Fire investigation—the fourth major component of a comprehensive prevention program—is the base on which the engineering and educational components are built. It is also a direct part of the enforcement component in the many fire departments where the fire investigation unit is responsible for arson determination and assistance in the prosecution of arson cases. Data from investigations also underpins program evaluation efforts.

Most fire departments investigate fires to identify the area of origin and determine the probable cause so that similar fires can be prevented. Sometimes the cause is readily evident, and responding fire officers can successfully conclude how a fire originated. Sometimes the cause is not so clear.

If arson is suspected, the nature of the investigation changes: its scope usually increases dramatically, law enforcement officials (the police and public prosecutors) become partners in the investigation, and interviewing witnesses becomes more difficult.

But even if a crime is not suspected, an investigation may still involve outside interests. For example, most insurance companies routinely hire their own investigators to determine the cause of a fire. They do so to protect themselves from probable civil actions, such as subrogation suits between insurance companies or with product manufacturers over who is responsible for paying for the damage. For example, if an electrical appliance caused a fire, the insurance carrier may sue the manufacturer of the appliance to recover expenses for both the damages and the cost of the investigation. Private investigators hired by insurance companies may or may not agree with local authorities about the cause of a fire. And when a very expensive fire loss occurs, there are usually enough special interests with a stake in the financial loss to make the investigation complex and subject to scrutiny by many outside sources.

These circumstances demand a high level of proficiency on the part of fire investigators, who must make a solid presentation, with scientific evidence, to support claims about cause. Accordingly, many fire departments are increasing their proficiency in fire investigation, recognizing that technical expertise and training are critical for the validity of their investigative efforts.

The causes of fire, of course, vary widely. Principal causes include electrical malfunction, carelessly discarded cigarettes, and unsafe kitchen practices, such as leaving cooking unattended. Whatever the specific cause, the general cause is always that a source of heat comes into contact with something that will burn.  And human behavior, whether deliberate or not, is almost always a significant factor in a fire’s start or spread.

*This section continues with information on: collecting data, the use of data from fire investigations and, legal liability in investigation.

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Excerpted from Managing Fire and Emergency Services, the newest title from ICMA Press (Jan. 2012) and the latest in the seminal series on fire services. Read other excerpts, "Comprehensive Prevention Programs Far, Far Beyond Code Enforcement and Coloring Books," which appeared in the January 10, 2012, issue of Local Government Matters; "Comprehensive Prevention Programs: Enforcing Fire and Safety Codes," which appeared in the January 24, 2012, issue; and Educating the Public about Fire and Life Safety, which appeared in the February 21, 2012, issue.