Arson Flashcards
Define reckless disregard.
It must be proved that the offender intended to damage the property recognising that there was a risk of damaging other property but I proceeded regardless of the risk.
Detailed internal examination
DSDSDS SERF
Smoke deposits and burn patterns Damage to wall studs Soot deposits on windows/glass Damage to roofing timbers Spalling Damage to windowsills or door edges
Skirting board damage
Elimination of false low burns
Removal of fire debris and underfloor inspection
Floor areas burnt through
Attempt to commit arson
There must be an intent to commit arson the person must be sufficiently approximate.
And the acts maybe sufficiently approximate
What should you look for in a scene involving explosives
SSACSS
Cratering
spread of debris’s
smell Particula to exploded material
An overlay of dust
Shredding of material
Shrapnell marks
What Enquiries should you carry out with insurance companies following a fire.
PPICT
Particulars of insurance (premises and contents) policy type.
prior claims details
Increases in cover (details).
Copies of policies
The service of assessor (value of building and damage)
(these may indicate motive and the insurance Council of New Zealand can provide information if suspected that building is insured by multiple companies)
Initial action: first people to interview?
1 -Briefly interview informant do not overlook they maybe offender.
2-Initial interview of fire service inspector if present or OC first fire appliance to attend.
3-the incident controller at the scene.
When must the fire service report of fire to police?
When a fire service attend a fire that results in-
Serious injury or Death Or Fire service consider suspicious
When speaking to fire incident controller what must you ask them?
SASASASIC
state of fire on arrival
Action taken by fire service with regard to entry and ventilation
Suspicious fire in nature and why
Appliances which attended
Security info about building
Alterations to the scene-force windows/doors
Suspicious previous all vehicles in vicinity
Informant-opinions of informant
Call-time/date/manner received
Under which circumstances can a person be held criminally liable for recklessness with regard to fires?
(when are you not legally allowed to sit fires)
If they know or ought to know that danger to life is likely to ensure
If they have no interest in the property destroyed
If they know that the fire is likely to damage or destroy someone else’s property as a consequence
With regard to fire scene safety, in order to identify the best method of protection, you must consider?
SAFETY
Scene hazards present at the scene(assessment).
Air quality - inhaling toxic substances
Falling objects from above.
Eliminate, isolate, minimise hazards. Strategy to assist with incident prevention.
Tripping on fire debris
Yelping - cutting and wounding objects Warning
Guarding and controlling the scene?
(Fire extinguished and attending police be aware of)
RRAP PLEB
Reignition from hotspots
Report all matters of significance-to crime scene coordinator, of investigation
Avoid interfering with scene
Prevent looting
Preserving exhibits
Locate possible witnesses amongst crowds
Exclude onlookers, property owners and anyone else
Be vigilant which for possible suspects
What eight initial action steps must you take when dealing with fires not involving explosives?
One) informant-consider if offender
Two) scene-security controlled
Three) interview - scene fire inspector and first attending appliance
Four) interview - incident controller
Five) fire extinguished? Safety of the scene - conference with scene fire inspector + police ( prelim exam)
Six) suspicious- regroup, hold briefing conference.
Seven) conference - plan of action - deploy staff - guard control scene - id and interview witnesses - conduct area enquiries.
Eight) comm’s - sitrep - assistance and specialists
What should be done following a scene examination?
Record all decisions and why they were made
All considerations must be documented with detailed plan of action completed that has been agreed upon.
A risk assessment must be documented and relayed to all persons present.
(Both moral and legal obligations for the safety of all persons at the scene).
When preserving a fire scene what three steps should be taken by scene guard on arrival.
One-ID centre of scene.
Two -set boundaries and tape off the scene locate most obvious evidence furthers away from the scene.
Three-in larger seen natural boundaries could be used to dictate zones.
Definition-and without claim are right
Section 2 crimes act 1961
In relation to any act
Means a belief at the time of the act
In a proprietary and possessory right to property
In relation to which the alleged offence have been committed
Although that belief may be based on ignorance
Or mistake of fact
Or any matter of law
Other than The enactment against which the
Offence is alleged to have been committed
Definition explosive
Section 2 arms act 1983
Any substance or mixture or combination of substances which in its normal state is capable either of decomposition at such a rate as to result in an explosion or of producing a pyrotechnic effect.
Including gunpowder nitroglycerin and dynamite.
Does not include firearms and any fireworks
Definition immovable property
Property that is currently fixed in place and unable to be moved, even though it may be possible to make it movable.
Definition property
Section 2 crimes act 1961
Property includes any real or personal property and any estate or interest in any real or personal property, money, electricity and any debt
And anything that is in action and any other right or interest
Definition vehicle
Section 2 land transport act 1998
Vehicle contrivance equipped with wheels, tracks and revolving runners on which it moves or is moved
Definition ship
Section 2 crimes act 1961
vessel used in navigation, however propelled
Definition aircraft
Section 2 civil aviation act 1990
Any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of air
Definition or to know that danger to life is likely to ensure
Life in this context means human life,
And the danger must be to the life of someone other than the defendant.
