1. ATF Fire Investigation

2. ATF Fire Investigative Resources
Special Agent:
Every ATF Special Agent receives basic arson training while attending the ATF National Academy.
Basic training is centered on the initial response, interviews, scene processing, legal aspects and follow up investigation.
Not all ATF Special Agents are origin and cause experts, but any ATF Special Agent can provide tremendous assistance in coordinating additional resources and assessing the scene.

3. ATF Fire Investigative Resources
ATF Certified Fire Investigator:
Experienced Special Agent who has had extensive training in fire science, fire dynamics, fire scene reconstruction, fire scene documentation, technical report writing, fire origin and cause, expert testimony.
This cadre of specialized ATF Agent/CFIs comprise the only group of fire origin and cause experts in the Federal sector.
Approximately 100 CFIs located throughout the U.S.
Currently 48 CFI candidates in various stages of training

4. ATF CFI – Cont. Rigorous 2-year training program
Basic and advanced fire science, origin and cause courses.
Electrical aspects of fire investigation courses.
Courtroom testimony course.
Enclosure fire course.
12 – 15 hours graduate level course work – OSU.
Graduate certificate in Forensic Science.
Published research project.
100 required fire scene exams documented with peer reviewed reports.
Besides ATF Certification, candidates are required to also pass IAAI CFI exam at completion of training/certification.

5. Research Projects The projects are selected by the CFI Candidate
Related to fire science for fire investigation
Reviewed by a panel
Candidates must conduct research and write a paper on topics related to fire science or fire investigation.

6. Hash Oil Explosions
Numerous incidents related to manufacture of hash oil
Violent explosions and fires have occurred
These events pose a threat to first responders and civilians
.The project set out to show the destructive properties of the explosions related to hash oil manufacturing.
It also set out to determine if a fire would result from the explosion and if there would be evidence left behind if a fire occurred.
CFIC Jeff Osburg

7. Butane was flowed into the rooms
Butane was ignited using electric matches
.Electric matches were used to simulate a competent ignition source, such as a pilot light
Fires occurred post explosion

8. PVC with Marijuana and Hash Oil product in Dish pre explosion and fire
The evidence will remain post explosion and fire
.Three tests were conducted using butane gas which is commonly used to extract the THC from the stems and less desirable portions of the Marijuana Plant.
All three tests resulted in explosions within the compartment that ignited fires on materials in the rooms.
The materials used to manufacture the hash oil was recovered.
The hash oil finished product was recovered and tested post fire and 2 of the 3 tested positive for THC.
The one that didn’t was when the fire was allowed to go post flashover.
PVC with Marijuana and Hash Oil product in Dish pre explosion and fire
PVC with Marijuana and Hash Oil product in Dish post explosion and fire

9. Potential Hazard to First Responders
During the tests the used butane aerosol cans were left in the cells
In two of the tests the cans mechanically failed – which led to parts of the cans being propelled out of the compartments
This could pose a significant risk to first responders

10. Ultra High Pressure Fire Suppression Systems (UHP)
.Candidate it a former State Fire Marshal
Wanted to show that UHP systems can be used to put out fires with less water
Help preserve fire patterns by using less water and creating less damage

11. UHP research Pressurized system that creates smaller water droplet.
Pressurized system that creates smaller water droplet
Covers more surface area
Absorb more heat
More efficient than lower pressure systems
CFIC Bill Fulton

12. UHP 9 tests were conducted using identical dorm rooms
Three types of nozzles used*
UHP
Fog
Solid Bore .
*Results showed that using less water with the UHP had the same reduction in room temperatures as traditional methods

13. UHP - Steam
Use of UHP systems was thought to create a risk of more steam
Mannequins were placed outside door equipped with thermal couples
Temperature increase that occurred during use of UHP was only 2-8 degree Fahrenheit .

14. Conclusion
Testing showed that Ultra High Pressure Fire Suppression Systems can lower room temperatures with less water
This is a great benefit to fire investigators who come in after the fire
Preservation of fire patterns and evidence needed to determine the origin and cause of the fire .

15. ATF Fire Investigative Resources
ATF Accelerant Detection Canines:
Pilot program initiated in 1984 with “Nellie”. Results of program submitted to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
First operational canine began training with the Connecticut State Police in 1986.
Labrador Retrievers used exclusively.
Dogs are obtained and trained by ATF along with their state and local handlers. Dogs are made available to ATF upon request.
ATF currently has 54 ADC teams across the U.S.

