About how many agents are on an ATF team that would come to help in fire-cause determination on large-scale incidents?

• A. 15
• B. 10
• C. 20
• D. 25

Answer: (A)

In a large incident, having enough hands on the scene is essential to thoroughly determine the origin, collect and preserve evidence, interview witnesses, and coordinate with other agencies. The ATF typically deploys a team of about 15 agents for fire-cause determination on big incidents. This size provides enough personnel to cover key roles—lead investigators, several field investigators, accelerant-detection or technical specialists, a scene security and evidence custodian, a photography/logging person, and a liaison for multi-agency coordination—while also allowing for shifts and breaks so the investigation can progress methodically without gaps.

Choosing a much smaller team, like ten, could strain capabilities across these tasks, while a much larger team—around twenty or twenty-five—often isn’t necessary and can complicate on-scene coordination. The "about" 15 figure reflects a practical balance for effective on-site work.