To avoid disturbing evidence, what activity should be delayed until the origin and cause of a fire have been determined?

Delaying overhaul operations until the origin and cause of a fire have been determined is crucial to ensuring that any evidence related to the fire investigation remains intact. Overhaul involves searching for hidden fires and ensuring the fire is completely extinguished, which can inadvertently disturb or destroy important physical evidence that could provide insight into how the fire started and spread. By postponing these operations, investigators can conduct a thorough assessment of the scene, preserving any clues that might indicate the fire's cause.

In contrast, activities such as strategic goals, evidence documentation, and exposure control can typically be initiated without compromising the integrity of the scene. Strategic goals involve planning and organization, which will not interfere with evidence. Evidence documentation should be prioritized and occur concurrently with the investigation to ensure all pertinent information is captured before any changes to the scene. Exposure control can also often be addressed without impacting the investigation into the fire's origin. Therefore, it is essential to delay overhaul operations until a complete assessment of the fire scene has been accomplished.