Investigating Arson Flashcards
What four matters do the Fire service investigator liase with Police investigator?
Handover of the fire scene.
Access to the fire scene
Process of examination and investigstion
Identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene.
In determining the seat of the fire, the fire investigator will consider..?
Witness reports When they first noticed the fire and where they were at the time The state of the fire at the time Wind direction and speed Weather The direction of spread The colour of flames and smoke Severity of damage Depth of charring The presence of starting devices Reports and opinions of other specialists.
List examples of carelessness that might result in a fire
Misusing electricity Children playing with matches, lighters etc Burning off paint Vagrants lighting fires Welding and other industrial processes Leaving clothes near heating Wrapping ashes in paper Ironing Fireworks Using or storing flammable materials Burning rubbish Using domestic or camp fires Leaving a stove or heater on Unattended fat while cooking Smoking
List materials used to start a fire?
Readily available combustible materials - rubbish Molotov cocktails Candles Chemical igniters Timing devices Electric matches Electrical apparatus Matches and cigarettes Trailers
What are Police responsibilities at a fire scene and investigation?
Conduct the criminal investigation or coronal enquiry
Undertake responsibility for the protection, collection, and recording of forensic evidence
The collection and removal of material from a fire crime scene will only be done by Police or other agencies with the authority to remove evidence.
The preservation, analysis and subsequent disposition of any such material is the responsibility of Police or other agency.
Powers of the person in charge of the Fire service at fire site under S42 Fire and Emergency Act 2017
(a) Enter any land, building or structure.
(b) breaks into any building or structure that may be on fire or otherwise endangered or that us near the emergency
(c) take or send any equipment or machine required to be used into, through, or upon any land, building, or structure.
(d) remove from any land, building, or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered or that is near the emergency, any flammable, combustible, explosive, or dangerous material found in the building or structure.
(e) cause any building or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered, or that is adjacent to or in the vicinity of any building or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered, to be pulled down or shored up (either in whole or in part)
(f) cause any building or structure to be pulled down or shored up (either in whole or in part) at the time of the emergency or within a reasonable time afterwards.
What are indicators that a fire has been deliberately lit?
Multiple seats of fire
Signs windows/skylights were opened to create a draught.
Removal of valuable property.
Evidence of intentional interference/tampering with alarm/sprinkler system
Evidence of explosives
Misdirecting fire fighters
Evidence of accelerants: smell, traces
Signs that an electrical appliance has been left on (heater, soldering iron)
Unusual rapid spread or intensity of fire
What is the purpose of a conference?
Identify suspects Reconstructing Establishing possible motives Assessing the information obtained Planning further enquiries
What should he done after a conference?
Appoint exhibits officer Appoint a crime scene coordinator if required Advise the fire investigator Appoint a scribe Appoint a scene examiner
What are the duties of a scene guard at an arson?
Watch for suspects
Locate witnesses among onlookers and passersby
Report all matters of significance to the OC investigstion/scene coordinator
Prevent further fire or damage
Exclude and control onlookers, property owners and other interested parties.
Avoid interfering with scene
Prevent looting
Preserve evidence
What are the differences between a gas explosion and an explosive that has been set?
Gas explosions cover a wider area
Explosives cause cratering
Medical evidence (suspect or victim may have inhaled gas prior to explosion)
What should you look for during an external examination?
Signs business appears to be struggling.
Contents of outbuildings missing
Accelerant containers
Property rundown.
What should you look for during preliminary internal examination?
Forced entry into an empty till Open filing cabinets or missing files Owner/occupier attitude during walk-through Low stock Signs of hardship Separate unrelated seats of fire Building areas in need or repair. Missing family photos, furniture or other personal items
What will the fire investigator be able to determine at the end of the examination?
Area of origin
Point of origin
The seat of the fire
What should be considered regarding best method of protection?
Inhalation of toxic substances Ingestion of particles Injection from sharp objects Airbourne dusts, particles etc Tripping Items falling from above
What are characteristics of damage caused by explosives?
Cratering Spread of debris Shredding of materials A smell peculiar to the exploded material (almonds) An overlay of dust Shrapnel marks
Initial action fire not involving explosives.
Briefly interview informant
Secure/control scene
Initial interview fire safety officer/OC of first fire appliance
Interview incident controller
Ensure safety of the scene before an initial conference
Regroup and hold a briefing conference if fire deemed suspicious
Confer and determine plan of action
Contact comms, sitrep and request specialists (photographer, SOCO)
What should be noted during detailed internal examination with fire investigator?
Smoke deposits and burn patterns Soot deposits on window glass and craze patterns Spalling Damage to wall studs Damage to roofing timbers Damage to window sills and door edges Floor area burned througb Skirting board damage Under floor inspection Removal of fire debris Elemination of false low burns
How is the seat of the fire determined?
Witness reports - when they first noticed fire, where they were at time, the state of the fire at the time.
Wind direction and speed
The colour of the flames and smoke
The Severity of the damage
The depth of charring
The presence of starting devices
The reports and opinions of other specialists.
When must the fire service notify police re a fire?
The fire results in serious injury or death
The fire is considered suspicious
When are specialist fire investigators involved in an investigation?
