Investigation Flashcards
Under section 44 of the fire and emergency act 2017 the confer what powers to the person from the fire service in charge of the fire?
- access to water/ change water supply pipes.
- close roads
- removed vehicles impeding the fire service.
- remove person who are interfering, may use force.
- do anything reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property.
When will the fire service inform the police of a fire?
- if the fire resulted in serious injury or death.
- if the fire is considered suspicious.
Fire investigation liaison officers (FILOs) in each policing district have what responsibilities?
- attend fires of serious injury or death.
- co-ordinate the fire investigation.
- maintain effective working relationships with fire service specialist personnel investigators.
- assisting districts with fire investigation related questions
- co-ordinating fire investigation training where needed.
- provide other advice and expertise when needed.
Specialist fire investigators (FENZ) will be called to attend and investigate fires in what circumstances?
- fires with fatalities
- fires where serious injury has occurred.
- suspicious or undetermined cause structure fires.
- significant fire spread across property boundaries.
- fires in building where built-in fire safety features have failed.
- structure fire of 3rd alarm equivalent.
- any fire upon request from Police or other agency.
Fire scene control and hand over includes what stages?
1 - fire service has control until the fire is extinguished.
2 - fire service will notify police if it may be a deliberately lit fire.
3 - police attended and confirm hand over with FENZ incident controller.
4 - hand over will only be done dangers and hazards have been eliminated or minimised.
5 - for fire that involves multiple agencies all agencies will consult with each other.
6 - the investigation plan will include an outline of the investigation process and role of each agency.
The FENZ specialist fire investigator will liaise with police on what matters?
HAPI
- handover of the scene
- access to the fire scene
- process for examination and investigation
- identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene
Hazards at a fire scene include?
- inhaling toxic substances
- ingestion of particals
- cuts/wounds from sharp objects
- air borne particles
- tripping on fire debris
- falls over or into obstructions/ cavities
- items falling from above you.
Clothing protection that must be worn include?
- safety Helmet
-overalls - nose and mouth filter/respirator
- gloves
- safety glasses
- heavy duty foot ware, steel toe caps/soles
Five scene risks, what to look for in timber structure beams?
- thickness of beams (after Charing)
- carrying load
- any sounds emanating from structure members
Most common methods of starting fires include?
- setting ignition to combustible material such as rubbish.
- candles
- electrical apparatus
- chemical igniters
- electric matches
- matches and lighters
- cigarettes
- Molotov cocktails
- timing devices
- trailers
Evidence that a Molotov cocktail was used to ignite a fire?
- traces of wick, often in the broken neck or a bottle.
- broken glass found at the seat of the fire
- evidence of accelerant.
- chemical type burns identified by chemical analysis.
- evidence of rubber bands, egg white substance, gelatine or similar stuck to flooring or walls.
Non-intentional fire can be cause by what faults?
- chimneys and flues
- heating systems
- appliances
- television left on standby mode
- dust extractors
- ventilation systems
- electric wiring
- machinery overheating
- gas pipes and fittings
- broken power lines
Non intentional fires can be cause by what in nature?
-chemical reactions
- suns rays
- lightening
-static electricity
- rodents eating through wiring
Initial action at a fire scene not involving explosions has what 8 steps?
- interview the informant briefly
- secure and control the scene
- initial interview of the fire investigator and first crew on scene.
- interview the incident controller
- ensure that the scene is safe, hold conference with the specialist fire investigator and conduct examination of the scene
- if found to be suspicious re-group and hold a briefing conference.
- determine a plan of action, reply staff to guard the scene, canvas for witnesses/CCTV
- contact COMS and give sit-rep, request specialists as required such as photography, forensics, police fire investigation liaison officer.
Upon arrival at the scene interview the FENZ incident controller and gain what information?
- time and date of the call and manner in which it was received.
- what crews attended
- the state of the fire when FENZ arrived
- what action FENZ has taken, particularly in entering the scene/ventilation
- any information about building security
- what alterations FENZ has made to the scene in the process of extinguishing the fire
- whether the fire is suspicious and why
- their opinions on the informant (suspicious ect)
Guarding and controlling the scene, considerations to be made are?
-ensuring the scene is not interfered with.
- exclusion and control of onlookers or interested parties.
- preserving evidence
- prevention of looting
- Must be aware or re-ignition of hotspots
- watch for suspects revisiting the scene
- identify any witnesses among onlookers
- report all matters to OC investigation
Where it is difficult to preserve the scene the investigator must record it using what?
- sketches
- photographs
- videos
- plans
What other personnel may be required to attend the scene?
- FILOS
- ESR
- photographer
- finger print tech
- electrical inspector
- building inspector
- pathologist
- vehicle inspector
- marine surveyor
- forensic mapper
-insurance assessor
The point of origin/ seat of the fire is the exact location at which?
- a component failed
- a fire was lit
- an accidental fire originated
Scene examination should be done from the outside moving in towards the point of origin/seat of the fire and external examinations should involve?
- adjoining premises for signs of break in.
- nearby streets, driveways, alleyways
- yard and outbuildings
- peripheral of the structure
- what distance debris was scattered
- make note of items if interest/exhibits to be seized.
- jimmy marks or signs of forced entry
- broken windows before the fire
- v shaped burn patterns pointing to the seat of the fire
