Investigations
Fire investigations play an important role in prevention of fires through the determination of flawed designs that cause the ignition of fires and explosions and through the apprehension of person(s) guilty in the intentionally damaging of property by fire or explosion.
When a fire or explosion occurs, suppression officers are the first to start the investigation of the origin and cause of the incident. If the incident is deemed intentional, suspicious or undetermined in nature, Tallahassee Fire Department Investigators begin the tasks necessary to determine its origin and cause. There are two types of investigators, sworn law enforcement and non-sworn. The sworn law enforcement investigator has full arrest powers within the city and county. The sworn Investigator completes fire origin and cause investigations and follow-up on criminal investigations. The non-sworn Investigators conduct the fire origin and cause and completes follow up on non-criminal (accidental) fires. Investigators work with other city, county, state and federal Investigators. Investigators are state trained in fire investigation.
You can help with the fight against arson. If you or any one you know has information relating to a fire or explosion you can call the fire information hotline confidentially at (850) 891-FIRE (3473) or ship us a confidential email.
The Steps in the Fire Investigation Process
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| This is an overview of what the Investigator starts with to determine the origin and cause of the fire. | Conducting a systematic backwards fire scene examination, the Investigator can identify the area of origin | Through witness statements it was determined the lawn mower had been used and parked in the garage a few minutes before the fire. |
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If you or anyone you know has information concerning a fire, you can send a confidential tip to our investigators. |
| Burn patterns point to the lawn mower as a possible cause for the fire. | The area shows there was a plastic container next to the lawn mower. The heat from the mower's muffler caused the container to ignite. | |