 |
The BFD Community Risk Reduction Investigations section consists of four personnel from within the division who are fire and arson investigators as well as certified peace officers in the State of Texas. Investigators are called to fire scenes when the cause of a fire is not immediately identifiable or when the fire is determined to be a criminal act. Other scenes which may require a full investigation include an incident involving a fire death or serious injury by fire to civilian or emergency response personnel, an incident escalating to a multi-alarm status, an incident involving explosives, improvised explosive devices, or where an explosion has occurred, a fire scene with major damage and/or injuries where a full investigation is appropriate or a situation involving a life safety or fire codes-related issue that requires immediate attention.
Investigators use a variety of techniques and strategies to identify the origin and cause of fires. They examine burn patterns, inspect debris at the scene, and interview victims and witnesses during the course of an investigation. The investigators' primary goal is to determine the origin and cause of any fire that requires their response. They do this by conducting an examination of the fire scene and then carefully evaluating all pertinent information gathered during an investigation. If the fire event is determined to be a criminal act, BFR investigators are also responsible for conducting the criminal investigation of the fire and making subsequent arrest of the person(s) responsible.
Some of the other investigative resources that BFR uses during an investigation include a Texas-licensed, on-staff polygraph examiner, and the arson evidence laboratory available through the State Fire Marshal’s office.