CIB 012 - Arson Flashcards
Natural causes of fire
By any combination of fuel, heat source, and air. Factors include:
- Chemical reaction
- The sun’s rays
- Lighting
- Static electricity
- Rodents eating through wiring, or building nests out of flammable material
- Spontaneous combustion and ignition of, for example, damp grain, hay or wool; cloth soaked in oil, turpentine or paint; fine dust in joinery factories or mills
Power under the fire service Act 1975 – S28 (5 things)
The person in charge of the fire service is charged with the direction of operations at a fire under sec 28, Fire Service Act 1975. These powers confer the right to:
- Enter private property when it is on fire, or when entry is essential to perform a necessary duty
- Close roads
- Remove vehicles impeding the Fire Service. If necessary, can break into vehicles for that purpose
- Remove people in danger or interfering with operations, use reasonable force necessary
- Do anything else that is reasonably necessary to protect life and property
When can Police Use of Fire Service powers
-Police may exercise these powers if called upon to do so by the person in charge of the fire service.
-Police have no right to exercise these powers just because they are present at the fire
Purpose of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Police and Fire Service
- Ensure investigations of fire scenes are conducted expertly and efficiently
- any relevant evidence is protected and collected for prosecutions or coronial enquiries
The fire service will notify the police if:
A fire results in serious injury of death, or a fire is considered suspicious
Role of Fire Investigation Liaison Officer (FLIO)
- Attend every fire that results in serious injury or death,
- Coordinating fire investigations
- Assist area and district with fire investigation related queries
- Coordinate fire investigation training for police employees in the area and district,
Provide other advice and expertise as required
Specialist Fire investigators will be called to attend and investigate:
- Fires where fatalities occur or serious life-threatening injuries.
- Structure fires where the cause is suspicious or not determined,
- Significant fire spread across property boundaries,
- Fires in buildings where fire safety features have failed,
- Any other fire, upon request from Police or another agency
What is a fire service investigation liaison officer (FSILO)?
A staff member from the fire service. They have responsibility for:
- arrange specialist fire investigator to added attendance at scenes when requested by police.
- establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with police FILO in respective police areas.
What do the SFI (specialist Fire Investigator) and FILO (fire investigation Liaison Officer discuss)?
- Handover of the scene
- Access to the fire scene
- Process for examination and investigation
- Identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene
Police responsibilities at a fire scene examination and investigation
Police must:
- Conduct the criminal investigation or coronial enquiry,
- Undertake responsibility for the protection, collection, and recording of forensic evidence.
- Collect and remove material from the fire crime scene,
- Preservation, analysis, and subsequent disposition of any such material
Common methods of setting fires:
- Candles,
- Chemical igniters
(Potassium permanganate,
sugar and glycerine,
Potassium chlorate,
sugar and sulphuric acid), - Electrical apparatus
(A bar heater turned to face a wall or furniture, An iron left flat on a surface), - Matches and cigarettes,
- Electric matches,
- Molotov cocktails,
- Timing devices
Carelessness that might result in a fire:
- Kids playing with matches or lighters,
- Vagrant’s (homeless) lighting fires for warmth that get out of control,
- Ironing,
- Setting off fireworks,
- Smoking,
- Leaving a stove or heater on,
- Leaving fat unattended while cooking
What is considered Evidence of wilful (intentional) causes of fire?
- Evidence of explosive,
- Evidence of accelerants,
- Evidence of intentional interference,
- Intentional removal of valuable property
In determining the seat of the fire, the SFI (specialist Fire Investigator) will consider:
Wind direction and speed, weather, Witness reports, The colour of the flames and smoke, The direction of spread
What to ask fire incident controller on arrival at the scene? (FENZ officer in Charge)
- Time and date the call was made and the manner it was received,
- What appliance attended,
- What state the fire was in when fire arrived,
- Whether they thought the fire suspicious and if so why?
What do conferences assist with and who attends them From Police?
Tip ID Suspect,Scene etc
Identifying suspects
Reconstructing of a scene
Assessing information obtained
Planning further inquires
Establishing possible motives
O/C CIB
O/C Investigation
Police photographer
Fingerprint technician / SOCO
Power of authorised person in relation to land, building or structure. Section 42 (1) – Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017
- Enter and land building or structure
- Break into any building or structure that may be on fire or otherwise 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
- Cause any building or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered to be pulled down of shored up at the time of the emergency or within a reasonable time afterwards
How to link a suspect to an arson
(TIP- What would you smell/see at the scene on suspect)
Burnt facial skin
Products of combustion on skin
Smell of smoke
Residue of fuel
Suspect enquires - Step 5
complete enquires to establish the suspects
- Motive
- Men’s Rea
- Opportunity
- Connection with the scene and crime
- Character, mental background, history, movements, and behaviour
Protective clothing that should be worn at a scene
Helmet
Nose and mouth filter
Overalls
Gloves
Footwear with steel soles and caps
People who should be interviewed after a fire
Owner/ Occupier of the house
Person who last secured the house
Person who found the fire
Person who gave the alarm
Bystanders
People loitering
Media
Local Police
What todo when 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 if available, if not use suitable containers
- Take control samples such as: charred timber and ashes or debris from the seat of fire, any accelerant find near the scene, soil from surrounding the area
The point of origin is the exact location in which
A component failed
An accidental fire originated
A fire was maliciously lit
(where the fire started)