Fires where fatalities occur
Serious life threatening injuries have occurred
Structure fire where cause is suspicious or cannot be determined
Significant fire spread across a property boundary
Fires in buildings where fire safety equipment has failed or underperformed.
What are Police responsibilities at an arson?
Conduct the criminal investigation or coronal enquiry
Undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence.
What information should you obtain from the insurance company?
Value of building and damage particulars of the insurance on the premises. Information on former clients Contents copies of their proposals Over-insurance Recent increase in cover
Exhibits process?
Photograph, label and preserve exhibits in containers
Use approve arson kits if available, otherwise use suitable containers such as unused paint tins.
Take control samples:
- from charred timber, ashes or debris from seat of fire for examination and comparison with samples from other points.
- any accelerants found near scene
- soil from the surrounding area
Initial action fire involving explosives?
Consider secondary device at or nearby scene.
Do not handle or interfere with anything unfamiliar.
Do not use cell phones, radios or the like
Evacuate scene at least 100 metres.
If IED located, immediately obtain assistance of IED operator
Inform national bomb data Centre at PNHQ
Regular sitreps to national bomb data Centre.
Steps for identifying suspects?
Fingerprints
Information from informants and witnesses
Information from fire crews on people who regularly attend fires
Media response
Police resources (Intel, youth aid)
Enquiries at penal institutions, psychiatric hospitals, rehab centres and schools.
Circumstances of the fire.
Possible suspects to consider?
Owner or occupier for insurance fraud.
Employees to cover theft, forgery or false pretenses
A criminal to cover the traces of an offence or to intimidate witnesses.
An aggrieved person suffering jealousy, hatred, rage etc.
A pyromaniac
A pupil or ex-pupil.
A mamber of fire service
Business competitor
Suspect enquiries?
ID suspects.
Investigate suspects thoroughly and according to priority.
List other possible suspects.
Consider surveillance
Enquiries to establish suspect’s opportunity, motive, intent, connection with scene and offence etc.
Execute a search Warrant in presence of suspect.
Interview suspect
Consider photo montage or ID parade.
Advise supervisor
Consider arrest
Complete 4C and prosecution file
Complete enquiries to corroborste/negate suspect’s explanation.
Questions to ask the owner?
When premises secured and by whom.
Whether he or she knows the cause of the fire
Actions leading up to the fire
Type of business
The details of any suspects and insurance.
Evidence of wilful causes of fire?
Multiple seats of fire
Signs windows or skylights were opened to create a draught.
Evidence of intentional interference (tampering with alarms etc)
Evidence of explosives
Evidence of accelerants
Smell
Traces in debris
Signs that a heater, soldering iron or other electrical appliances have been left on
Unusual rapid spread or intensity of fire.
What are fire officers powers?
Enter private property when it is on fire or endangered, or when entry essential to performing a necessary duty.
Close roads
Remove vehicles impeding the fire service
Remove people who are a danger or interfering with operations
Do anything else necessary for the protection of life or property.
What evidence should you look for when searching a suspect?
Accelerants Containers Igniters Wick fabric Traces of debris from the scene Burnt facial hair The smell of smoke Residues of fuel or the products of combustion on the skin.
What should you look for on the structure during an external exam?
Jemmy marks or signs of forced entry
Window glass broken before fire ignited
Burn patterns above doors and windows and V shaped burn patterns on external cladding.
What other things should an external examination take into account?
Adjoining premises (accelerant containers, attempted forced entry etc) Nearby alleyways, streets and driveways Yards and outbuildings of scene The periphery of the structure itself Distance debris scattered.
What is the point of origin?
The exact location where a component failed, a fire was lit, or an accidental fire originated.
What information should you obtain from fire incident controller during initial action?
Time, date and manner call received. What appliances attended. State of fire on arrival. Actions taken Information fire service has about buildings security. Alterations made to scene Whether fire is suspicious and why. Their opinion of informant. Details of any suspicious persons or vehicles.
Who could attend a conference?
OC CIB Scene coordinator Fire investigation coordinator OC investigation Investigating officers Police photographer SOCO/fingerprint technician Other specialists
OC exhibits responsibility?
Receiving exhibits Ensuring labelled by finder and accompanied by exhibit schedule Numbered Recording in exhibit register. Recording all movements Securing exhibits Delivery for examination Consulting with OC re relevance Preparing for Court Ensuring continuity of evidence. Producing in court.
Purpose of a reconnaissance?
To make or formulate a preliminary reconstruction, an appreciation and a plan of action.
Steps in making a reconnaissance?
Gather information (staff, complainant and witnesses)
Create common approach
Sketch scene
Note and deal with anything that may damage or affect evidence.
Reconsider boundaries
Consider hot, warm cold zones.
Common factors appreciation process.
Manpower Persons to be policed Ground Time Area Climate admin and logistics Communication Courses open Law
4 steps to appreciation process?
Aim
Factors
Courses open
Plan
List witnesses who should be initially interviewed?
Person who raised alarm Fire fighters Occupants and their visitors Employees including cleaners and casual staff. Owners Neighbours Spectators Passers-by Local police Patrols Other police and security staff Vendors and delivery people Reporters and photographers.
