Investigation

Question 1

External Examination

Takes into Account:

Answer 1

1) Adjoining premises which often reveal:

a. Accelerant containers
b. Attempts at forced entry
c. Broken windows
d. Forced doors

2) Nearby alleyways, driveways, streets
3) The yards and outbuildings of the fire effected property - could reveal contents missing
4) The periphery of the structure itself - could show property run down/business struggling
5) What distance debris were scattered, particularly if drums or cylinders have

Question 2

External Examination

Damaged Structure itself may reveal:

Answer 2

• Jemmy marks or other signs of forced entry on windows or doors
• Window glass broken before the fire was ignited
• Burn patterns above doors and windows and “V” shaped burn patterns on external cladding

Question 3

Preliminary Internal Examination Points

Answer 3

A slow walk through the premises from the area of least damage to that of most damage, taking note of:

• Owner/occupier attitude during walk through
• Belongings
• Missing family photographs, furniture, personal items
• Lack of clothing in wardrobes and drawers
• Position of clothes if not in wardrobe or drawer
• Open filing cabinets or missing files
• Forced entry into an empty till
• Rifled premises
• Low stock levels in commercial premises

Building itself

Building areas in need of repair
Signs of hardship (empty flats/shops)
Presence of accelerant containers or trails
Separate unrelated seats of fire
Unusual odours
Burn patterns

Question 4

Detailed Internal Examination - Fire Investigator

Answer 4

General
* Smoke deposits and burn patterns
* Removal of fire debris

Walls
* Spalling (The cracking or chipping of concrete as a result of being heated nad cooled
* Damage to wall studs
* Skirting boards damage
* Elimination of false low burns

Windows
* Damage to windows sills and door edges
* Soot deposits on window glass and craze patterns

Roof
* Damage to roofing timbers

Floor
* Floor areas burned through
* Under floor inspection

Question 5

At conclusion of this examination fire investigator will be able to determine:

Answer 5

• Area of origin
• Point of origin
• The seat of the fire

Question 6

In Wilful Cases, look for:

Answer 6

Accelerants
* Evidence of accelerants - uneven burning, multiple seats
* Smell of petrol or chemicals

Furniture
* Furniture rearranged to create a fire base
* Hindering access
* Intentional removal of valuable property

Building
* Skylights, windows open to create a draught
* Evidence of tampering with smoke/sprinkler systems
* Heater, soldering iron or other electrical appliances left on

Fire
* Uneven burning
* Unusual rapid spread or intensity of the fire
* Multiple seats of fire

Question 7

Exhibits procedure
What to take samples of:

Answer 7

Use Arson kits or suitable containers

Take control samples:
* Charred timber and ashes from the seat of the fire for examination and comparison
* Any accelerants found near the scene
* Soil from the surrounding area

Question 8

In determining the seat of the fire the fire investigator will consider:

Answer 8

Witness reports
When did they first see the fire and where were they
The reports and opinions of other specialists

The presence of starting devices

The state of the fire at the time
The colour of the flames and smoke
The direction of the spread
The wind, speed, direction and weather
The severity of the damage
The depth of charring

Question 9

Possible motives of arson

Answer 9

• Profit
• Fraud
• Jealousy
• Crime Concealment
• Excitment
• Vandalism
• Pyromania

Question 10

Insurance Company Inquires

Answer 10

1) The services of an assessor, to value the building and the damage
2) Particulars of the insurance on the premises and their contents
3) Copies of insurance Policies
4) Information on prior claims
5) Details of any, recent increase in cover or over insurance
a. These may indicate the motive

Question 11

Conferences must be held during the scene examination to assist with:

Answer 11

1) Assessing information obtained
2) Reconstructing
3) Establishing possible motives
4) Identifying suspects
5) Planning further enquiries

Question 12

Purpose of a Conference

Answer 12

The conference forms the basis of your scene examination and risk assessment planning

Question 13

Who attends Conference

Answer 13

• O/C CIB
• Crime Scene Co-ordinator
• Fire investigation Liaison officer
• O/C Investigation
• Investigating officers
• Specialist fire investigator
• Police Photographer
• Fingerprint technician, SOCO
• Other specialists as required

Question 14

Following conference you should appoint:

Answer 14

• Exhibits officer
• A crime scene co-ordinator
• Scene examiner
• Advise the Fire Investigation Liaison Officer