Arson Flashcards
In determining the seat of the fire the specialist fire investigator will consider
Witness reports
The state of the fire at that time
Wind direction and speed
The direction of spread
The colour of flames and smoke
Severity of damage
Depth of charring
Presence of starting devices
Five examples of carelessness that might result in a fire
Children playing with matches or lighters
Ironing
Setting off fireworks
Leaving clothing near heaters
Leaving stove or heater on
Smoking
5 materials used to start a fire
Molotov cocktails
Candles
Matches and cigarettes
Trailers
Electric matches
Electrical apparatus
Police responsibility’s at a fire scene examination and investigation
Conduct criminal investigation or coronial enquiry
Protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence
Collection and removal of material from a fire crime scene
Preservation, analysis and subsequent disposition of material
Powers conferred by section 42 of fire and emergency New Zealand act 2017
Enter any land, building or structure
Break into any building or structure that may be in fire or otherwise endangered
Take or send equipment or machine that may be required to be used into the building or structure
Remove from any building or structure any flammable, combustible material or dangerous item
Cause any structure that is endangered or on fire to be torn down
Cause any building to be pulled down or shored up at the time or afterwards
Fire service specialist investigator will liaise with a police fire investigation liaison officer in relation to four specific matters what are they
Hand over if the fire scene
Access to the fire scene
Explain Process for examination and investigation
Identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene
Natural causes of fire
Lighting
Suns rays
Static electricity
Chemical reaction
Evidence of wilful causes of fire
Evidence of explosives
Evidence of accelerants
Evidence of intentional interference
Intentional removable of valuable property
What conferences assist with
Identifying suspects
Reconstructing the scene
Pending further inquiries
Establishing possible motives
Who attends conferences
OC CIB
OC Investigation
Police photographer
Fingerprints/SOCO
Power under section 28 Fire Services act 1975
Close roads
Remove people interfering with operations
Enter private property on fire to perform one’s duties
Do all things necessary to procure t life and property
When do Specialist fire investigators attend a fire
Fire with fatalities
Fire with serious injuries
Fire where safety features have failed
Fires with suspicious circumstances
Significant fire spread over properties
What protective clothing should be worn at a fire scene
Helmet
Nose and mouth filter
Overalls
Gloves
Steel capped shoes
People to be interviewed at a fire
Owner of property
Person last secured property
Person who found fire
Person who gave alarm
Bystanders
People loitering
R v Harpur
Conduct may be viewed cumulatively up to the point when the conduct stops, the defendants conduct may be considered in its entirety, how much remains to done is relevant but not determinative