To preserve evidence, when should overhaul be delayed until the fire's origin and cause are determined?

Delaying overhaul until the investigation is complete is crucial for preserving evidence in fire scenes. Overhaul refers to the process of systematically checking for hidden fires, extinguishing any remaining hotspots, and removing debris to ensure that the fire is fully out. However, this process can disturb the physical evidence that assists investigators in determining the fire’s origin and cause.

When a fire investigation is conducted, investigators rely on the scene's condition to gather critical information about how the fire started, the materials involved, and a timeline of events. Disturbing the scene too early can lead to the loss of key evidence that might suggest the use of accelerants, patterns of burn, or other crucial details that are necessary to piece together the fire's causes. By prioritizing the completion of the investigation before proceeding with overhaul, investigators can ensure that evidence remains intact and valid for further analysis, legal proceedings, or insurance claims.

The other choices tend to imply immediate or premature actions that could compromise the scene integrity, thus making them less suitable regarding the preservation of evidence.