ARSON CONTENT Flashcards
What are the natural causes of fire?
1) Lightning
2) Sun rays
3) Static Energy
4) Chemical reaction
What does the specialist Fire Investigator Liaison Officer Discuss?
1) Hand Over the Scene
2) Access to the fire scene
3) Process of examination and investigation
4) Identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene
In determining the seat of the fire. What does the SFI consider? (SFI = Specialist Fire Investigator)
1) Wind direction and speed and weather
2) Witness reports
3) The colour of the flames and the smoke
4) The direction of the spread
What are some examples of carelessness that may result in a fire?
1) Kids playing with matches or candles or lighters.
2) Ironing
3) Setting off fireworks
4) Smoking
What are some common examples of setting of fires?
1) Matches and cigarettes
2) Electric matches
3) Trailers
4) Electrical apparatus
What is the role of a Fire Investigation Liaison Officer (FILO)
1) Attend every fire that results in serious injury and death.
2) Arrange police attendance at the fire scene when required. (Consider should be attended)
3) Assist area and district with fire investigation related inquires.
4) Coordinate fire investigation training for police employees in the area and district.
(Tripple AAA to the C)
What to ask the 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 the fire staff arrived.
- Whether they thought that the fire was suspicious and if so why?
Evidence of wilful causes of fire?
- Evidence of explosives (debris pattern)
- Evidence of accelerants
- Evidence of intentional interference
- Intentional removal of valuable property
What conferences assist with and who attends?
- identifying suspects
- reconstructing of a scene
- Assessing information obtained
- Pending further enquires
- Establishing possible motives
List the people that attend conferences?
4 PEOPLE
- O/C/ CIB (Sutton)
- O/C investigation
- Police photographer
- Fingerprint technician and SOCO
What are my powers under the s28 Fire Services Act 1975
RRET
- Close ROADS
- REMOVE people in danger or interfering with operations, use reasonable force necessary
- ENTER private property when it is on fire or 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 s42(1) Fire and Emergency Act 2017?
HOUSE ———–EBT RiP fives things
- ENTER any land or building or structure
- BREAK into any building or structure that may be on fire or otherwise endangered.
- TAKE OR SEND and 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 combustible or dangerous material.
- PULL DOWN OR SHORED UP
How do I link an arson suspect to a scene?
- Burnt facial skin
- Products or combustion on skin
- Smell or smoke
- Residue of fuel
List suspect enquires?
x 5 MM O (to the double CC)
1) Motive
2) Means Rea (Guilty mind)
3) Opportunity
4) Connection with the scene and crime
5) Character, mental background, history and movement and behaviour.
Specialist fire investigator attend and investigate what?
1) Fires where a fatality occurs
2) Fire where serious life threatening injuries occur
3) Fire and buildings where fire safety features have failed. (Building act)
4) Structure fires where cause is suspicious or nor determined.
5) Significant fire spread across property and boundaries
List the protective clothing that should be worn at the scene?
Helmet Nose and mouth filters (Masks) Overalls Gloves Footwear with steal caps and soles (Think what a person should wear)
Who are the people that should be interviewed? (Eight people)
Owner/occupier of the address Person last securing the house Person who found the fire Person who gave the alarm By standers - witnesses People loitering Media Local Police x 8
What are some things to look out for when guarding the scene?
Watch for possible suspects interference with the scene Prevent looting Prevent further fire damage Preserve evidence
Steps to follow in relation to an exhibit at the fire scene ?
1) Photo in situ
2) label and then
3) Preserve in containers
4) Use arson kits if available or suitable containers
Control samples - seat of fire, debris, soil or accelerant
The point of origin of the fire is the exact location where?
- The appliance/component failed.
- An accidental fire originated
- A fire was maliciously lit.
3 things
At the end of the scene examination what three things must you be able to determine?
1) The point of origin
2) The area of origin
3) The seat of the fire
Where it is difficult to preserve the scene, the investigator must record the scene prior to demolition by?
- Photos
- Video
- Diagrams sketch
- Plan (May use app on phone)
Preliminary internal examination will include…
- missing family photographs and 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 the roofing timber
- Damage to wall studs
- Damage to the window sills
- Damage to the skirting boards
External Examination takes what into account?
- Yards and outbuildings of the primary affected property
- Adjourning premises that reveal attempted break in and accelerants
- What distance debris was scattered.
- Nearby alleyways and walkways, streets and driveways
External Examination of the Surrounding Area may also reveal?
- Business that appears to be struggling?
- Content of the building missing.
- Accelerant containers
- Rundown property.
External Examination of the Damaged Structure may reveal?
- Jimmy marks and signs of forced entry.
- Burn pattern marks above thee doors and windows.
- Window glass broken prior to the fire being ignited.
Conduct a preliminary interview with the owner. What things should I find out?
- When last secured.
- Whether he or she knows the cause of the fire?
- Details of suspects and insurance?
- Type of business.
- Actions leading up to the fire.
What are thee five characteristics caused by explosives?
1) Read of debris.
2) Shedding of materials.
3) Shrapnel marks
4) Overlay of dust
5) Cratering
Initial Action - Fire involving explosives? Six fingers of freedom.
- Don’t handle anything unfamiliar - maybe a second device.
- Don’t use a mobile phone, portable radio or transmitting device inside the address
- Evacuate at least 100m away ensure people take belongings
- Consider using an explosive detector dog.
- If IED obtain assistance through comms from Military SOPS on their intranet page.
- Give regular feedback to comms
Intentional fires designed to look like electrical faults?
- Clothes on heaters
- Toaster with nearby curtains
- Leaving pit on stove element.
- Electric urns, bread makers, water heaters, deep fryers and rice cookers.
Suspect enquires procedure not explosives? 12 step detox
1) ID SUSPECTS MEANS (Media, 4f , Intel, fire off. school
2) ID SUSPECT LIST includes pyromanic
3) SYSTEMATICALLY ELEMINATE SUSPECTS investigation
4) CONSIDER SURVEILLANCE (live on their phone)
5) SUSPECT ENQUIRES (alibi - negate background story)
6) SERACH WARRANT OR PO
7) SUSPECT INTERVIEW
8) ID PARADE OR MONTAGE
9) Complete enquires to negate the suspects explanation
10) Brief the boss and strength of conviction
11) Arrest badman
12) Prosecution file and file manager.
What are the Police responsibilities at the fire scene?
1) Secure the scene
2) conduct a criminal investigation.
3) Protect, collect and collate forensic evidence
4) Preservation, analysis and subsequent disposition of any such material