16. ATF Fire Investigative Resources
ATF Auditors:
Can assist in determining if financial incentive was the motive for an arson crime.
Can help determine other crimes such as money laundering, mail/wire fraud, RICO, etc.
Federal statues include asset forfeiture component in arson for profit crimes. Seized Assets are shared with state/local jurisdictions participating in the investigation and prosecution.

17. ATF Fire Investigative Resources
ATF National Laboratory:
Fire and Explosives Chemistry Analysis
Fingerprints/Impression Evidence
Tool marks
DNA
Trace Evidence Analysis (footwear, tire tread, glass fracture analysis etc.)
Questioned Documents
Expert Testimony
Beltsville, MD
Atlanta, GA
Walnut Creek, CA

18. ATF Fire Investigative Resources
ATF Fire Research Lab:
Staffed by Fire Protection Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers and other fire specialists.
Structures/scenarios can be recreated and burned in the lab for data analysis and hypothesis testing.
Staff can provide on-scene assistance as well as testimony in support of prosecution.

19. Beltsville, Maryland
FRL encompasses 50,000 sq. ft. of the 176,000 sq. ft. laboratory facility
3 X larger than any other burn cell in the world and the 1st facility dedicated to forensic fire testing
The large calorimeter is roughly the size of a basketball court and can accommodate a fully constructed 2-story structure
FRL also includes materials testing lab, electrical engineering lab and classrooms
State of the art video and data recording system

22. ATF National Response Team

23. ATF National Response Team
Team of highly trained fire and explosives experts.
Can deploy anywhere in the continental U.S. within 24 hours.
779 NRT activations to date - since 1978.
Employs the “Team Concept” in a collaborative effort to conduct a fire or explosion investigation.
State/local partners are embedded into the team throughout the process.
Everything produced is provided and shared with all state/local law enforcement and fire service participants.
International Response Team (IRT) responds internationally at request of U.S. Department of State – 38 IRT activations to date. Peru, El Salvador, Ghana, Honduras, Albania

24. ATF National Response Team
Sample of NRT Responses:
Kansas City MO - Fire Fighter Fatality
Da Vinci Apartments LA - $95 million damage
West Texas Explosion –Fire Fighter Fatality
Civil Unrest in Ferguson MO and Baltimore MD
Oklahoma City Bombing
World Trade Center Terrorist Attacks
Pentagon Terrorist Attack

25. National Response Team
Certified Fire Investigators
Certified Explosives Specialist/Explosive Enforcement Officers/Bomb Technicians
Accelerant Detection Canines
Fire Protection Engineers
Electrical Engineers
Forensic Chemists
Forensic Mappers
Visual Media Specialist
Interview Coordinators
Safety Officers
Medics

26. Levels of Response by the NRT
Level 1 – large scale event (Oklahoma City)
Full team responds (type 2) plus additional resources
Level 2 – regular call out
Full team – 25 people (including, chemist, EE, FPE, etc)
Level 3 – smaller response, IRT (team based on size of scene)
Partial team – 15 people (includes EE, FPE)
Level 4 – small scale response (there is not a large scene to work)
Only subject matter experts (mapping, orator, profilers and interview teams.
This was courtesy of Dan Heenan

27. Annapolis Callout Residential Fire January 19, 2015 6 dead (ages 63-7)
$15 Million loss
16,000 Square Feet
Anne Arundel County requested ATF’s assistance
NRT members arrived on Jan 21. and processed the scene with state and local partners through Jan. 26; Some initial concerns: (1)the fire detection company reported near simultaneous alarms on the first floor and basement, (2) how did a fire develop so quickly to such a size that filled up the great room, which was approximately 1200 square feet with 19 foot ceiling, (3) why did 6 able bodied people not escape with working smoke detectors, (4) Sandy Pyle had recently cut ties with a biological son who she had given up for adoption as a teenager (family members informed investigators that the estranged son was toxic to the family)
Sandy Pyle had two adult sons she with a previous husband before marrying Donald Pyle. Each of those adult sons lost two children in this fire.
Donald Pyle had been a CEO of tech company that had DOD contracts.
INVESTIGATORS DID NOT KNOW THAT THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND TREE WERE STILL IN THE GREAT ROOM UNTIL 1.5 DAYS INTO INVESTIGATIONS. WITHOUT THAT DATA, OUR CALCULATIONS SHOWED NO REASON WHY THE GREAT ROOM SHOULD HAVE REACHED FLASHOVER (NOT ENOUGH KNOWN FULE) – GREAT INTERVIEWS
CFI Rick Hankins

