Robert K.

Toth, IAAI-CFI

Seen on Scene Seen on Scene

provided the opportunity to get a close up showing the outlet was indeed in the on position at the time of the re (Figure 3). I experimented with a different compact ash card while taking the pictures using different focal lengths with the magnifying glass. By using this technique, I was able to get different shots of the beading on the wiring as to the location orientation in which it was found. Unfortunately, a full electrical analysis was not possible due to destruction of the electrical wiring. Therefore, the re was classied as undetermined. The magnifying glass

[This edition of Seen on Scene is brought to us by David Zehring, Fire Investigator for the Town of Gilbert, Arizona.]

Simple Way to Obtain Macro Photography

On September 24, 2006, I was dispatched to a working residential re, when I arrived on scene the reghters were in a defensive operation. The homeowner was out of town at the time of the re; therefore, the re vented through the roof from the exterior of the home. It was too dangerous for the reghters to enter the interior, so a ladder truck and large size hand lines were used to extinguish the re. The construction of the home was wood framed, and consisted of a single level with a basement. By the time the reghters had the re under control, the center portion of the roof either collapsed inward or burned away.

Figure 2 - Picture shot with camera held against the magnifying glass.

was going to get the close photographs of the wiring to capture the condition of the wiring.

The magnifying glass that I was using gave me the idea of putting it to the camera lens to see if I could get a clear close up shot. When I started conducting my investigation I tried several different shots exI founded electrical wiring in several secperimenting each time. I held the tions of the wall and attic that had beading magnifying glass several inches on the wiring. To document my ndings from my camera lens. (Figure I needed to get a close up of the beading 1) The photograph turned out, so that I could show my ndings to the but still lacked the close up that electrical engineer that was assisting me I was looking for. I then put the in my investigation. I wanted to protect magnifying glass against the the wires as much as possible, but when camera lens and was able to get a using my Nikon D70s with an 18 to 70 focused close up shot of the wirMM lens, I was unable to obtain the close ing. (Figure 2) The picture was Figure 3 - Picture of switch with the magnifying glass pressed up photograph. During my investigation I clear. This technique allowed me against the camera lens shows switch was in the on position. was using a magnifying glass looking for to get a close photo of the wiring arcing, beading and penciling. Without condition without potentially damage to the that I used was approximately the same size having a macro lens I was not sure how I wire. In addition, there was a light switch as my camera lens (68mm). In the future if on the wall that I need to take close up photography, I will powered some have my magnifying glass close by. of the wiring. I wanted to docThank you David, as always, I would ument the posiencourage all of you who have ideas, or tion of the light techniques that have worked for you in the switch to see past, to share them with the membership. I if it was in the have received a few (a very few) and hope on or off posito highlight them in the future. You dont tion. Through have to write an entire article, but just drop the lens the me an email with the idea or technique to switch apfirecop@comcast.net. In order that my peared to be in email program does not immediately toss the on position. you in the junk mailbox because it does With the magnot recognize your name, please place nifying glass Seen on Scene in the Subject line of your pressed against email. After reviewing the email and your the lens, I was idea, if I need additional information for Figure 1 - Picture shot through a magnifying glass. the article I will contact you.

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OCTOBER 2007FIRE & ARSON INVESTIGATOR