Arson - Lesson Notes Flashcards
Circumstantial evidence to prove intent
The offenders action and words before during and after the event
The surrounding circumstances
The nature of the act itself
Recklessness
Acting recklessly involves consciously and deliberately taking an unjustifiable risk.
Powers and duties: While the fire is being fought
The person in charge of the fire service is in charge while the fire is still being fought of there is still a risk of danger
What powers are there while the fire is being fought
Enter private property when it is on fire or endangered or when entry is essential to perform necessary duties
Close roads
Remove vehicles impeding the fire service - if necessary break into the vehicle
remove people who are in danger or interfering with operations (reasonable force may be used)
Do anything that is reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property
Objectives of FILO
Attending every fire that results in serious injury or death
coordinating fire investigations in their area or district
arranging police attendance at fire scenes where required
maintain working relationship between FILO and Fire service specialist fire investigators
Can Police use the Fire Service Powers
Yes, but have to be called upon to do so by the Fire Service, Police have no right to exercise these powers simply because they are present at a fire.
Fire scene control notification and handover
Fire service has authority over a fire scene while a fire is in progress - once extinguished and any threat to life or property no longer exists the fire must had the scene over to the appropriate person or agency
What duties do Specialist Fire Investigators have
fires where fatalities occur
fires where serious life threatening fire related injury has occurred
significant fire spread across a property boundary
fires where built in fire safety features have failed or not preformed to known or expected standards
any other fire upon the request from police or another agency
FSILO (stands for)
Fire Service Investigation Liaison Officers
Common Methods of setting fires
Candles Chemical igniters Electrical apparatus Electric matches Matches and cigarette Molotov cocktails Timing devices Trailers
Procedure on arrival - Who should be interviewed on initial attendance of the arson scene
Initial interview of the:
• Specialist Fire Investigator, if present
• O/C of the first fire appliance to attend the scene.
Procedure on arrival - When interviewing the incident controller at the scene what should you find out
• the time and date of the call and the manner in which it was received
• what appliances attended
• the state of the fire when the Fire Service arrived
• what action the Service has taken, particularly in entering the building and
ventilating it after the fire
• what information the Fire Service has about the building’s security
• what alterations they have made to the scene, for example, they may have
had to force doors or windows
• whether they think the fire is suspicious, and why
• their opinions of the informant (for example, a person who regularly
attends or reports fires may have lit them)
• details of people or vehicles acting suspiciously in the vicinity.
Procedure on arrival - Confer with other staff and determine a plan of action. Brief and deploy them
to:
guard and control the scene
• identify and interview witnesses at the scene
• conduct local enquiries.
What witnesses should be interviewed
the person(s) who found the fire, raised the alarm and informed Police or Fire • fire fighters • occupants and their visitors • employees, including cleaners and casual staff • owners • neighbours • spectators • passers-by • local Police • patrols • other Police and security staff • vendors and delivery people • reporters and photographers.
What does an external examination take into account
The external examination takes into account:
• Adjoining premises which often reveal:
- accelerant containers
- attempts at forced entry
- broken windows
- forced doors
• Nearby alleyways/streets/driveways
• The yards and outbuildings of the fire effected property
• The periphery of the structure itself
• What distance debris was scattered, particularly if drums or cylinders have exploded.
The surrounding area of the involved premises may also reveal:
• accelerant containers
• contents of outbuildings missing
• business appears to be struggling.
property run-down
What may the damaged structure itself may reveal
• jemmy marks or other signs of forced entry on windows or doors
• window glass broken before the fire was ignited
• burn patterns above doors and windows and “V” shaped burn patterns on external
cladding.
Preliminary internal examination
The preliminary internal examination should involve a slow walk through the premises,
from the area of least damage to that of most damage, taking note of indicators such as:
- low stock levels in commercial premises
- building areas in need of repair
- signs of hardship (empty flats, shops to let, etc.)
- missing family photographs, furniture and personal items
- lack of clothing in wardrobes and drawers
- rifled premises
- position of clothes if not in wardrobe or drawer
- open filing cabinets or missing files
- forced entry into an empty till
- presence of accelerant containers or trails
- separate unrelated seats of fire
- owner/occupier attitude during walk through (if access is permitted)
- unusual odours
- burn patterns.
Detailed internal examination
Following the preliminary examinations, you will accompany the Specialist Fire
Investigator while they complete a detailed examination of the scene.
In this examination they will observe, note and take into account a number of
observations including:
- smoke deposits and burn patterns
- spalling (the cracking or chipping of concrete as a result of being heated and cooled)
- damage to wall studs
- damage to roofing timbers
- damage to windows sills and door edges
- soot deposits on window glass and craze patterns
- floor areas burned through
- skirting board damage
- elimination of false low burns
- removal of fire debris, and
- under floor inspection.
It is at the conclusion of this examination by the Specialist Fire Investigator the Specialist Fire Investigator will be able
to determine:
- area of origin
- point of origin
- the seat of the fire.
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 that time
• wind direction and speed, and the weather
• the direction of spread
• the colour of the flames and smoke
• the severity of the damage
• the depth of charring
• the presence of ‘starting devices’
• the reports and opinions of other specialists.
For evidence of wilful causes, look
for:
• evidence of accelerants, such as:
• evidence of intentional interference, such as:
- tampering with the alarm or sprinkler system
- hindering access
- misdirecting fire fighters
• evidence of intentional removal of valuable property,
• signs that furniture was rearranged to create a fire base
• signs that windows and skylights were opened to create a draught
• foreign material and objects, such as screws/batteries, that might be part of a device
• signs a crime had been committed.
• signs that a heater, soldering iron or other electrical appliance has been left on
• inconsistencies (for example, that the fire is rapid burning but there is no obvious
cause)
• unusual burn patterns or unusual time factors (for example that the fire started after
the building was secured).
When conducting a preliminary interview of the owner. Specifically, find out:
• when the premises were last secured, and by whom
• whether he or she knows the cause of the fire
• the details of any suspects and any insurance
• type of business
• actions leading up to the fire.
Note the owner’s demeanour during the prelim interview
Possible ways of identifying offenders
• the circumstances of the fire
• fingerprints
• information from informants and witnesses
• media response
• Police resources such as Intelligence and Youth Services sections or the
Fire Investigation Liaison Officer
• enquiries at prisons, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centres and
schools
• information from fire crews on people who regularly attend fires.
Investigate suspects thoroughly and according to priority. Obtain their:
- full particulars
- criminal histories
- details of any motor vehicle to which they may have access
- details of any associates
- photograph.
