FIREFIGHTERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR RECOGNIZING SIGNS OF ARSON AT A FIRE SCENE AND FOR PRESERVING ARSON EVIDENCE UNTIL INVESTIGATORS ARRIVE. GENERAL CONDITIONS IN THE VICINITY OF THE FIRE (PEOPLE, AUTOMOBILES, ROAD CONDITIONS) SHOULD BE NOTED AS WELL AS CONDITIONS AT THE FIRE SCENE. UPON THEIR ARRIVAL AT A FIRE, FIREFIGHTERS SHOULD TAKE MENTAL NOTES OF THE NUMBER OF SEPARATE FIRES, THE INTENSITY AND SPEED OF THE FIRE, THE COLOR OF THE FLAMES, AND OBSERVE THE MANNER OF PERSONS NEAR THE BURNING BUILDING. OTHER ITEMS TO LOOK FOR IN THE PROCESS OF DETERMINING ARSON INTENT ARE MULTIPLE FIRE STARTERS, OPEN DOORS AND WINDOWS THAT MIGHT PROVIDE VENTILATION TO SPEED FIRE BUILDUP, THE PRESENCE OF FOREIGN MATERIALS THAT COULD ACCELERATE THE FIRE'S SPEED, UNUSUAL ODORS, LOCALIZED HEAVY CHARRING AND UNEVEN BURNING, HOLES MADE IN WALLS AND FLOORS, INOPERATIVE SPRINKLERS AND FIREDOORS, AND TRACKS AND FOOTPRINTS. ARSONISTS OFTEN USE TRAILERS BETWEEN FIRES, CANDLES, CHEMICALS OR FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS, TIMING DEVICES, ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT, AND FIREBOMBS. LOOK FOR ANY RESIDUE, DEBRIS, OR SALVAGE INDICATING THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS. FIREFIGHTERS SHOULD KEEP THE EVIDENCE UNTOUCHED AND UNDISTURBED UNTIL QUALIFIED INVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL ARRIVE. MEASURES FOR PROTECTING AND GUARDING THE EVIDENCE THAT MUST REMAIN AT THE SCENE ARE DISCUSSED AS WELL AS METHODS FOR REMOVING, PROTECTING, AND PRESERVING EVIDENCE COLLECTED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. PROCEDURES FOR RECORDING AND REPORTING OBSERVATIONS MADE AT THE FIRE SCENE AND FOR PREPARING ONESELF FOR COURT TESTIMONY IN AN ARSON CASE ARE OUTLINED. (DAG)