28. Annapolis Callout
NRT responded 15ft Christmas tree & extra furniture were in great room
Area of Origin was determined
Area sifted found remains of a damaged outlet
Cause was believed to be a failed outlet near a Christmas Tree
ATF still had some unanswered questions: why did victims not get out? Why were there two alarms (first floor and basement)
Interview of alarm company showed that the staircase smoke detectors were assigned to the “basement zone” of the system, therefore the basement zone showed an alarm event (but the actual location of the detector was in the first floor staircase that led to the basement)
ATF FRL purchased two similar 15 foot Frasier fir trees from the same tree farm as the Pyles. One tree was watered once a week and the second was watered every day for 6 weeks. The tree that was watered once a week (like the Pyle tree) immediately ignited when a small flame was introduced under it. It quickly produced 20 megawatts of energy, which in the real fire would have (along with smoke and other products of combustion) extended into the open second floor bedroom spaces that were open to the great room below. The victims didn’t get out because of the massive heat release rate of this fire. By the time they became aware of the fire, the location of their body recoveries showed they were likely beginning to leave their rooms and evacuate. The tree watered daily faired much better. Sadly if tree had been properly watered, the would have been alerted to the small fire under the tree and got out.

29. Annapolis Callout Testing was done at the FRL
Tree watered weekly = 20 megawatts of energy released in under 40 seconds of tree ignition
Tree watered daily = Fire under tree finally ignited only ½ of tree over 7 minutes into test
The heat release rate of the trees reached peaks of megawatts*
ATF still had some unanswered questions: why did victims not get out? Why were there two alarms (first floor and basement)
Interview of alarm company showed that the staircase smoke detectors were assigned to the “basement zone” of the system, therefore the basement zone showed an alarm event (but the actual location of the detector was in the first floor staircase that led to the basement)
ATF FRL purchased two similar 15 foot Frasier fir trees from the same tree farm as the Pyles. One tree was watered once a week and the second was watered every day for 6 weeks. The tree that was watered once a week (like the Pyle tree) immediately ignited when a small flame was introduced under it. It quickly produced 20 megawatts of energy, which in the real fire would have (along with smoke and other products of combustion) extended into the open second floor bedroom spaces that were open to the great room below. The victims didn’t get out because of the massive heat release rate of this fire. By the time they became aware of the fire, the location of their body recoveries showed they were likely beginning to leave their rooms and evacuate. The tree watered daily faired much better. Sadly if tree had been properly watered, the would have been alerted to the small fire under the tree and got out.
*An upholstered couch will have an approx HRR of 3 megawatts

30. Annapolis Callout The work of the NRT and the FRL
Provided new information about Christmas tree safety
Gave the family an exact cause of the fire

31. ATF Fire/Arson Training National Center for Explosives Training and Research
ATF Advanced Fire and Arson Training Complex

32. ATF Fire/Arson Training
ATF Advanced Fire and Arson Training Complex
Construction to be complete June 2016
3 fully modular multi-room single story burn structures
2 fully modular multi- room two story burn structures
2 large flashover fire demonstration cells
Course to be offered include:
Advanced Origin and Cause/Courtroom Techniques – State/local
Arson for Prosecutors
Advanced Arson/Explosives for ATF Special Agents
Additional courses offered in partnership with IAAI

33. ATF Fire and Arson Training – Cont.
Field deliveries of Advanced Arson for Prosecutors course
- Provides online interactive tutorials on critical fire and arson investigation procedures. InterFire VR is a virtual reality fire investigation program.
CFITrainer.net – Online training covering current topics, investigative procedures, fire dynamics, electrical investigations and more. Podcasts are released monthly.
National Fire Academy – Basic and Advanced Fire Investigations
National Fire Academy – Electrical Aspects of Fire Investigation

34. Contact Information
Don Robinson Special Agent in Charge NCETR 3750 Corporal Road Redstone Arsenal Huntsville, Alabama (256)