BY RAYMOND E. LANE
In the world of fire investigation, the rapid advancement of technology has introduced a new dimension for investigators to consider. With the increasing prevalence of smart devices, including power strips, thermostats, and security lights, it’s clear that fire investigators must understand the potential role these devices play in gathering valuable data. Entire newly built homes now have hubs that control every aspect of the structure. These devices constantly collect data—and a lot of it.
Some of the data the devices collect may surprise you: Why is this smart plug collecting temperature readings in the room? Why does this smart lightbulb collect humidity data?1 These devices collect a lot of data about various environmental conditions. This is a huge dataset we could be missing for our investigations.2
I’m fortunate enough to work in a place where I see builders installing these cutting-edge systems into homes on a weekly basis. Identification of these devices is not easy on a fire scene. And misidentification or not recognizing these devices can lead to missed data collection opportunities.
This article explores the significance of smart devices in fire investigations and how they can provide critical insights for determining the origin and cause of fires.
Defining Smart Devices: IoT and Energy Efficiency
Smart devices, often referred to as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, are interconnected devices that can communicate and exchange data with each other over the Internet. The IoT theory has gained popularity due to its ability to enhance convenience, efficiency, and energy savings in several aspects of our lives. For instance, smart thermostats optimize energy consumption, while security lights can be remotely controlled for enhanced safety. Many of these devices are controlled by a home hub that serves as a single point of control for all of them.
A control hub like this can open your garage door once it knows you’re close to home while turning on a security light and playing your favorite music. And it might simultaneously preheat the oven for you. Large appliances such as ovens and refrigerators and small appliances like coffee makers and air fryers can all be integrated with cutting-edge technology. And you can control all of them remotely.
The amount of data required to make these systems work together is massive. And that data gives fire investigators the potential to gather pre- and post-fire data on fire scene conditions.
Unexpected Risk
Think about that old coffee maker you love. Let’s say you buy a cheap smart plug, plug it in, and start your morning coffee from your bed. Sounds great, but this actually complicates the investigation. Controlling older devices remotely when they were not manufactured for that purpose can create dangerous issues. The availability and quality of these devices also add to the issue. There are many off-brand manufacturers of these devices. They’re inexpensive and easy for consumers to find. I can’t help but think of the worldwide lithium-ion battery issue we are currently experiencing. The intermix of these smart devices can make investigators jobs more difficult, as they can be found on any fire scene.3
The Ubiquity of Smart Devices
Smart devices have permeated our lives. They range from inexpensive gadgets available on online platforms to technology you’ll find throughout an entire home. And even traditional devices can be retrofitted to become smart, adding to the diversity and widespread usage of these devices. You do not have to be in a multimillion-dollar home to find a smart device. In fact, you can plug many devices into smart plugs and control them remotely.
Identifying Smart Devices in Fire Investigations
Differentiating between smart and nonsmart devices is crucial for fire investigators. Smart devices are built with additional components and features that enable connectivity and data collection.1 These devices may look identical to their nondata-collecting counterparts. However, some of these devices may have an indicator light that reveals the device’s condition. The internals are full of circuit boards, transmitters, and receivers for data.
As with all fire investigations, asking appropriate interview questions to the property owners and tenants is important. You may ask the following to assist in your investigation:
- Do you have any smart devices in the structure?
- What is their location?
- What is their purpose?
These devices can be hard to identify after a fire event, and a fire might destroy them. but all hope is not lost. It’s important to remember that although a device may have been destroyed, valuable data may have survived in the cloud.
The home control hub is another great source of data that can be accessed in reference to the devices it controls.1 It gives commands to the devices it controls and may have data that pertains to commands they’ve given or device status. These distinguishing factors can aid investigators in understanding the potential sources of data within a fire scene.
Implications of Identifying Smart Devices
The identification of a smart device within the suspected origin area or general area of a fire has significant implications for fire investigators. First, it suggests that important data related to the incident may be stored within the device or its cloud-based storage. The device itself does not have to be a suspect device to gain valuable data about the fire event.2 In fact, you may get more useful data for your timeline when the smart device is not directly involved in the initiation of the fire event. Smart devices can provide valuable information such as time stamps, temperature logs, and environmental data.1
The types of data these devices collect depend on each device’s type and function. Some examples include humidity, time stamps, water flows, device status on or off, ambient temperature, light levels, and much more. Some of these data points could be significant factors in timeline creation and fire movement throughout a structure. Additionally, the remote activation capability of smart devices raises the possibility of a remote incendiary scenario, necessitating further investigation and consideration.3
Using Smart Devices in Fire Investigation Timeline
Smart devices serve as valuable tools for constructing an accurate timeline of events during a fire. For example, the timestamp of a power strip being turned on, followed by a recorded temperature increase detected by a nearby smart bulb triggering its thermal cutoff, can provide insights into the fire’s progression within a structure.1 With the amount of data these various devices collect, you can, potentially, gain a clear picture of the fire event in an area or structure. Some devices also collect movement data, which can give an idea of the location of people within a structure, along with timestamps for that data.
