Electrical Equipment and Products
Small Appliances

Prior to entering the fire scene, don appropriate PPE.

 

Detailed Procedure

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At the electrical service panel:

1. Visually examine the electrical service to ensure all circuits are de-energized and electrical products can be safely collected.

2. Photograph the panel.

3. Sketch or diagram the scene and evidence to be collected, noting the circuit of interest.

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Proceed to the small appliance collection site. Small appliances may bear fingerprints or trace evidence and therefore should be handled as little as possible and with gloved hands, avoiding contact with boundary surfaces as much as possible.

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To collect the small appliance:

1. Photograph the area as found. 

2. Apply a non-contact voltage tester to the appliance cord and any supplying receptacle as a presumptive test for the presence of electrical current. Use a multimeter as appropriate. If current is not detected, proceed.

3. To facilitate potential collection in the future, document which branch circuit overcurrent protection device and receptacle supplied the subject appliance.

4. Use the general to specific methodology to photograph the small appliance in place. Continue photographing the process as you collect the appliance.

5. Excavate around the appliance and line cord to be collected.  Locate all components, including internal components, line cord, and plug blades. Sift the debris with various sized mesh screens, if necessary.

6. Photograph the area again after excavation.

7. When an appliance is plugged into a receptacle, the receptacle is typically collected as one assembly with the attached line cord, its appliance, and any extension cord or relocatable power tap or strip that may be attached. Only unplug the appliance in the field if all interested parties have been notified and agree. If the appliance is to be unplugged so the plug blade markings can be documented and used for product identification, note this on the evidence log and/or in your investigative notes.

   1. ​If you are also collecting the receptacle the appliance is plugged into, follow the procedure for freeing the receptacle from its mounting first.

   2. Cut the drywall or other wall covering away from around the receptacle.

   3. Witness mark the electrical supply lines with zip ties or a paint pen.

   4. Use a paint pen to note the orientation of the receptacle on the unit.

   5. Remove the receptacle box from the wall stud.

   6. Use a diagonal cutting tool to cut the supply lines between the witness marks.

   7. Once the receptacle is free, proceed with collecting the entire appliance assembly (see step 8).

   8. After you have collected the small appliance and receptacle, collect the branch circuit overcurrent protection device, if appropriate.

8. To collect the small appliance and any attached cord and freed receptacle:

   1. ​Gather the containers and tools necessary. Typically, boxes or zip plastic bags are used.

   2. Wear new, unused, clean latex or nitrile gloves.

   3. If possible, use a paint pen or permanent marker to make witness marks on any controls, knobs, dials, or switches to document the “as found” position in case the control moves during transport.

   4. Carefully remove the appliance, line cord, and any attached items from their location.

   5. Use zip ties or a similar method to secure the appliance, its cord, and any attached relocatable power tap and/or receptacle to a backer board.

   6. If using an appropriately sized box to package the appliance:

   7. Place the backer board and all associated evidence in an appropriately sized box to prevent damage to or alteration of the appliance.  Use a box taller than the height of the collected items to prevent contact between the appliance’s boundary surface and the packaging.

   8. Seal the box with evidence security tape.

   9. Initial and date the tape.

   10. Label the box consistent with your organization’s SOP.

   11. If using an appropriately sized bag to package the appliance:

   12. Wrap or cover the control-bearing side of appliance with cardboard or other media and secure the cardboard in place. 

   13. Insert the appliance into a zip bag.

   14. Zip the bag closed.

   15. Seal the closure with evidence security tape.

   16. Initial and date the tape.

   17. Label the bag according to your organization’s SOP.

   18. If collecting loose components:

   19. Place them in a separate plastic zip bag from the main appliance assembly.

   20. Zip the bag closed.

   21. Seal the closure with evidence security tape.

   22. Initial and date the tape.

   23. Place the bag in the larger bag or box with the appliance.

   24. If needed, secure the components bag to prevent movement.

   25. Label the packaging with case information according to your organization’s SOP.

   26. Store the collected items in a secure location until you can transport them to the laboratory.

   27. Transport the collected items to a climate-controlled, secure evidence storage facility consistent with your organization’s guidelines. If you will be shipping the evidence to a lab, consult the lab for advice on how to package for shipping so the evidence is not damaged in transit.

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After you have collected the electrical extension cord or device assembly, collect the branch circuit overcurrent protection device, if appropriate:

1. Apply a non-contact voltage tester to the panel as a presumptive test for the presence of electrical current. 

2. Use a multimeter as appropriate. 

3. Witness mark the overcurrent protection device on the circuit of interest to denote which one it is. 

4. Use zip ties or a paint pen to witness mark the branch circuit line. 

5. With diagonal cutters, cut between the witness marks. 

6. Pry the overcurrent protection device and the attached branch circuit wire piece out. Place in a zip bag and close. 

7. Label the bag according to your organization’s SOP. 

8. Seal the bag with evidence tape. 

9. Initial and date the tape.

10. Store the collected items in a secure location until you can transport them to the laboratory.

11. Transport the collected items to a climate-controlled, secure evidence storage facility consistent with your organization’s guidelines. If you will be shipping the evidence to a lab, consult the lab for advice on how to package for shipping so the evidence is not damaged in transit.

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If the electrical equipment or appliance will also be examined for ignitable liquid residue, please consult the laboratory for the proper collection procedure. Items should not be air-dried or packaged in an air-permeable container if they will be examined for ignitable liquid residue.

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Laboratory testing of small appliances:

Examination of small appliances in a laboratory environment may provide an opportunity to evaluate and document internal components and line cords for melting or electrical activity with the assistance of light microscopy, x-ray, computer tomography, metallurgical evaluation, or SEM/EDS analysis.