ARSON Flashcards
Natural causes of fire?
Lightening.
The sun rays.
Static electricity.
Chemical reaction
What the specialist Fire Investigator and fire investigation Liaison Office discuss H.A.P.I
Handover of the scene
Access to the fire scene
Process for examination and investigation
Identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene
In determining the seat of the fire, the SFI (specialist Fire Investigator) will consider:
Wind direction and speed, weather
Witness reports
The colour of the flames and smoke
The direction of spread
Carelessness that might result in a fire:
Kids playing with matches or lighters
Ironing
Setting off fireworks
Smoking
Common methods of setting fires:
Matches and cigarettes
Electric matches
Trailers
Electrical apparatus
Role of Fire Investigation Liaison Officer (FILO)
Attend every fire that result in serious injury or death
Arrange police attendance at fire scene when required
Assist area and district with fire investigation related inquiries
Coordinate fire investigation training for police employees in the area and district
What to ask incident controller at the scene
Time and date the call was made and the manner it was received
What appliance attended
What state the fire was in when fire arrived
Whether they thought the fire suspicious and if so why?
Evidence of wilful causes of fire
Evidence of explosive
Evidence of accelerants
Evidence of intentional interference
Intentional removal of valuable property
What conferences assist with and who attends
IRAPE
Identifying suspects Reconstructing of a scene Assessing information obtained Pending further inquires Establishing possible motives ATTENDS O/C CIB O/C Investigation Police photographer Fingerprint technician / SOCO
Power under the fire service Act 1975 – S28
Close roads
Remove people in danger or interfering with operations, use reasonable force necessary
Enter private property when it is on fire or if entry is necessary to perform one’s duty
Do all things necessary to protect life and property
Power of authorised person in relation to land, building or structure. Section 42 (1) – Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017
Enter and land building or structure
Break into any building or structure that may be on fire or otherwise endangered
Take or send any equipment or machine required into, through or upon any land, building or structure
Remove from any land, building or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered, any flammable, combustible, explosive, or dangerous material
Cause any building or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered to be pulled down of shored up at the time of the emergency or within a reasonable time afterwards
How to link a suspect to an arson
Burnt facial skin
Products of combustion on skin
Smell of smoke
Residue of fuel
Suspect enquires - Step 5 complete enquires to establish the suspects MMOCC
Motive Men’s Rea Opportunity Connection with the scene and crime Character, mental background, history, movements, and behaviour
Specialist Fire investigator attend and investigate:
Fire where fatalities occur
Fire with serious life-threatening injuries occur
Fire and buildings where fire safety features have failed
Structure fires where cause is suspicious or not determined
Significant fire spread across property boundaries
Protective clothing that should be worn at a scene
Helmet Nose and mouth filter Overalls Gloves Footwear with steel soles and caps
People who should be interviewed
Owner/ Occupier of the house Person who last secured the house Person who found the fire Person who gave the alarm Bystanders People loitering Media Local Police
Guarding and controlling a fire scene
Watch for possible suspects Avoid interference with the scene Prevent looting Prevent further fire damage Preserve evidence
Steps to follow in relation to an exhibit at a fire scene
Photograph in situ, label the exhibits and preserve them in containers
Use approved arson kits if available, if not use suitable containers
Take control samples such as: charred timber and ashes or debris from the seat of fire, any accelerant find near the scene, soil from surrounding the area
The point of origin in the exact location in which
A component failed
An accidental fire originated
A fire was maliciously lit
At the conclusion of the examination you will be able to determine
Seat of fire
Area of origin
Point of origin
Where it is difficult to preserve the scene, the investigator must record the scene prior to demolition by:
Photos
Videos
Sketch
Plan
Preliminary internal examination
Missing family photos, personal items
Open filing cabinets or missing files
Building area in need of repair
Signs of hardship
Detailed internal examination completed by SFI accompanied by Police
Damage to roofing timber
Damages to wall studs
Damage to window skills
Damage to skirting boards
External examination takes into account
Yards and outbuilding of the fire affected property
Adjoining premisses which often reveal accelerant, attempts, forced entry, broken window, forced doors
What distance debris was scattered
Nearby alleyways, streets, driveways
External examination- the surrounding area may also reveal
Business appears to be struggling
Content of building missing
Accelerant containers
Property rundown
External examination- the damaged structure may reveal
Jimmy marks or other signs of forced entry
Burn patterns above doors or windows
Window glass broken before fire was ignited
Conduct a preliminary interview with the owner. Find out
When the premises were last secured Whether he or she knows the cause of fire Details of any suspects and insurance Type of business Actions leading up to the fire
Characteristics caused by explosives
Spread of debris Shedding of materials Shrapnel marks Overlays of dust cratering
Initial Action- Fire involving explosives
Do not handle or interference with anything unfamiliar, could be a second device
Don’t use cell phone, portable radios or transmitting device
Evacuate scene for at least 100m, ensure people leave take belonging with them
Consider using explosive detector dog
If IED is located, immediately obtain assistance of an IED operator from the department of labour
Give regular sitrep to comms
Intentional fires designed to look like electrical faults
Clothing on heaters
Toaster with nearby curtains
Leaving pit on stove element
Electric urns, bread makers, water heaters, deep fryers and rice cookers
Suspects enquires procedure- Step 1, You may identify the suspects by means of:
Media response
Fingerprints
Information from informants and witnesses
Intelligence officer of FILO
Suspect enquires procedure- Step 2, Possible suspects may include:
The owner or occupier for insurance fraud
An aggrieved person suffering from jealousy, hatred, rage or a desire for revenge
A pyromaniac
A business competitor to disadvantage a rival
Suspect enquires procedure- Step 6, consider a Search Warrant
When executing a search warrant, search suspects:
Clothing, residence, vehicle, and workplace Evidence could include: Accelerant Containers Ignites Traces of debris
Police responsibilities at a fire scene examination and investigation
Police must:
Conduct criminal investigation and coronial enquiry
Protect, collect and recording of forensic evidence
Collect and remove material from crime scene
Preservation, analysis, and subsequent disposition of any such material is the responsibility of Police
Other powers of authorised person- S44 (1) FENZ Act 2017
Shut of water from any main or pipe in order to obtain a greater pressure and supply of water
Close any road or railway in the vicinity of the emergency
Remove any vehicle impeding and use force or break in if necessary
Remove any person who is interfering with operations or is in danger
Shut off or disconnect the supply of gas, fuel, oil or electricity to any building on fire or in the vicinity
Do all the necessary things to preserve life and prevent damage to property and land
Providing explosive to commit an offence Section 272, Crimes Act 1961
Knowledge - Defendant must know the substance is in his possession and know it to be an explosive substance
dangerous engine, instrument or thing means a device intended to explode or cause fire or emission of noxious things
Defendant must make the explosive or have it in his possession.
Possession - The defendant must intend the explosive to be used by another person to commit an offence
No need for the defendant to know the ID of person who will use it or the nature of the offence to be committed
