Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Arson Module > Fire Investigations > Flashcards

Fire Investigations Flashcards

1
Q

Under the fire & police MOU, when would fire notify Police?

A
  1. A fire results in serious injury or death
  2. A fire is considered suspicious
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

According to the fire and police MOU, both agencies want to ensure that…

A
  1. Investigations of fire scenes by the fire service and police are efficiently coordinated, and expertly and independently conducted
  2. Any relevant evidence is protected and collected for potential criminal prosecutions or coronial enquires
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the responsibilities of Fire Investigation Liaison Officers (FILOs)?

A
  1. Attending every fire that results in serious injury or death
  2. Coordinating fire investigations in their designated area or district
  3. Arranging police attendance at fire scenes when required
  4. Maintaining effective working relationships with fire
  5. Assisting areas or districts with fire related stuff
  6. Ensure communication with national fire inv coordinator/intel/crime manager etc
  7. Coordinate fire investigation training
  8. Providing advice and expertise
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What powers does the person in charge of fire service (at a fire) have?

(Section 28 of the Fire Service Act75)

A
  • enter private property (when it’s on fire/endangered or entry is essential to perform duties)
  • close roads
  • remove vehicles impending fire service (including to break into vehicles)
  • remove people who are in danger or interfering with operations (reasonable force if necessary)
  • do anything else that is reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Can police use the fire service powers at a fire?

A

Yes, if called upon to do so by a member of the fire service.

CAUTION: police have no right to exercise these powers just because they’re present at a fire

But the fact that someone is exercising one of these powers is conclusive evidence of their authority to do so.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Name the 7 situations that Specialist Fire Investigators (from Fire) would attend/investigate

A
  1. Fatalities
  2. Serious life threatening injuries
  3. Structure fire (suspicious or undetermined)
  4. Significant fire spread across property boundaries
  5. Building fires where safety features have failed
  6. Structure fires (requiring at least 6 fire engines) that may have significant consequence
  7. Any other fire upon police request
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How many specialist fire investigators would turn up to a fire fatality or life threatening injury?

A

A minimum of 2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

When do fire hand over a scene to police?

A

When the fire is extinguished and there is no longer any threat to life or property.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the 2 responsibilities of Police at a fire scene?

A
  1. Conduct criminal investigation / coronial enquiry
  2. Undertake responsibilities for the protection, collection and recording of evidence
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Fire scene safety…
Most injuries at fire scenes are received from what hazards?

A

Inhaling toxic substances
Ingesting particles
Cuts from sharp objects
Airborne dusts
Tripping on debris
Falling
Items falling from above

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Fire safety…
Tips for stairs?

A

Check underneath them first
Walk on the wall side

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What kind of protection clothing would you wear at a fire?

A

Helmet
Overalls
Nose and mouth filter/respirator
Gloves
Safety glassss
Heavy duty footwear

(Police and fire are each responsibilities for their own safety equipment)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Fire scene risks…
Tips re timber?

A

Take not of thickness of timber structure or any sounds emanating from it.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Fire scene risks…
Tips for steel?

A

Unprotected steel will expand in fire, causing walls etc to be pushed out
Can lose strength and collapse inwardly

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Fire scene risks…
Tips for concrete?

A

Very unpredictable
Can be affected by low fire temps
Look for concrete spalling(trapped moisture), exposed steel or discolouration such as blue/green, cracking.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Conferences held during fire scene examinations assist with what?

A
  • assessing info obtained
  • reconstructing
  • est possible motives
  • identifying suspects
  • planning further enquires
17
Q

A conference forms the basis of your scene examination and risk assessment planning. Who would chair this?

A

Either the fire investigation liaison officer (FILO) or the crime scene coordinator/most senior Police

18
Q

Body removal considerations?

