Arson - CIB012 Flashcards
What to ask the fire incident controller at initial action.
9 points.
1- The state of the fire when the fire service arrived.
2- What appliances attended
3- Manner the call was received and date and time
4- Alterations they have made to the scene- forced open doors or windows
5- What info they have about the buildings security
6- If they think the fire is 1C and why
7- Their opinion of the informant
8- Details of the people or vehicles acting 1C in the area
9-what action they have taken, particularly in entering the building
Evidence of wilful causes of fire
- Multiple seats of fire
- Signs that windows or skylights were opened to create a draught
- intentional removal of valuable property
- evidence of intentional interference ie- tampering with alarm or sprinker
- evidence of explosives
- misdirecting fire fighthers
- evidence of accelerants
- smell
- traces in debris
- signs that a heater, soldering iron or other electrical appliances has been left on.
- unusual rapid spread or intensity of fire.
Under S28 of the Fire Service Act 1975 what powers are there and when can Police use these?
- S28(4)(b) enter private property when it is on fire or endangered.
- S28(4)(h) close roads
- S28(4)(I) remove vehicles impeding the fire service. if necessary break into the vehicle
- S28(4)(j) remove people who are a in danger or interfering with the operation using reasonable force if needed.
- S28(4)(n) do anything else that is necessary for the protection of life and property.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Police may excise these powers only if called upon by a member of the fire service. Police have NO right to excise these just because they are present at a fire scene.
Conferences are held to assist with?
- ID suspects
- Reconstructing
- establishing possible motives
- Assessing the info obtained
- Planning further enquires
After the conferences what must be done?
- Appoint an OC exhibits
- Appoint a scene coordinator
- Advise the fire investigator
- appoint a scribe
- appoint a examiner
When guarding and controlling the scene what should you do?
- Be vigilant and watch for suspects
- Locate witnesses among onlookers and passersby
- Report all matters of significance to the O/C Investigation and/or scene coordinator
- Prevent further fire or damage
- Exclude and control onlookers, property owners and other interested parties
- Avoid interfering with the scene
- Prevent looting
- Preserve evidence
What was found in R v Mohan in relation to intent?
Intent involves a decision to bring about, in so far as it lies within the accused’s power, the commission of the offence.”
Define R v Archer
Property may be damaged if it suffers permanent or temporary physical harm, or permanent or temporary impairment to its use or value
What is the difference between a gas explosion and a explosive that is set?
Explosions caused by gas generally cover a wider area than those caused by explosives
Explosives cause cratering
Medical evidence – one or more of the suspects or victims may have inhaled gas prior to the explosion
The surrounding area of the involved premises if searched may reveal?
Accelerant containers
Businesses that appeared to be struggling
Contents of outbuildings missing
Property run-down
During the preliminary exam don’t be a FOOL and take note of indicators such as?
- Forced entry into an empty till
- Open filing cabinets or missing files
- Owner/occupier attitude during walkthrough
- Low Stock
- Signs of hardship
- Separate unrelated seats of fire
- Building areas in need of repair
- Missing family photos, furniture and personal items
Explain R v HARPUR in relation to an attempt?
An attempt includes an act or omission constituting a substantial step in a course of conduct planned in the commission of the crime.
At the end of scene exam the FSO or specialised fire investigator will be able to determine?
Area of origin
Point of origin
The seat of the fire
When identifying the best method of protection what you should consider and what step should you take to prevent issues?
Consider an assessment of
- Inhalation of toxic substances
- Ingestion of particles etc
- Injection from sharp objects
- Airborne dusts, particles etc
- Tripping on fire debris
- Items from above falling onto you
A strategy to prevent an occurrence or to mitigate its impact
Characteristic damage caused by explosives?
- Cratering
- Spread of debris
- Shredding of materials
- A smell peculiar to the exploded material i.e. smell of ‘almonds’
- An overlay of dust
- Shrapnel marks
What is the initial action with fire NOT involving explosives? What is the aim?
REMEMBER: Your aim is to coordinate the investigation and investigators using the NZFS to determine the origin and cause of the fire.
STEP 1 – Briefly interview your informant
STEP 2 – Secure and control the scene
STEP 3 – Initial interview of the Fire Safety Officer/ O/C of the first fire appliance to attend the scene
STEP 4 – Interview the incident controller at the scene
STEP 5 – If fire is extinguished, ensure safety of the scene before an initial conference
STEP 6 – Regroup and hold a briefing conference if deemed suspicious
STEP 7 – Confer with other staff and determine a plan of action
STEP 8 – Contact the comms room and supply a SITREP. Ask for assistance if necessary, and the attendance of specialists i.e. photographer, fingerprint technician
When doing a detailed internal examination with the FSO what you should note?
- Smoke deposits and burn patterns
- Soot deposits on window glass and craze patterns
- Spalling
- Damage to wall studs
- Damage to roofing timbers
- Damage to window sills and door edges
- Floor areas burned through
- Skirting board damage
- Under floor inspection
- Removal of fire debris
- Elimination of false low burns
What to consider when determining the seat of the fire?
- Witness reports
- When they first noticed the fire and where they were at the time
- State of the fire at that time
- Colour of the flames and smoke
- Reports and opinions of other specialists
- Presence of starting devices
- Wind direction, speed and the weather
- Severity of the damage
When should the Fire Service advise Police and the Fire investigation coordinator of the a fire?
If the fire is 1C or has resulted in death or serious injury
What the does the fire investigator do?
They will investigate
- Fire where fatalities or serious injury has occurred
- Structure fire where the cause is 1C or can not be determined
- Significant fire spread across a property boundary
- Building fire where safety features have failed or not preform to expected standard
What is the Police role at a fire?
- Conduct a criminal investigation or coronial enquiry
- Undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence
What the process of exhibits?
1 - Photo, label and preserve them in containers
2 - use approved arson kits. if not available used suitable container such as unused 4L paint tin
3 - Take control samples of
-Charred timber, ashes or debris from the seat of the fire to compare with samples from other points
- Accelerants found near the scene
- Soil from the surrounding area