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Virtual reality learning in fire investigation
The following article appeared in the September
1999, issue of the UK magazine, Fire
International
How can a fire investigator learn the intricacies of
fire investigations by sitting in front of a computer? By
gathering together dozens of internationally renowned
experts in fire investigations, using the latest multi-media
technology, and by setting a house on fire, the training
tool, interFIRE VR®, provides the answers,
says Ed Comeau.
 Approximately
2 million fires break out each year in the United States,
killing around 4,000 people, according to statistics from
the National Fire Protection Association. In most years,
this death toll is more than all natural disasters,
combined. Of these 2 million fires, 25% are arson related
and cause $2 billion in damage. Only 2% of the 500,000 arson
fires result in a successful conviction-an abysmal
conviction rate.
With the publication of NFPA 921, Guide to Fire and
Explosion Investigations, a problem arose. It had become
apparent that there was a wide disparity between different
investigators and jurisdictions regarding their knowledge of
the ever-changing field of fire investigations. Defence
attorneys were using NFPA 921 against the investigators in
the courtroom as a mechanism to expose their possible lack
of knowledge in certain areas.
In March, 1997, the four organizations met in
Philadelphia to discuss how to develop new training
procedures for fire investigators. There was a need to
deliver consistent training to fire investigators across the
country to raise the level of competency of ALL
investigators.
This first meeting was the genesis of interFIRE VR, a
training tool that incorporates the "best practices" of fire
investigations. Expertise came from the four original
organizations involved, and from other experts in the field,
including the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the
International
Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), among others.
Stonehouse
Media, a multi-media production company, came on board
to provide the technical production expertise needed.
The system uses a scenario track. This scenario, which
could occur anywhere, at any time, uses virtual reality.
With it, the investigator can move throughout the entire
house, search the surrounding grounds, interview witnesses,
gather evidence, take photographs and inspect the fire
scene. Just as in the real world, the investigation doesn't
just end at the fire scene. There is a trail of paperwork
and documentation that must be pursued if the investigator
is going to make a complete determination of the cause of
the fire.
 The
interFIRE VR will work on a standard PC using the latest
technology in virtual reality and multimedia. The student
can completely navigate a fire scene, inside and out, and
inspect all areas of the building. There are numerous
witnesses to interview, but only if the investigator is
astute enough to identify who they are. Some are obvious,
such as the incident commander. Others, however, will only
come to light through interviews with other witnesses,
creating a trail that the investigator must follow to solve
the fire.
After the project team spent many hours developing a
scenario, a site was selected at the Massachusetts State
Police training academy. A house was renovated and
completely furnished to create a believable and realistic
environment for the fire.
A large cast filled the many roles of the scenario, with
some coming from the local fire and police departments.
Twelve professional actors filled roles such as neighbours,
the owner, the tenants and a jogger.
NIST sent a crew of experts to assist in documenting the
fire scene. Cameras, in specialized, water-cooled "cans,"
were placed directly in the fire. Instruments measured the
heat levels in numerous areas. Specialized, expendable,
surveillance cameras in the fire room captured the growth of
the fire. The technicians went as far as dropping a
microphone down the chimney to capture the sounds of the
fire growth!
The system has two additional tracks-tutorial and
reference.
The tutorial track contains a wealth of information
gathered from experts across the country. This ranges from
proper interview techniques and evidence collection to
preparing your resume for court testimony and what to expect
in a deposition.
A reference track provides a readily available library of
material. For example, excerpts from NFPA 921, articles from
professional journals and magazines, abstracts of papers and
other references are all available.
The biggest problem faced by jurisdictions today isn't
the cost of sending someone to training, but the time
involved. By using interFIRE VR, the student is able to
enter a virtual fire investigation environment and receive
training from the most knowledgeable people in the country.
All this is done without having to travel, and without the
jurisdiction losing the services of a valuable investigator
while he or she is attending training.
The world of fire investigations is constantly changing.
To ensure that the users of interFIRE VR have access to the
most current information available, a web site supports the
CD-based training tool. By visiting www.interfire.org, the
student can interact with other investigators, pose
questions, or review some of the most current data
available.
The system is already proving a success, according to
Carrye Brown, Administrator, US Fire Administration, who
said: "This public/private partnership has produced tangible
results for a nation whose fire death rate has long been too
high."
George Miller, President, NFPA, added: "We are at the
beginning of a new era in fire investigation, one which
promises more safety for America."
Information on obtaining copies of interFIRE-VR is
available at the interFIRE web site at www.interfire.org.
Ed
Comeau is the principal writer of writer-tech.com.
Previously, he was the chief fire investigator for the NFPA
and was heavily involved in development of interFIRE-VR from
its inception. He is currently a member of the editorial
review team for interFIRE.
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