This data can be key when you’re trying to determine victim movements and activities before and during a fire event. These devices can also reveal information about preexisting environmental conditions. You might get answers to questions including (or similar to) the following:
- Was the door open or closed?
- Was the heating or cooling system running?
- Was the back door locked or unlocked?
The possibilities are extensive. This data is useful for any fire event regardless of whether the smart device was directly involved in the fire’s initiation.
Challenges and Considerations for Investigators
The integration of smart devices into fire investigations presents both opportunities and challenges. Investigators must recognize the vast untapped potential of smart device data and its impact on their investigations. Accessing this data may require legal procedures, such as obtaining search warrants. It is important to note that the collection of this data generally requires advanced skills and data collection technology that is not available to most investigators.
Acquiring this data can be complex and requires knowledge of navigating the world of smart devices. Furthermore, there are legal implications and considerations involved in collecting and using this evidence, similar to any other type of evidence.1 It is important to remember this data may not always be available for a number of reasons. The data might be stored locally on the device affected by fire, it might have been autodeleted, or you may not be able to acquire it due to legal reasons.1 These challenges should not deter an investigator from attempting to obtain this valuable data as part of a thorough origin-and-cause fire investigation.
Collaboration and Expertise
Knowing when and where to seek assistance is crucial for fire investigators dealing with smart devices. Agencies like your local, state, and federal forensic labs as well as private sector labs have already begun exploring the intersection of smart devices and fire origin-and-cause investigations, offering valuable expertise and resources. Collection of this data is forensic evidence, and agencies versed in that type of evidence collection are a great start for any investigator.
Smart device data in fire investigations is a relatively new dataset. Much more research and testing needs to happen. Also, investigators and subject matter experts will need to write procedures for its collection and use. It is important for fire investigators to understand this data exists today and make it a part of their thorough fire investigation process.
Embracing Smart Devices for Thorough Investigations
Smart devices are rapidly becoming more prevalent and sophisticated. As technology advances, fire investigators must adapt and understand the implications of smart devices in their work. The identification of smart devices at fire scenes should prompt investigators to consider additional hypotheses and explore the potential data they hold. It is essential for members of the fire investigation community to familiarize themselves with smart devices and develop protocols for effectively accessing and using their data.
As fire investigators, we are always looking for more tools to put in our fire investigation toolbox. This is a major dataset that should become an extra tool in our toolboxes. This technology is advancing at a much faster rate than the average fire investigator can keep up with. Fast-advancing technology like this emphasizes the need for agencies to work together to come up with accurate hypotheses. These efforts ultimately will lead to thorough origin-and-cause fire investigations.
A New Approach
The integration of smart devices into fire investigations marks a paradigm shift in the way investigators approach their work. The ubiquity and sophistication of these devices offer a wealth of data that can prove invaluable in reconstructing the events leading to a fire.2
From temperature logs to movement data, smart devices contribute to a comprehensive timeline, shedding light on critical aspects of fire progression. However, this transformative potential comes with its own set of challenges. Identifying and accessing the data stored in smart devices require advanced skills, legal considerations, and collaboration with specialized agencies.
The rapidly advancing technology emphasizes the need for ongoing research and testing and the development of protocols to effectively incorporate smart device data into fire investigations. As technology continues to evolve, fire investigators must adapt and embrace the role of smart devices in their toolkit. Here’s why: Smart devices can help investigators determine the origin and cause of a fire. The future of fire investigations lies in the ability of investigators to navigate the complexities of smart devices, staying ahead of technological advancements to ensure thorough and accurate conclusions.
ENDNOTES
1. Servida, F. “Ok Google, Start a Fire. IoT devices as witnesses and actors in fire investigations.” Forensic Science International, vol. 348, July 2023. bit.ly/4e0UIOR.
2. Kim, S., Park, M., Lee, S., and Kim, J. “Smart Home Forensics—Data Analysis of IoT Devices.” Electronics, 28 July 2020. bit.ly/3WXw2kf.
3. Mahoney, N. “Hey Google! Where Did the Fire Start?” USLaw Magazine, Winter 2021/2022. bit.ly/3KqvnAg.
RAYMOND E. LANE, CFEI, CFO, IAAI FIT, began his fire service career as a junior firefighter in New Jersey at age 15. He joined his first career fire department and worked his way up to fire chief in his volunteer department while obtaining his bachelor’s degree in fire and emergency management. He joined his county fire marshal’s office soon after. After spending five years in the fire marshal’s office, he moved to Wyoming, where he is battalion chief and fire marshal for Jackson Hole (WY) Fire/EMS.
