This study confirms that latent marks are capable of withstanding exposure temperatures about 100 C for several hours and identifiable marks have been recovered from a range of substrates placed in realistic fire scenes. Sequential treatment processes can be proposed for both soot removal and fingerprint development on articles affected by fire. Arson is one of the most expensive crimes in terms of material cost. When examining the scene for fingerprints, there is a misconception that fingerprints are destroyed by the intense heat and black soot deposits arising during a fire and the effect of extinguishing media. Until recently, there has been little published information on the recovery of fingerprints from arson scenes. Building on previous research discussed, this first in a two-part study examined the range of temperatures and exposure times that latent marks could survive exposure to heat and the effectiveness of existing development processes in developing heat-affected marks, how these conditions were modified by the addition of soot, and the best practice for soot removal. Tables, figures, references and appendix