Arson Investigations Flashcards
Fire investigation liaison officers (FILO) are responsible for:
- Attending every fire that results in serious injury or death.
- Co-ordinating fire investigations in their designated district.
- Maintaining effective working relationships with the relevant fire service FILO and for service specialist fire and investigators.
- Assisting districts with fire investigation related queries.
Specialist fire investigators
- Fires where fatalities occur.
- Fires where serious fire related injuries have occurred.
- Structure fires where the cause is suspicious or cannot be determined.
- Significant fire spread across a property boundary.
Natural causes of fire:
- Lightening
- The suns rays
- Static electricity
- Chemical reaction
What do the specialist fire investigators and fire liaison officers discuss:
- Handover of the scene.
- Access to the fire scene.
- Process for examination and investigation.
- Identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene.
Carelessness that might result in a fire:
- Fireworks.
- Smoking.
- Burning rubbish.
- Leaving a stove or heater on.
Faults that can cause fires:
- Appliances.
- Electrical wiring.
- Chimneys and flues.
- Gas pipes and fittings.
In determining the seat of the fire, the SFI will consider:
- Wind direction, speed and weather.
- Witness reports.
- The colour of the flames and smoke.
- The direction of spread.
Common methods of setting fires:
- Matches and cigarettes.
- Electrical apparatus.
- Trailers.
- Electric matches.
What to ask the incident controller at the scene?
- Time and date the call was made and the manner it was received.
- The state of the fire when the fire service arrived.
- Whether then think the fire is suspicious and why?
- Details of people or vehicle acts suspiciously in the vicinity.
Evidence of willful causes of fire:
- Evidence of explosive.
- Evidence of accelerants.
- Evidence of intentional interference.
- Intentional removal of valuable property.
Conferences must be held during the scene examination to assist with:
- Assessing information obtained.
- Reconstructing.
- Establish motives.
- Identifying suspects.
People who attend scene examination conferences:
- O/C CIB.
- Crime scene co-ordination.
- Fire investigation liaison officer.
- Investigating officers.
Powers under S28 Fire Service Act 1975
- Close roads.
- Removed people in danger or interfering with operations, use reasonable force if necessary.
- Enter private property when it’s on fire or if entry is necessary to perform one’s duty.
- Do all things necessary to protect life and property.
Power of authorized person in relation to land, building or structure. S42(1) fire and emergency Nz Act 2017
- Enter any land building or structure.
- Break into any building or structure that may be on fire or 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.
How to link a suspect to an arson
- Burnt facial skin.
- Products of combustion on skin.
- Smell of smoke.
- Residue of fuel.
Suspect enquiries -
- Motive.
- Men’s rea.
- Opportunity.
- Connection with the scene and crime.
- Character, mental background, history, movements and behavior.
Protective clothing that should be worn at a scene:
- Helmet.
- Nose and mouth filter.
- Overalls.
- Gloves.
- Footwear with steal soles and caps.
People who should be interviewed:
- Owner/occupier of house.
- Person who last secured the house.
- Person who found the fire.
- Person who gave the alarm.
- Bystanders.
- 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 of available.
- Take control of samples such as charred timber and ashes.
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:
- Area of origin.
- Point of origin.
- Start of fire.
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 and personal items.
- Open filing cabinets or missing furled.
- Building area in need of repair.
- Signs of hardship.
Detained internal examination completed by SFI accompanied by Police:
- Damage to roofing timber.
- Damage to wall studs.
- Damage to window sills.
- Damage to skirting boards.
External examination takes into account:
- Yards and outbuildings of the fire affected property.
- Adjoining premises which of them reveal accelerant, attempts, forced entry, broken windows and fleece doors.
- What distance debris were scattered.
- Nearby alleyways, streets and driveways.
External examination - the surrounding area
- Business appears to be struggling.
- Content of building missing.
- Accelerant containers.
- Property rundown.
External examination - damaged structures
- Jimmy marks or other signs of forced entry.
- Burn patterns above doors or windows.
- Window glass broken before the fire was ignited.
Conduct a preliminary interview with the owner:
- When the premises were last secured.
- Whether he or she knows the cause of fire.
- Details of any suspects and insurance.
- Types 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 interfere with anything unfamiliar.
- Do not use a cell phone, portable radios or transmitters.
- Evacuate scene for at least 100m.
- Consider using explosive dog.
- If IED is located, immediately obtain assistance.
Four intentional fires designed to look like electrical faults:
- Clothing on heaters.
- Toaster with nearby curtains.
- Leaving a pot on a stove element.
- Electric urns, bread makers, water heaters, deep fryers and rice cookers.
Suspects enquiry procedure - step 1, you may identify the suspects by means of:
- Media response.
- Fingerprints.
- Information from informants and witnesses.
- Intelligence officers or FILO
Suspect enquiry procedures - 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.
Suspects enquiry procedure - step 6, consider a search warrant. When executing a search warrant search suspects:
- Clothing
- Residence
- Vehicle
- Workplace
Evidence could include:
1. Accelerant
2. Containers
3. Ignites
4. Traces of debris
Police responsibilities at fire scene examination and investigation include:
- Conduct criminal investigation and coronial enquiry.
- Protect, collect and recoding 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 poets of authorized persons -
S44(1) FENZ Act 2017
- Shut water off from any main or pipe in order to obtain 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.