A
  • consider recording on video
  • where possible, forensic pathologist to attend scene prior to removal
  • best practice is to wrap in bubble wrap, then protective boxing
  • contact funeral director early on to possibly bring coffin to scene
  • consider removing body parts with the furniture they were on
19
Q

Initial action for fire scenes

A
  1. Interview informant
  2. Secure/control scene
  3. Initial FSI/OC fire interview
  4. Interview Fire incident controlled
  5. Ensure safety and then do prelim exam of scene
  6. If suspicious, regroup, hold briefing conference
  7. Make a plan (scene guard, witnesses, area canvas)
  8. Sitrep to Comms
20
Q

What are some considerations when securing/preserving fire scenes?

A
  • prevent interference
  • exclusion of onlookers/property owners etc
  • preserving evidence
  • preventing looting
  • be aware of re-ignition
  • be vigilant of suspects
  • identify witnesses
  • keep OC informed
21
Q

What could you do to record a scene prior to demolition for particularly difficult scenes?

A

Sketches
Photographs
Plans
Video recordings

22
Q

Suspect enquires for fires?

What are the steps???

A

Identify suspects (circumstances, fingerprints, info from witnesses, media response, intel, enquires at schools, info from fire…)

Investigate thoroughly

Consider surveillance

Establish opportunity, motive, connection with scene, background

Consider SW. (Clothing, residence, vehicle, workplace etc for evidence)

Interview

Consider photo montage

Negate/corroborate suspects explanation

Advise supervisor, obtain authority to prosecute

23
Q

Investigating electrical fires, what are the first questions to consider?

A

Was the power to the building live?
Was the power to the area of the building where the fire started live?
Electrical continuity to the suspect electrical heat source

In your scene diagram:
Plot the locations of the power supply service entry, meters, switchboards, power outlets, light fittings, appliances etc.

24
Q

Initial action for explosions

A
  1. Wary of secondary devices
  2. Don’t use cellphones/radios etc
  3. Evacuate at least 100m
  4. If IED, use IED operator or DF expert
  5. Comms sitreps
25
Q

Investigation steps for explosions?

A
  1. Once scene is safe, conduct exam (videos, photos)
  2. Continually reconstruct
  3. Request ESR assistance (swabbing scene, hands, clothing of suspects)
26
Q

Why is it a priority to identify the explosive used in an explosion?

A

This evidence will be crucial to a prosecution. An expert may be able to advise the likely type from their exam of the damage.

As a general rule, the more powerful the explosive the less residue it leaves and the more directed the explosion.

27
Q

What kind of explosive explodes in “a general manner, causing damage and debris over roughly the same distance in all directions”?

A

A low powered explosive

1200-5000mps -take the line of least resistance (ie blow out windows and doors)

28
Q

What kind of explosive explodes in a “directional manner, sometimes straight up and down, sometimes in a definable pattern causing great directional damage”

A

A high powered explosive (over 5000mps). A person who is experienced in making IEDs will perform this way

29
Q

What should we always remember re explosive residue evidence?

A

Explosive residue is often slight and dissipate rapidly. May need expert to enter scene prior to full examination.

Create a path to centre of explosion, using plastic or stepping plates, ESR swab the area working outwards from the seat of explosion.

Note: vertical sheets of iron (like street signs and fencing) are good sources of residue!

Note any odours you detect

30
Q

What to look for at explosion scenes?

A

Cratering
Spread of debris
Shredding of materials
Peculiar smell (ie almonds)
Overlay of dust
Shrapnel marks

31
Q

Can you disclose a suspect’s criminal records to Fire personnel (for example at briefing conferences)?

A

Generally no.
These organisations are not ‘law enforcement agencies’ as defined in Criminal Records Act 2004

BUT! If you believe the joint investigation would be significantly enhanced by including criminal records in briefings, you have to find out whether the suspect is an ‘eligible individual’ under the Criminal Records Act 04

32
Q

How do you check if a suspect is an eligible individual under the Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 04?

And then what?

A

Contact the designated rep who has access to this function on NIA

If they are NOT eligible: you may disclose to Fire Service personnel

If they ARE an eligible individual: they are deemed to have “no criminal convictions” and you must not disclose to Fire.

Arson Module (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions