methods for recording documentary and witness evidence, and their application

note taking processes and procedures

principles of investigation based on scientific method

principles of wildfire spread

procedures for collection of physical evidence i.e. handling and packaging

procedures for recording of physical evidence i.e. photographs, drawings, samples

relevant legislation such as the Fire Service Act, Coroner’s Act, Criminal Code and Evidence Act

role of expert witnesses

roles, responsibilities and limits of authority of personnel and agencies at a wildfire investigation

rules of evidence including identification, collection, continuity, and admissibility

scene preservation and security

standard operating procedures for conducting investigations

use of deductive evidence to determine point of origin

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.

Support personnel may include:

Government and private forensic chemists

Insurance investigators and assessors

Statutory bodies

Technical specialists (e.g. fire behaviour, meteorological experts)

Agencies may include:

Coronial services

Electrical authorities

Fire services

Gas authorities

Insurance investigators and assessors

Land management agencies

Other statutory authorities

Police

State/territory forensic services

Evidence collection may include:

Admissibility

Collection and preservation

Continuity

Identification

Witnesses may include:

Emergency services personnel

Members of statutory agencies

Members of the public

Property owners/occupants

Origin and cause determination must include:

Burn indicators:

advancing/head fire

backing/heel fire

lateral/flanking fire

grass stem indicators

protection indicators

transition zone

damage differential indicators

foliage/leaf freeze indicators

angle of char indicators

depth of char indicators

ash indicators

cupping indicators

curling indicators

die-out pattern indicators

sooting indicators

staining indicators

V-Pattern indicators

Identification of ignition sources

Scene observation and interpretation

Scene processing

Wildfire behaviour factors (weather, fuel load and topography)

Wildfire spread

Fire scene records may include:

Audio

Maps

Meteorological records

Notes

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

Sketches and plans