Investigation Flashcards
External Examination
Takes into Account:
- Adjoining premises which often reveal:
a. Accelerant containers
b. Attempts at forced entry
c. Broken windows
d. Forced doors - Nearby alleyways, driveways, streets
- The yards and outbuildings of the fire effected property - could reveal contents missing
- The periphery of the structure itself - could show property run down/business struggling
- What distance debris were scattered, particularly if drums or cylinders have
External Examination
Damaged Structure itself may reveal:
- 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
Preliminary Internal Examination Points
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
Detailed Internal Examination - Fire Investigator
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 arears burned through
Under floor inspection
At conclusion of this examination fire investigator will be able to determine:
- Area of origin
- Point of origin
- The seat of the fire
In Wilful Cases, look for:
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
Exhibits
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
In determining the seat of the fire the fire investigator will consider:
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
Possible motives
Profit
Fraud
Jealousy
Crime Concealment
Excitment
Vandalism
Pyromania
Insurance Company Inquires
- The services of an assessor, to value the building and the damage
- Particulars of the insurance on the premises and their contents
- Copies of insurance Policies
- Information on prior claims
- Details of any, recent increase in cover or over insurance
a. These may indicate the motive
Conferences must be held during the scene examination to assist with:
- Assessing information obtained
- Reconstructing
- Establishing possible motives
- Identifying suspects
- Planning further enquiries
Purpose of a Conference
The conference forms the basis of your scene examination and risk assessment planning
Who attends Conference
- 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
Following conference you should appoint:
- Exhibits officer
- A crime scene co-ordinator
- Scene examiner
- Advise the Fire Investigation Liaison Officer
