Field reference · Energy Forensics Group

Battery-fire evidence-preservation checklist

For lithium-ion fires — e-bikes, power tools, energy storage, EVs, and consumer devices. Share with adjusters, counsel, and first responders.

Safety first. Damaged lithium-ion cells can reignite — sometimes hours or days after the initial fire — and can release toxic and flammable gases. Do not attempt any of the steps below until the scene is confirmed safe by qualified personnel. When in doubt, keep clear and call an investigator.

1 Secure the scene & watch for reignition

Confirm the fire is fully out and the scene is released by the fire department.
Treat suspect cells and packs as capable of reigniting; keep them clear of combustibles.
Restrict access so evidence is not moved, handled, or "tidied up."
Note environmental conditions (location, weather, temperature) if outdoors.

2 Document everything before anything moves

Photograph the overall scene, then work inward to the suspected area of origin.
Capture wide, medium, and close-up shots of the device, pack, and charger in place.
Photograph burn patterns, and surroundings, including what did not burn.
Record make, model, and any serial or batch numbers still legible.
Add a scale reference and timestamp; take video narration if helpful.

3 Leave the evidence in place

Leave the device, battery pack, charger, and cables where they are — all are evidence, and moving damaged cells risks reignition, injury, and spoliation.
Isolate and secure the area around the evidence instead of moving the items.
Do not disassemble, probe, test, or attempt to "make safe" the battery.
If a genuine safety hazard requires relocation, have the fire department or other qualified personnel do it — never a layperson, and never into a sealed, airtight container (damaged cells vent flammable gases).
Do not discard or sweep up fragments — even fragmented cells carry origin information. Leave remains undisturbed.

4 Capture the history

Preserve purchase records, packaging, manuals, and listing/certification marks.
Note whether the battery or charger was original equipment or aftermarket.
Record charging habits, prior damage, drops, or previous overheating events.
Identify and preserve witness accounts of what was seen, heard, or smelled.
Secure any app, telemetry, or BMS data for larger systems.

5 Establish chain of custody

Leave collection to a qualified investigator, or to an inspection protocol agreed among the interested parties — not to whoever is on scene.
Begin a written custody log the moment any item is collected.
Record who collected each item, when, from where, and every transfer after.
Label and photograph items as packaged; keep the log with the evidence.
Limit handling to as few people as possible.

6 Avoid spoliation & coordinate

Do not conduct any destructive examination before other parties are on notice.
Identify potentially responsible parties and preserve their opportunity to inspect.
Arrange joint examination protocols where multiple parties are involved.
Engage a qualified battery-fire investigator before evidence is altered.

✕ Never do these

Move, handle, or transport a suspect battery yourself — leave it in place for qualified personnel.
Submerge, freeze, or "cool" a suspect battery to make it safe.
Throw away, recycle, or return the battery, device, or charger.
Disassemble the pack or pull cells apart to "see what happened."
Seal cells in airtight containers or ship them without expert guidance.
Let a single party run a destructive exam without notice to the others.

When to call an investigator

The earlier the better — ideally before evidence is moved or examined. If a battery fire caused significant property damage, injury, or a potential subrogation or product-liability claim, a qualified investigator can guide preservation and joint-exam logistics from the start.

We aim to respond to new-loss inquiries within one business day.

(262) 707-8361