What should firefighters do with non-burned clothing found at the scene?

Labeling and securing non-burned clothing found at a fire scene is critical for several reasons. First, this practice helps maintain the integrity of any potential evidence that may be related to the fire investigation. Non-burned clothing could contain important materials or residues that investigators need to analyze for determining the cause of the fire. By properly labeling and securing the clothing, firefighters ensure that these pieces of evidence are preserved and can be handled appropriately by investigators later.

Additionally, labeling helps identify the clothing as belonging to specific individuals, which can be important for victim identification, insurance claims, or potential legal inquiries. Proper chain of custody for evidence, including clothing found at the scene, is crucial in legal proceedings that may arise from the incident.

Furthermore, simply discarding the clothing may destroy evidence that could lead to a deeper understanding of the fire's circumstances, while donating it or allowing it to dry before handling does not address the need for evidence preservation and can also jeopardize the investigation. Thus, the correct action of labeling and securing the clothing aligns with the protocols established for fire scene management and evidence integrity.