Definition if he or she knows.
Semester and Brookbanks
Knowing means knowing or correctly believing.
The belief must be a correct one, where the belief is wrong person cannot know something.
Definition obtain
Section 217, crimes act 1961
Obtain
Means to obtain or retain for himself or herself or any other person.
Definition benefit
Section 267 (4), crimes act 1961
Any privilege, pecuniary advantage, valuable consideration, property or service or privilege.
Materials used to start a fire?
MCMCME
Candles
Chemicals
Electrical apparatus
Molotov cocktail’s
Matches/cigarettes
Matches-electronic
When careless might result in fire?
Five examples
Welding
Ironing
Burning rubbish
Smoking
Fireworks
Children playing with matches
Miss using electricity
The fire service specialist fire investigator will liaise with the police fire investigator in relation to for specific matters?
HAPI
Handover of fire scene
Access of fire scene
Process of examination/investigation
ID and collection of evidence
Section 28 fire service act 1975, powers?
RECC
Remove-vehicles impeding fire service
Remove-people in danger, interfering with fire service operations, using force of necessary.
Enter-private property if on fire or endangered or it is essential to preform necessary duty.
Close-roads
Purpose of a conference?
Three reasons
One-form the basis for the scene examination
Two-risk assessment planning
Three-so a detailed plan of action can be agreed upon
External exam
Five reasons
One-Adjoining premises- A) accelerant containers B) attempts for century C) broken windows D) for stores
Two-nearby alleyways/streets/driveways
Three-yards and buildings of fire effected property
Four-periphery of the structured self
five-distance to bree we are scattered, praticularly if drums, cylinders have exploded.
Determining seat of the fire, fire safety officer (fco) will consider.
WWW SS CD PR
Witness reports
When first noticed the fire-where they were at the time
wind direction or the spread.
State of fire at the time
Severity of the damage
Colour of the flames/smoke
Depth of charring
Presence of starting device
Reports and opinions of other specialists.
External exam may reveal
ABCP
Accelerant containers
Business appears to be struggling
Contents of our buildings missing
Property rundown
Pre-lim internal exam
Soups bomb ll
Signs of hardship
Owner/occupier attitude during walk-through
Unusual odours
Presence of accelerant containers or trails
Separate unrelated seats of fire
Burn patterns
Open filing cabinet/files missing
Missing family photos/personal items
Building in need of repairs
Lack of clothing in wardrobe
Low stock
Detailed internal exam
DSDSDS SERF
Damage to wall studs
Smoke deposits and burn patterns
Damage to roofing timbers
Soot deposits on windows/glass
Damage to windowsills/door edges
Skirting board damage
Spalling
Elimination of false low burns
Removal of fire debris and under floor inspection
Floor areas burnt through
Who attends conferences?
7
OC cib OC investigations Police photographer Police SOCO and fingerprints Fire investigation liaison officer (FILO) Specialist fire investigator Other specialists
Following a conference you should then?
AAAA
Appoint exhibits officer
Appoint crime scene coordinator if required
Appoint scene examination
Advise fire investigation liaison officer
At the conclusion of the examination the fire investigator will be able to determine?
One -area of origin
Two-point of origin
Three- the seat of the fire
Describe exhibit handling?
- Photograph in situ label and preserve exhibits
- use approved arse and cats or suitable containers
- take control of samples
Chard timber, ashes from Sera fire. Examine and compare with samples from other parts.
any accelerants found near scene
Soil from surrounding area.
What are the five modes of offending?
Modus operandi
Motive
Intent
Opportunity
Capability
Suspect enquiries?
One) you may identify suspects by means of-
Circumstances of fire
Fingerprints
Info from informant/witnesses
Media response
Two) possible suspects may include
Owner/occupier insurance fraud
Employee-cover-up theft/fraud
Criminal-cover traces of crime
Pyromaniac
Three) investigate suspects (thoroughly and according to priority)
For particulars
Criminal history and associates
Vehicles
Photograph
Possible motives?
Profit
Fraud
Jealousy
Crime concealment
Excitement
Vandalism
Pyromaniac
Conferences must be held during the scene examination to assist with?
(Five)
RAPII -D
1-assessing information
2-reconstructing
3-ID possible motives
4-ID suspects
5-plan further inquiries
Points of origin
In the exact location where
MAC
A malicious fire was started
An accidental fire originated
A component failed
Fire personnel to interview at scene?
Five
OC first attending appliance
Fire incident controller
Firefighters
Fire safety officer
Fire investigation coordinator
Questions to ask the owner?
When premises was last secured
Whether they know the cause of the fire
Details of insurance
Any suspects
Type of business
Actions leading up to fire
Difference between gas explosion and somebody setting off and explosion?
Explosions caused by gas generally cover a wide area and also don’t leave a crater then those caused by an explosive.
Medical evidence in relation to gas in hailed can be present.
Explosives initial action
rice dic
Regular sit reps to in NBDC
Inform national bomb data centre at police national headquarters.
