Investigation Flashcards
1
Q
Common Methods of Setting Fires (9)
A
Candles
Potassium permanganate, sugar and glycerine
Potassium chlorate, sugar and sulphuric acid (fire fudge)
Electrical Apparatus (heater, iron, toaster)
Electric Matches
Matches and cigarette
Molotov cocktail
Timing devices
Trailers
2
Q
Non-intentional Causes
Carelessness (15)
Faults (10)
Nature (5)
A
Carelessness
- misusing electricity
- children with matches
- burning off paint
- vagrants
- welding
- clothes near heater
- live ashes in paper
- ironing
- fireworks
- using/storing flammable materials
- burning rubbish
- domestic or camp fires
- stoves or heaters left on
- leaving fat unattended while cooking
- smoking
Faults
- chimneys and flues
- heating systems
- appliances
- TVs on standby
- dust extractors
- fans and ventilation systems
- electrical wiring - shorting and arcing
- machinery - friction can cause overheating
- gas pipes and fittings
- broken power lines
Nature
- chemical reactions
- the sun’s rays
- static electricity
- rodents eating wiring, nesting in flammable material
- spontaneous combustion and ignition
3
Q
Procedure on Arrival
8 Steps
A
- Briefly interview the informant
- Secure and control the scene
- Initial interview of Specialist Fire Investigator and/or O/C of first appliance
- Interview the incident controller and find out:
- time and date of call
- what appliances attended
- state of fire on arrival
- info about building security
- alterations to scene (e.g. force entry)
- think it’s suspicious? Why/why not?
- opinions of the informant
- details of suspicious people, vehicles
- If fire is extinguished, ensure safety of scene before initial conference is held and conduct prelim scene exam
- If deemed suspicious, re-group and hold a briefing conference
- Confer with other staff and determine a plan of action. Brief and deploy them to:
- guard and control the scene
- identify and interview witnesses at scene
- conduct local enquiries
- Contact Comms, supply sitrep. Arrange for specialists, photographer, fingerprints
4
Q
Scene Witnesses (13)
A
- person who found fire/informant
- fire fighters
- occupants and their visitors
- employees, including cleaners and casuals
- owners
- neighbours
- spectators
- passers-by
- local Police
- patrols
- other Police and security staff
- vendors and delivery people
- reporters and photographers
5
Q
Personnel (21)
A
- specialist fire investigator
- FILO
- ESR
- rural fire investigator
- photographer
- fingerprint tech
- explosives inspector
- electrical inspector
- building inspector
- insurance assessor
- accountant
- forensic mapper/original floor plans
- pathologist
- vehicle inspector
- civil aviation inspector
- mines inspector
- forestry expert
- agricultural expert
- marine surveyor
- heating engineers
- meteorologist
6
Q
What does the external exam take into account? (7)
A
- Adjoining premises, which can also reveal:
- accelerant containers
- attempts at forced entry
- broken windows
- forced doors - Nearby alleyways, streets, driveways
- Yards and outbuildings of fire-affected property
- Periphery of the structure itself
- What distance debris was scattered, particularly if drums or cylinders have exploded
- Surrounding area of the involved premises may also reveal:
- accelerant containers
- contents of outbuildings missing
- property run-down
- business appears to be struggling - The damaged structure itself may also reveal:
- jemmy marks or other signs of forced entry
- window glass broken before fire was lit
- burn patterns above doors, windows. V-shaped burn patterns on external cladding
7
Q
Pre-lim Internal Exam
SMALLPUB
(8)
A
- Signs of Hardship
- Missing photos, furniture, personal items
- Areas in need of repair
- Low stock
- Lack of clothing
- Presence of accelerant containers
- Unusual odours
- Burn patterns
8
Q
Detailed Internal Exam (11)
Specialist Fire Investigator will note…
A
- smoke deposits and burn patterns
- spalling
- damage to wall studs
- damage to roofing timbers
- damage to window sills, door edges
- soot deposits on window glass, craze patterns
- floor areas burned through
- skirting board damage
- elimination of false low burns
- removal of fire debris
- under floor inspection
9
Q
In determining the seat of fire, Specialist Fire Investigator will consider…(8)
“What will Danni do cause she paid Rob?”
A
- Witness reports:
- when they first noticed fire
- where they were at the time
- state of the fire at the time - Wind direction and speed, weather
- Direction of spread
- Depth of charring (where it was smouldering the longest)
- Colour of flames and smoke
- Severity of damage
- Presence of starting devices
- Reports and opinions of experts
10
Q
Cause of the fire
Evidence of accelerants (7)
Evidence of intentional interference (11)
A
Accelerants
- containers
- traces in debris
- smell
- unusually rapid spread or intensity
- uneven burning
- burning under/behind boards where liquid has run through cracks
- multiple seats of fire
Intentional Interference
- tampering with alarm, sprinklers
- hindering access
- misdirecting fire fighters
- intentional removal of valuables
- furniture rearranged to create a fire base
- windows and skylights opened
- foreign material and objects
- signs that a crime has been committed
- heater, soldering iron, etc left on
- inconsistencies
- unusual burn patterns or time factors
11
Q
Conducting area enquiries (5)
A
- Send staff to interview people who work at other warehouses to see if there have been other arson attempts
- Pre-lim interview with owner. Find out:
- when premises was last secured
- whether he knows cause of fire
- suspects?
- insurance?
- type of business
- actions leading up to fire - Note owner’s demeanour during pre-lim
- Complete interviews and obtain formal statements from informant, witness, owner
- Give supervisor a sitrep
