Analysis – Investigation Techniques
Read the report on the West Fertilizer Company explosion. Using what you have learned about fire investigation, fire behavior, classification, cause and origin, and techniques of investigation, write a two-page summary outlining the investigative techniques that were used to determine the cause and origin of the fire and explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in Texas.
Read the following sections of the report:
Executive Summary,
Contributing Factors,
Key Recommendations,
Investigation, and
Recommendation sections.
Once you have read the case study, write a two-page paper outlining the investigative techniques that were utilized to determine the cause of the incendiary fire, devices identified that could have caused the fire, and/or explosives found that may have contributed to the cause of the fire.
Based on that examination of the investigation, your analysis should include the capabilities of your local fire department to conduct a similar investigation. In your summary paper, consider the following questions:
Is your local department equipped to conduct the investigation?
If so, describe, in detail, how your department is equipped.
Is there room for improvement, or are there other factors to consider?
If not, whom would you contact in your local area to help with the investigation?
Sample Solution
The investigative techniques utilized to determine the cause and origin of the West Fertilizer Company explosion included interviewing witnesses, personnel from the company, first responders, and volunteers; gathering evidence including photographs and surveillance video; examining documentary evidence such as employee manuals and statements from company officials; obtaining environmental samples from the scene; analyzing laboratory results to detect any potential ignition sources or explosive materials present at the site; conducting forensic studies into possible scenarios that could have caused the explosion; recreating simulations of fire behavior related to various fuel sources; employing computational fluid dynamics programs to identify air pressure generated by an explosion on a building’s exterior walls. Additionally, interviews with experts in relevant fields were conducted in order to assess how factors such as fertilizer particle size, temperature changes over time, air flow patterns within buildings can influence certain conditions for explosions or fires.
In conclusion, these investigative techniques provided investigators with valuable information about what happened at West Fertilizer Company on April 17th 2013.[1] This allowed them to answer questions such as where was the fire source located? What fuels contributed most significantly to its spread? Were there any signs of arson? Was there a risk assessment conducted prior to this event? These answers are essential in helping prevent similar events in the future.[2]
[1] \\\”West Fertilizer Report\\\”, U.S Chemical Safety Board.
[2] Ibid.
