Fire investigation is highly technical and requires both formal training and experience. The task force permits the transfer of the police expertise in investigative techniques to the firefighters on the task force. The team approach also creates direct access to the district attorney's office via the police department. The firefighters also make major contributions to the team through their knowledge of fire behavior, building construction, burn time of various combustibles, areas of origin, and determination of a fire's cause. A further benefit of the team approach is that it facilitates searches, because a police officer is always present when a criminal search warrant is served, as required by most States. Information the police officer gains through both formal and informal sources inside and outside the police agency is also valuable to the investigation. Police agency resources (laboratories, polygraphs, and surveillance teams) are also available. Giving information about the team approach and benefits to the news media and the public has shown the commitment by safety services to work in the public's best interests and has helped overcome citizens' resistance to offer help and become involved. Five references are listed.