Arson (PT 2) **Police instructions** Flashcards
Fires can be caused naturally by combination of fuel, heat source and air. Factors include?
- Chemical reactions
- Sun rays
- Lightning
- Static electricity
- Rodents eating through wiring, or building nests our of flammable material
- Spontaneous combustion and ignition of, for example, damp grain, hay or wool, cloth soaked in oil etc.
What are some examples of witnesses who should be interviewed in relation to a fire?
- person who found the fire, raised the alarm and informed police of fire
- fire fighters
- occupants and visitors
- employees
- owners
- neighbours
- spectators
- passers-by
- local police
- patrols
- security staff
- vendors and delivery people
- reporters and photographers.
What should you do if an arson is reported by an occupier or insurance assessor?
Ask a specialist fire investigator to attend the scene and determine the fires cause.
Initial action when dealing with fires not involving explosives, what procedures shall you follow on your arrival?
- Briefly interview informant (could be offender)
- Secure & control scene
- Initial interview, specialist fire investigator & O/C first appliance to attend scene
- Interview incident controller (time/date called and how received, appliances that attended, state of fire on attendance, what actions taken, information regarding building security, do they think it was 1C, opinions on informant, details of people/veh 1C).
- If fire extinguished, ensure safety of the scene before initial conference with SFI, Police and conduct prelim exam of scene.
- If deemed 1C re group and hold briefing conference.
- Confer with staff, determine plan and deploy them to: guard and control scene, ID and interview witnesses, conduct local enquiries.
- Contact emergency coms centre supply SITREP, ask for assistance if required (fire investigation liaison, police photographer, fingerprint tech).
In relation to scene security, what are some considerations for Police?
- Ensuring the scene is not interfered with
- Exclusion and control of on-lookers, property owners and other interested parties.
- Preserving evidence
- Preventing looting
What should attending Police be aware of when attending an arson scene?
- be aware of re-ignition from hotspots after the fire is extinguished
- be vigilant and watch for possible suspects
- ID any witnesses among onlookers/passers by
- report all matters of significance to the O/C inv or scene co ordinator.
What points should be considered in relation to scene preservation?
Scope: - How much of the area needs to be preserved (single room, entire building, large area containing multiple buildings, outside areas).
Cordon: - Identify the centre of the scene, tape off the outside, what is considered to be the most obvious item furtherest away from the scene, in larger scenes natural boundaries can be sed to dictate zones.
Common approach path: all traffic should be limited to corridors, the paths that keep disturbance to a minimum.
Where it is difficult to preserve a scene (example, having to demolish an area due to safety) what action must be taken by the investigator?
Must record the scene prior to demolition by:
- sketches
- photographs
- plans
- video recordings
What are some examples of personnel that may be able to assist with the arson investigation?
‑ ESR scientist
‑ rural fire investigator
‑ photographer
‑ fingerprint technician
‑ explosives inspector
‑ electrical inspector
‑ building inspector
‑ insurance assessor
‑ accountant
‑ forensic mapper/original floor plans
‑ pathologist
‑ vehicle inspector
‑ civil aviation inspector
‑ mines inspector
‑ forestry expert
‑ agricultural expert
‑ marine surveyor
‑ heating engineer
‑ meteorologist.
‑ fire investigation liaison officer
What roles should an O/C investigation appoint?
- Exhibits officer
- crime scene co ordinator
- fire liaison officer
- scene examiner
What is the point of origin?
The point of origin is the exact location at which:
- A component failed
- A fire was maliciously lit
- An accidental fire originated
During the scene examination, what should you be noting ?
Items of interest affecting your scene and identifying points of discussion for planning conferences.
What does the external examination take into account?
- adjoining premises which often reveal; accelerant containers, attempts at forced entry, broken windows, forced doors.
- nearby alleyways/streets/driveways
- 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.
What can the surrounding area of the involved premises reveal?
- Accelerant containers
- contents of outbuildings missing
- property run-down
- business appears to be struggling
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.
