Purpose Statement

The Findings section in the Fire Investigation module is designed to document investigative conclusions, supporting hypotheses, and official sign-offs. This feature ensures a structured and standardized approach to capturing investigative outcomes, improving report accuracy, compliance, and collaboration across agencies.

Background Information

The Findings section is a critical component of the Fire Investigation workflow. It allows investigators to:

• Record and manage multiple hypotheses (up to 10 per investigation)
• Document final conclusions and supporting narratives
• Apply pre-built templates for consistency
• Capture investigator and external agency signatures

Templates used in this section are configured in the Fire Investigation Setup module, enabling departments to standardize language and reporting practices.

Required Permissions

To access and complete the Findings section, users typically need:

• Access to the Fire Investigation Module
• Permissions to create/edit investigations
• Permissions to add/edit narratives and hypotheses
• Permissions to add signatures
• (Optional) Permissions to manage or apply templates

Note: Exact permission names may vary by agency configuration.

Video

Step-by-Step Guide
 

1. Access the Fire Investigation Module

1. Scroll through the module stack
2. Select Fire Investigation

3. Click Investigation List
    

   
   
    

2. Open or Create an Investigation

1. Select an existing investigation to edit
   OR
2. Click Add New Investigation
   
   
   
    

3. Navigate to the Findings Section

1. Within the investigation, locate the left-hand navigation panel
2. Click Findings
   
   
   
    

4. Add Hypotheses

1. In the Hypothesis section, enter your findings
2. You can add up to 10 hypotheses
3. Click Save
4. After saving, you may delete entries if needed
   Note: Templates can be applied (if configured) to standardize hypothesis language.
   
   
   
   
   
    
    

5. Complete Narratives

1. Navigate to the Narratives section
2. Enter:
   • Conclusion
   • Fire Cause/Notes
3. Note: Use the Use Template option to apply pre-configured narrative templates (configured in Fire Investigation Setup).
   
   
   
    

6. Add Investigator Signatures

1. Scroll to the Signatures section
2. Enter:
   • User Signing
   • User Role
   • Qualifications
3. Add your signature
4. Click Save
5. Repeat to add additional signatures if needed
   
   
   
   
   
    

7. Add Additional Investigators (External Agencies)

1. Locate the Additional Investigator Information section
2. Enter:
   • Investigator Name
   • Qualifications
   • Agency Name (e.g., ATF)
   • Contact Information
3. Add signature
4. Click Save
5. Repeat for multiple external investigators
   
   
   
   
   
    

8. Finalize and Save

1. Click Save at the top of the investigation
2. Continue with the investigation workflow as needed
   
   
   
    

Best Practices

• Enter clear, evidence-based hypotheses before finalizing conclusions
• Utilize templates to maintain consistency across reports
• Ensure all required signatures are completed before closing the investigation
• Double-check external investigator details for accuracy
• Save frequently to prevent data loss

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Q: Why can’t I add more than 10 hypotheses?
A: The system limits hypotheses to 10 per investigation to maintain clarity and structure.

Q: I don’t see the “Use Template” option—why?
A: Templates must be configured in the Fire Investigation Setup module. Contact an administrator if unavailable.

Q: Can I edit a signature after saving?
A: You may need to remove and re-add the signature depending on system permissions.

Q: Why can’t I access the Findings section?
A: Verify that your user role has the necessary permissions for the Fire Investigation module.