Fire Investigation Proceedures

Question 1

Initial Action

Answer 1

1) Briefly interview informant (maybe offender)
2) secure and control the scene

3) initial interview - specialist Fire investigator
- oc first fire appliance to attend

4) interview incident controller
5) if fire is extinguished ensure safety of the scene before initial conference is held with SFI. Prelim exam of scene
6) deemed suspicious regroup and hold a briefing conference
7) plan of action with other staff. Scene guard, identify and interview witnesses, conduct local enquires
8) Comms sitrep. Ask for specialists to attend if necessary (photos, fingerprints, FILO)

Question 2

What to ask incident controller

O SAID TASA

Answer 2

Opinions of the informant

State of the fire on arrival
Appliances attending
Information fire service has about the buildings security
Details of any 1C persons/vehicles in the area

Time/date of call and manner it was received
Actions taken by FS particularly in entering and ventilating
Suspicious (if they think so and why)
Alterations made to the scene by FS

Question 3

Witnesses that should be interviewed at the scene

Answer 3

1) person who found the fire/informant
2) fire fighters
3) occupants and visitors
4) employees including causal and cleaners
5) owners
6) neighbours
7) spectators
8) passers by
9) local police
10) patrols
11) other police and security staff
12) vendors and delivery people
13) reporters and photographers

Question 4

Personnel who maybe required

Answer 4

Specialist Fire investigator should be present at all fire scenes police are required to attend

1) FILO
2) ESR
3) rural Fire investigator
4) Photorgrapher
5) fingerprints
6) explosives inspector
7) electrical inspector
8) building inspector
9) insurance assessor
10) accountant
11) pathologist
12) forensic mapper
13) civil aviation inspector
14) forestry expert

Question 5

General Enquiries in respect of fires not involving explosives

Answer 5

1) submit articles to ESR ASAP
2) issue an offence report
3) obtain written reports, photographs and plans from: • SFI • a CAD report • Fire Investigation report (cause of fire and point of origin)
4) to get further info or ID suspect consider: • media release • bully board message to neighbouring police • informing staff at lineup • using special notices if there is a pattern to the fires
5) plan enquiries and make sure these people are interviewed: • owner/occupier • person who last secured building • person who found the fire • person who gave the alarm
6) consider area canvas. Statements about conduct of people at the fire, people loitering, vehicles seen
7) think about possible motives, the victims reputation/financial position
8) contact insurance company and obtain, the services of an assessor, particulars of the insurance, copies of insurance policies, prior claims, details of any recent increase of cover or over-insurance
9) any previous similar fires. Increase patrols in the area
10) inform intel and FILO and find out about suspects, similar previous fires, other fires involving the informant/owner/occupier
11) met service enquiries around the weather at the time
12) maintain contact with owner of property and victim of different

Question 6

Suspect Enquiries not involving explosives

Answer 6

1) identify suspects
2) investigate suspects throughly. Obtain full particulars, history, details of access to cars, associates, photograph
3) consider surveillance
4) enquiries to establish suspects opportunity, motive, mens rea, connection to scene/crime, character, movements, behaviour
5) consider search warrant
6) interview suspect
7) consider photo board
8) enquiries to corroborate/negate suspects explanation
9) consult supervisor obtain authority to prosecute
10) arrest suspect and obtain: fingerprints, photograph, Medical exam for injuries, offender report details, consider reconstruction with suspect
11) complet Corry. prosecution file and offender report.