Fire and Explosive Investigations Flashcards
1
Q
External Scene Examination
A
- What distance debris was scattered
- Adjoining premises (often reveal forced entry, etc)
- Nearby alleyways / streets / driveways
- The yards and outbuildings of the effected property
- The periphery of the structure itself
- Any signs of forced entry
- Patterns (burn) above doors and windows
2
Q
Preliminary Internal Examination
A
- Signs of hardship
- Owner / Occupier attitude during walk through
- Burn pattern
- Unusual odour
- Rifled premises
- Missing photographs / personal items
- Position of Clothes if not in drawer
3
Q
Detailed Internal Examination
A
- Damage to wall studs
- Damage to roofing timbers
- Damage to windowsills and door edges (jemmy’s)
- Smoke deposits and burn patterns
- Underfloor inspection
4
Q
Section 28 (4) Fire Service Act 1975
A
POWERS AND DUTIES
- Buildings Blazing, may enter private property when alight or is endangered or when entry is essential to perform a necessary duty.
- Interfering or endangered persons may be removed with force if necessary.
- Vehicles which are impeding the fire service can be moved. If necessary, break into the vehicle for that purpose.
- Anything else that is “reasonably necessary” for the protection of life and property.
- Close roads and highways if required.
5
Q
Initial Action at an Arson scene
A
- Briefly interview the informant
- Secure the scene
- Interview incident controller and OC Fire
- Fire is extinguished, ensure safety of the scene
- Initial interview of the fire investigator
- Preliminary scene examination
- If deemed serious, regroup and give briefing
- Staff, confer with staff and delegate tasks
- Sitrep with Comms
6
Q
Fire Investigation Liaison Officers Role
A
- Attend every fire that results in serious injury or death
- Coordinating fire investigations in their districts
- Arranging Police attendance at fire scenes(when required
- Maintaining working relationships with Fire
- Enquiries, Assist with fire related enquiries
- Local training, regarding fire investigation
7
Q
Scene Interviews, Who?
A
- Informant
- Fire Fighters
- Occupants and visitors
- Neighbours
- Employees
- Passer-by’s
- Incident Controller
8
Q
Explosions, what to look for
A
- Cratering
- Almonds, a peculiar smell
- Spread of debris
- An overlay of dust
- Shrapnel marks
- Shredding of Materials
9
Q
Interview of Incident Controller
A
- Time and Date of 111 call
- Appliances that attended
- State of the fire
- Building Security
- Action the fire service has taken (ventilation etc)
- Suspicious, why?
- People or vehicles acting suspiciously
- Opinion of the informant
- Scene alterations made
10
Q
Common Methods of setting fires
A
- Candles
- Chemical Igniters
- Electrical Apparatus
- Electric Matches
- Matches and Cigarettes
- Molotov Coktails
- Trailers
- Timing Devices
11
Q
Suspect Motives
A
- Profit
- Fraud
- Pyromania
- Jealousy
12
Q
Specialist Fire Investigator and Fire Liaison Officer
Discuss four matters
A
- Handover of the fire scene
- Access to the fire scene
- Process for investigation and examination
- Identification / collection of evidence at the scene
13
Q
Legally you may set fire to your own property unless…
three reasons
A
- Intend to cause loss to someone else as result of fire
- Know / ought to know that the fire will endanger life
- know that the fire is likely to damage someone else’s property as a consequence
14
Q
Matters in determining the seat of the fire…
A
- Witness reports
- Wind direction
- When and where they first noticed the fire
- Depth of charring
- Opinions from other specialists
- Severity of the damage
15
Q
Suspect Enquiries
A
- Forensic (fingerprints)
- Information from witnesses
- Resources such as Intel, Youth Aid
- Enquiries at Prisons, Psych Hospitals
16
Q
Carelessness that may result in fire…
A
- Misusing electricity
- Ironing
- Setting off Fireworks
- Children playing with matches
- Clothes left near heater
17
Q
How to establish if a Fire has been deliberately lit
A
- Evidence of accelerants
- Uneven burning
- Multiple seats of fire
- Smell
- Evidence of intentional interference
- Signs that windows were opened to create a draught
- Intentional removal of valuable property
- Rearranged furniture to create a fire base
18
Q
Natural causes of fire
A
- Chemical Reactions
- Lightning
- Static Electricity
- The suns rays
- Rodents chewing through wire
19
Q
Preliminary interview with the owner, find out..
A
- When the business was last secured
- Type of business
- Actions leading up to the fire
- Details of any suspects and insurance
- Whether he or she knows the cause
