After looking at the five steps in comprehensive incendiary investigation it looks like a form of scientific method used in many other areas of fire investigation. The five steps are fire scene investigation, assessment of investigative needs, formulation and evaluation of a strategy, implementation of strategic plan and presentation of formal investigation. The five steps, like the scientific method, they have a beginning, middle and end. After I go over the five steps then I will identify the methodology in securing the interview, identify the interviews I will need and I will list some question.
The first step of a comprehensive incendiary investigation is fire scene investigation. In the Tight Shoe Inc. report this is shown in the background information, property description, type of incident, fire cause, incendiary device description, evidence, photographs, property, and documentary evidence. This step reflects the work done and collected at the fire scene. The next step is assessment of investigative needs which is shown in the Tight Shoe Inc. report under motive and interviewing firefighters and other first responders. This step is usually done on the scene of the fire or right after. The following step is formulation and evaluation of a strategy which is shown in the Tight Shoe Inc. report under prosecution reports, obtaining search warrants and arson laboratory report. The next step of implementation of strategic plan is shown under insurance and potential criminal violations. The final step of the process is presentation of formal investigation is shown under summation of the investigation.
When I start looking at the people I should interview I must first assess the reliability of the information that the person wil...
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...ire scenes. The case of Tight Shoes Inc. seems to be pretty obvious as I read it, but I can’t image an arson fire that is not obvious. Interviewing the right people and asking the right questions is just as important if not more than finding physical evidence. Being a people’s person and coaxing the right responses is an under stated in the job title of fire investigator. After following the five steps of comprehensive incendiary investigation and finding and asking the right questions to the interviewee will help secure a solid case against an arsonist.
Works Cited
FEMA. Witness-Driven Fire Investigation Protocol . 3 31, 2011. http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/subjects/arson/aaw11/investigation_protocol.shtm (accessed 2 11, 2012).
NFPA. "Fire Investigator." In Principles and Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033, 16-19. Jones and Bartlett Learning, 2012.
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Icove, D. J., De Haan, J. D., & Haynes, G. A. (2013). Forensic fire scene reconstruction
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