Discuss the relationship between fire and police departments and the insurance companies that represent victims of arson

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

• The role of the firefighter is threefold: (1) to extinguish the fire, (2) to investigate the origin of the fire, and (3) to "detect" the possibility of arson but not to investigate arson. After it has been determined that law enforcement should take over the investigation, fire investigators should yield the crime scene to the arson investigators and respond to them in an adjunct role. The principal goal of the police investigation in an arson case is to identify the perpetrator(s) of the crime and to identify and secure sufficient evidence to prosecute and convict. Finally, the role of the insurance investigator is to make a determination as to whether or not the insurance company owes payment for the fire loss. The insurance investigator is not a law enforcement officer. His or her authority to investigate is specified in the insured's contract.