Fire/Arson Investigations : Fire/Arson Investigations
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Undetermined Accidental?
Posted by: dahebert (IP Logged)
Date: January 31, 2007 11:21AM
I know this has been discussed before, but not focused on a specific question.
Here is the question. You work a fire scene. You are left with only two probable causes, either a stove top fire or an electrical fire in the outlet behind the stove. Guy is dead on his bead, autopsy reveals no foul play and building locked down tight upon arrival of FD. If the only two potential causes are both accidental, can you call it accidental, or is it undetermined because you cannot determine the specific fault?
I did not work this fire, but the guy who did posed this question to me. I know what I told him, of which I will share, but first I would be interested in others opinion on this matter.
Follow up, (and this one I really don't have an opinion on) We in the Public Sector have a much higher standard of proof for determining the cause of a fire. This is a very good thing because it effects peoples lives. However, using the standard of proof for the Private Sector, the investigator could make this call on this particular fire. Once criminal activity has been eliminated from a criminal investigation, does this change the standard of proof? Meaning, if I were standing next to my pal Jim Mazerat on this fire scene, we would likely agree on the cause, but he could call it Accidental and I would have to to call it undetermined.
Oh, and Kennedy, please feel free to correct my grammar.
Dan
Oh, one last thing, let me get this out of the way......THIS IS WHY 921 SHOULD BE A SHANDARD! Now that that has been said can we not take this question into that area of discussion....Please....
Here is the question. You work a fire scene. You are left with only two probable causes, either a stove top fire or an electrical fire in the outlet behind the stove. Guy is dead on his bead, autopsy reveals no foul play and building locked down tight upon arrival of FD. If the only two potential causes are both accidental, can you call it accidental, or is it undetermined because you cannot determine the specific fault?
I did not work this fire, but the guy who did posed this question to me. I know what I told him, of which I will share, but first I would be interested in others opinion on this matter.
Follow up, (and this one I really don't have an opinion on) We in the Public Sector have a much higher standard of proof for determining the cause of a fire. This is a very good thing because it effects peoples lives. However, using the standard of proof for the Private Sector, the investigator could make this call on this particular fire. Once criminal activity has been eliminated from a criminal investigation, does this change the standard of proof? Meaning, if I were standing next to my pal Jim Mazerat on this fire scene, we would likely agree on the cause, but he could call it Accidental and I would have to to call it undetermined.
Oh, and Kennedy, please feel free to correct my grammar.
Dan
Oh, one last thing, let me get this out of the way......THIS IS WHY 921 SHOULD BE A SHANDARD! Now that that has been said can we not take this question into that area of discussion....Please....
Undetermined Accidental? Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.