Vehicle Fire Investigations

Investigating vehicle fire can be a task in it's own right. Vehicle fires require the use of many of the same principles that are used to investigate a structure fire. The amount of difficulty encountered is more in attitude than anything else, due to the fact that vehicle fires are usually given a low priority and sometimes overlooked. Millions and millions of dollars are paid out by insurance companies each year because these type of fires affect every vehicle owners premiums. The only way to combat a problem of this size is to have complete cooperation between fire, police and insurance companies.

Factors affecting the cause of vehicle fires

If the vehicle fire is found to be accidental, many factors can affect the cause of such fires. Vehicle condition is a major factor. A poorly maintained or neglected vehicle with worn or damaged parts is greatly susceptible to having an accidental fire. The vehicles age can also create optimum contions for a fire. As vehicles age and their parts and pieces wear out the possibility for fire grows dramatically. How a vehicles is used affects its potential for fire also. Commercial vehicles and SUV's because of their constant use and cargo are very prone to vehicles fires. Incendiary vehicle fires (fire set intentionally) can take on a whole new meaning. People burns vehicles for the same reasons they burn structures. The seven basic motives: fruad, spite/revenge, pyromania, vanity, crime concealment, civil disorder and juvenile activities can each play a part in their cause. Uncovering these motives and determining the opportunity for a person to set the fire must be developed through a complete and uniform investigation in the same manner as a structure fire.

The Investigative Process When vehicle fires can occur just about anywhere one could imagine, the vehicle may need to be moved to a more secure location. The investigation often requires a two step investigation, especially when incendiarism is suspected. The process needs to be a two step process, beginning with a primary examination at the fire scene and a secondary investigation at a more secure location. A secondary investigation is the same as a primary investigation, just more in depth and time consuming. It is at a secondary investigation where the vehicle is torn down piece by piece and each compentent given complete attention and an indepth inspection. If suspicious conditions exist, then evidence should be removed and packaged prior to moving the vehicle to prevent loss of evidence or damage to it.

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