SIU Today Spring 2021 - 14

relates to potential criminal prosecution. This is where the
insurance company can help by providing their contractors
with education and protocol. The term in situ means " as is. "
Every fire or crime scene should be entered with caution and
contractors should make sure the scene is maintained in situ.
It is important to remember that the insurance companies and
restoration contractors are key players in the outcome of an
investigation and may be required to testify to what they did
to secure the scene.
After a claim has been filed with an insurance company, the
homeowner may be provided a list of recommended contractors
by the insurance company; however, the homeowner may also
hire an independent contractor of their choice.
When a restoration contractor arrives on scene, they typically
meet with the incident commander. The incident commander
should direct the contractor to speak directly with the fire
investigator. The main objective for restoration contractors is
to secure the property for any additional scene examinations
conducted at a later date. The damage done to a structure
may be minor or significant, thus challenging the restoration
company's resources and techniques.
The restoration company will be asked to secure all ground-level
entry points and compromised areas by the fire investigator or
local officials. In addition, the contractor may be asked to
place a tarp over the roof. During this process of securing the
structure, the scene is typically disturbed and evidence altered
or destroyed. Additionally, electrical components, extension
cords, appliances and natural gas lines may be moved while
attempting to secure the structure. For example, inside a firedamaged room where the fire investigator believes the fire
to have originated, the contractor may move, toss or alter
items that are in the way to gain access to a door or window.
Contractors should make every attempt not to move or relocate
items within the structure without prior communication
with the fire investigator. Please note that fire investigators
extensively document the fire damages scene. Any alteration
after the initial scene documentation can prolong the outcome
of the investigation by destroying subrogation potential and
damaging evidence that can ruin a criminal case.
At the direction of the fire investigator and or local officials,
extreme care should be taken by all the restoration contractors
to assure that the fire scene is maintained in the condition it was
in upon their arrival. If for any reason something needs to be
moved or relocated in a fire scene, the fire investigator should be
contacted, and the actions taken by the contractor documented.
Contractors are strongly urged to photograph and videotape the
fire scene before, during and after their involvement.
If any items at a scene need to be handled, gloves should be worn
to avoid leaving fingerprints as they may cause unnecessary
processing by investigators. Remember, the initial work to be
completed by the restoration contractor is for scene security
and not the removal of contents.
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SIU TODAY | SPRING 2021

In addition, if you are using gasoline-powered equipment at
the scene, take care as to where the equipment is placed and/or
re-fueled. An accelerant detection canine may be deployed at
any given scene to assist the investigator. These trained canines
can detect liquids accelerants in extremely low concentrations;
therefore, every effort should be made not to contaminate the
fire scene.
Items that a claim adjuster or SIU investigators should tell a
vendor or contractor regarding preventing scene contaminating
are as follows:
* Keep gasoline powered equipment outside.
* Carefully walk as not to disturb contents of the
property.
* Do not alter any utilities i.e. gas service, electrical
service water service.
* Do not remove any items from the scene.
* Do not leave anything behind, i.e. construction waste,
smoking and smokeless material, beverage containers,
food and food wrappers, etc.
* Leave the scene as you found it.
* Contact the fire investigator with a scene preservation
questions.

SIU Today Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of SIU Today Spring 2021