Fires Not Involving Explosives

Question 1

General Enquiries (12)

Answer 1

1. Submit articles to ESR ASAP
2. Issue Offence Report. Flag stolen items in NIA.
3. Obtain written reports, photos and plans:
   - CAD report
   - fire investigation report
4. To stimulate flow of info, ID of suspects, consider:
   - making media releases
   - bulletin board messages to Police
   - informing staff at line-up
   - using special notices if there is a pattern
5. Plan enquiries. Interview:
   - owner/occupier
   - person who last secured building. Find out positions of doors, windows
   - person who found fire. Were premises secured at the time?
   - Person who gave the alarm. Why? Acting under instructions?
6. Area canvass. Obtain statements about:
   - the fire
   - conduct of people at the fire
   - people loitering
   - vehicles in the vicinity before fire
7. Motives, e.g. profit, fraud, jealousy, crime concealment, excitement, vandalism, pyromania. Think about victim’s reputation and financial position
8. Contact the insurance company. Obtain:
   - service of assessor
   - insurance details of premises, contents
   - copies of policies
   - info on prior claims
   - details of any recent increases in cover
   - over-insurance
9. If pyromaniac or fire-bug, consider:
   - special patrols
   - immediate Police presence at fires to observe conduct and demeanour of people present.
   - saturation patrols in the vicinity
   - prevention activity
10. Inform your local intel and FILO about the fire and find out:
    - suspects
    - similar previous fires
    - other fires involving the informant, owner or occupier.
11. Enquire at Meteorological Service. Establish weather conditions.
12. Maintain contact with the owner.

Question 2

Suspect Enquiries (11)

Answer 2

1. May ID suspect via:
   - circumstances
   - fingerprints
   - informants, witnesses
   - media response
   - Police records, e.g. Intel, YA, FILO
   - 4Qs at prison, psych hospitals, rehab, schools
   - info from fire crews
2. Possible suspects may include:
   - owner/occupier (fraud)
   - employee (cover theft, forgery)
   - criminal (conceal crime, intimidate)
   - aggrieved person (jealousy, hate)
   - pyromaniac
   - pupil, ex-pupil
   - fire service (excitement, recognition)
   - business competitor/rival
3. Obtain following:
   - full particulars
   - criminal histories
   - vehicle details
   - associates
   - photograph
4. Consider surveillance
5. Establish suspect’s:
   - opportunity
   - motive
   - mens rea
   - connection with scene and crime
   - character, mental background, history, movements and behaviour
6. Consider search warrant (clothing, residence, vehicle, work-place) Evidence could include:
   - accelerants
   - containers
   - igniters
   - wick fabric
   - debris from scene
7. Interview the suspect
8. ID parade or montage
9. 4Qs to corroborate or negate suspect’s version of events
10. Advise supervisor. Authority to prosecute
11. Arrest suspect. Obtain:
    - fingerprints
    - photographs
    - medical exam for any injuries
    - offender report details
    - consider suspect recreation if cooperative
12. Paperwork/prosecution file.

Question 3

Reporting (7)

Answer 3

1. Introduction:
   - location
   - names of owner/occupier
   - brief summary
2. Property Information:
   - layout
   - age and condition
   - type, construction and materials
   - value
   - security
   - heating, lighting, cooking connections
3. Details of fire, events prior:
   - when property was last seen, condition it was in, how it was secured
   - who noticed fire
   - who alerted Fire Service and why
   - what the Fire Service did
4. Value of the damage
5. Results of investigation:
   - how scene was searched
   - Specialist Fire Investigator’s report
   - opinions from other specialists
   - reasons for conclusion
   - motive
6. Insurance:
   - assessor’s report
   - details of policies for property, contents
   - whether over or under-insured
   - recent increases in cover
   - other claims
7. General enquiries:
   - witnesses
   - outcome of canvass
   - suspects interviewed
   - info from staff, intel, CHIS, local Police
   - conclusions, recommendations

Question 4

Electrical Fire
Investigation Steps (7)
(ISDPAFR)

Answer 4

1. Info gathering
2. Scene exam
3. Debris exam
4. Product exam
5. Analysis and testing
6. Formulating opinion
7. Reporting data and opinions

Question 5

Conference held to assist with…

ARIPE

Answer 5

Assessing information obtained

Reconstructing

Identifying suspects

Planning further enquiries

Establishing possible motives

Question 6

Common electrical ignition sources and techniques (8)

Answer 6

1. Heaters and clothing
2. Electric lamp and petrol igniters
3. Ignition of main switchboard wiring via gas torch to earth or neutral bars
4. “Fallen” lamp in conjunction with combustible materials.
5. Toaster with nearby curtains
6. Leaving pot of stew on stove element
7. Ceiling exhaust fans
8. Electric urns, bread makers, water heaters, deep fryers, rice cookers.