Could be secondary explosive-don’t touch anything
Evacuate hundred meter zone, insure all personal Items are taken
Don’t use cell phones or radios
If IED located, contact IED operator, consider arm services
Cool stuff blows up
What do fire offices/investigators look for and fire damage?
DSS
Soot
Smoke damage
Decomposition of property
Things to suggest fire was started wilfully?
Accelerants
Evidence of accelerants, uneven burning
Smell of petrol or chemicals
Furniture
Furniture rearranged to create firebase
Hindering Access
Intentional removal of valuable property
Fire
Multiple seats
Uneven burning
Unusual rapid spread
Building
Windows/skylights left open for draft
Heating, soldering iron, other electrical appliance left on
Crime had been committed
Evidence of tampering with smoke/sprinkle system
What effect does fire have on timber steel concrete and masonry?
Timber
Will normally burn in China. In most instances if that enough it will maintain sufficient integrity.
Steel
Initial stages of fire, unprotected steel will expand causing external and internal walls to push out. However if there is sufficient fuel unprotected steel will lose strength and collapse pulling walls inwardly.
Concrete
Concrete can break away at the surface and also collapse. Steel reinforcing maybe exposed and lose it’s tensile strength.
Masonry
Can be weakened by deterioration Of the mortar. Expansion and cracking of walls or damage to structural members.
When executing the warrant, what should you look for?
Accelerants
Containers
Igniters
Wick fabric
Traces of debris from the scene
Photograph evidence in situ before deceased (take care not to destroy anything a prince)
Issue a police 268 for any property seized.
Common electrical ignition sources and techniques?
Heaters and clothing
Electric lamp and petrol igniters
Ignition of the main switchboard wiring by use of gas torch applied to the earth or natural bars.
Fallen table or standard lamp in conjunction with combustible material’s
Toaster with nearby curtains
Leaving a pot of Stew on the stove element
Ceiling exhaust fans
The police responsibilities at a fire scene and Investigation are?
- Conduct a criminal investigation or Coronial enquiry
- undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence.
- the collection and removal of material from a fire crime scene will only be done by police or other agencies with the authority to remove evidence
The preservation, analysis and subsequent disposition of any material is the responsibility of police or other agency.
Section 32 fire services act 1975 powers?
Police may exercise these powers under section 28 of the fire service act 1975 if quarter porn to do so by the member of the fire service in charge of the fire.
Natural causes of fire?
Sunrays
Lightning
Static electricity
Chemical reactions
Rodent eating through wire
Definitions interest
Interest is not defined by legislation
However the courts have held that tenancy of a property constitutes as an interest in it.
When conducting a preliminary internal exam of a fire scene where should you start?
The area of lease damage working towards the area of most damage.
Definition intent?
In criminal law context there are two specific types of intent in an offence.
Firstly there must be an intention to commit an act and secondly an intention to get a specific result.
What is a clean path method?
When the path is created to the centre of the scene by rolling clean unused rolls of plastic or using Stepping plates.
Having an analyst immediately start swapping the area working outwards from the seat
Vertical sheets of iron adjacent are often good sources of residue.
Why would a clean path method be used?
Used for explosive scenes as residues are often slight and dissipate rapidly.
OC scene may need to authorise an expert to enter the centre of the scene before it has been fully examined.
Legally you are allowed to set fire to your own property, unless you?
-Intent to cause loss to someone else as a result of the fire
No all to know that the firewall in danger life
Know that the fire is likely to destroy or damage someone else’s property as a consequence.
The fire service specialist fire investigator will liaise with the designated police fire investigator liaison officer or other member of police in relation to four specific matters.
HAPI
Handover of the fire scene
Access to the fire scene
Process for examination and investigation
Identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene
Five examples of carelessness that might result in fire could include
Mis using electricity
Children playing with matches, cigarette lighter’s and so on
Burning of paint
Vagrants lighting fires
Welding and other industrial processes
Leaving cloths near heating
Wrapping up live ashes on paper
Ironing
Setting off fireworks
Burning rubbish
Using the Mystikal campfires
Leaving a Stove or heater on
Leaving fat unattended while cooking
Smoking
In determining the seat of the fire the specialist fire investigator Will consider?
Witness reports
When they first noticed the fire and where they were at the time
The state of the fire at the time
Wind direction and speed, weather
The direction of spread colour of flames and smoke.
Severity of the damage
Depth of charring
The presence of starting devices
Reports and opinions from other specialists
The powers conferred by section 42 of the fire emergency New Zealand in 2017 on the person in charge of the fire service at the Fire site are?
Enter in the land building or structure
Break into any building or structure they may be on fire or otherwise in danger at all that is near the emergency
Take will send any equipment or machine required to be used into through or upon any land building or structure
Remove from in the land building or structure that is on fire or otherwise in danger or that is near the emergency any flammable combustible explosive for dangerous material found in that building or structure
Cause any building or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered or there is adjacent to or in the vicinity of any building or structure that is on fire or otherwise in danger to be pulled down or shored up
Cause any building or structure to be pulled down or shored up at the time of the emergency or within reasonable time afterwards
