Lists

Question 1

Initial action, when speaking to the Fire Incident Controller what questions do you ask him? (TASWIAWTD)

Answer 1

1. (T) - The time & date of the call & the manner in which it was received
2. (A) - What Appliances attended
3. (S) - The state of the fire when the fire service arrived
4. (W) - What action the service has taken, Particularly in entering the building and ventilating it after the fire
5. (I) - What information the fire service has about the building’s security
6. (A) - What alteration they have made to the scene, ie they may have forced a door or window
7. (W) - Whether they think the fire is suspicious, and why
8. (T) - Their opinion of the informant, ie a person who regularly attends or reports fire may have lit them
9. (D) - Details of people or vehicles acting suspiciously in the vicinity

Question 2

List 10 things that would suggest a fire has been started wilfully. (RAWFISHICU)

Answer 2

1. (R) - Evidence of intentional Removal of valuable property, or substitution of property
2. (A) - Evidence of accelerates such as;
   - containers
   - traces in debris
   - smell
   - unusually rapid spread or intensity of fire
   - uneven burning
   - burning under or behind boards where the liquid has run through the cracks
   - multiple seat of fire
3. (W) - Signs that window and sky lights were opened to create a draft
4. (F) - Foreign material and objects, such as screws/batteries, that might be part of a device.
5. (I) - evidence of intentional interference,
   - tampering with the alarm or sprinkler system
   - hendering access
   - misdirecting fire fighters
6. (S) - Signs that furniture was rearranged to create a fire base
7. (H) - Signs that a heater, soldering iron or other electrical appliance has been left on.
8. (I) - inconsistency (ie, that the fire is rapid burning but there is no obvious cause)
9. (C) - Sign a crime had been committed. the property may have been burned to destroy the evidence. even when a building has been burnt to the ground, the state of the recovered locks and fasteners may show whether it was secure at the time of the fire.
10. (U) - unusual burn patterns or unusual time factors (ie, that the fire started after the building was secured)

Note: a good investigator will continually reconstruct throughout their examination.

Question 3

What is Section 28, Fire Service Act? (RECRD)

Answer 3

1. (R) - Remove vehicle impending the fire service. If necessary they can break into the vehicle for that purpose.
2. (E) - Enter private property when it is on fire or endangered, or when entry is essential to preforming a necessary duty.
3. (C) - Close roads
4. (R) - Remove people who are endanger or interfering with operations, using reasonable force if necessary.
5. (D) - Do anything else that is reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property.

Question 4

The surrounding areas of the External Examination may also reveal what? (BCAP)

Answer 4

1. (B) - Business appears to be struggling
2. (C) - Contents of outbuildings missing
3. (A) - Accelerant containers
4. (P) - Property run-down

Question 5

Preliminary Internal Examination?

BOMBSCOLASCURF

Answer 5

1. (B) - Building areas in need of repair
2. (O) - Open filing cabinets or missing files
3. (M) - Missing family photographs, furniture and personal items
4. (B) - Burn patterns
5. (S) - Sign of hardship (empty flats, shops to let, etc)
6. (C) - Lack of clothing in wardrobes and draws
7. (O) - Owner/Occupier attitude during walk through (if access is permitted)
8. (L) - Low stock levels, in commercial premises
9. (A) - Presence of accelerants containers or trails
10. (S) - Separate unrelated seats of fire
11. (C) - Position of clothes if not in wardrobe or draws
12. (U) - Unusual odours
13. (R) - Rifled premises
14. (F) - Forced entry into an empty till

Question 6

At the conclusion of the examination, the fire service will be able to determine? (PAT)

Answer 6

1. (P) - Point of Origin
2. (A) - Area of origin
3. (T) - The Seat of the fire

Question 7

Guarding & controlling scene (PEEP VIRB)

Answer 7

to ensure origin and cause of the fire are established, the scene must be controlled and protected from the time fire/police arrive until the scene examination is completed.

the fire service will ensure the scene secured while the fire extinguished.

1. (P) - Preserving evidence
2. (E) - Ensuring the scene is not interfered with.
3. (E) - Exclusion and control of on-lookers, property owners and other interested parties
4. (P) - Preventing looting
5. (V) - Be vigilant and watch for possible suspects
6. (I) - Identify any witnesses amoung on-lookers and passes-by
7. (R) - Report all matters of significants to the O/C investigation and/or scene coordinator.
8. (B) - Be aware of re ignition from hot spots after the fire is out.

Question 8

Conferences must be held during the scene examination to assist you with? (PAIRE)

Answer 8

1. (P) - Planning further Enquiries
2. (A) - Assessing information obtained
3. (I) - Identifying suspects
4. (R) - Reconstructing
5. (E) - Establishing possible motives

Question 9

The O/C investigation should then (AAAA)

Answer 9

1. (A) - Appoint an Exhibits officer
2. (A) - Appoint a crime scene coordinator
3. (A) - Advise the fire investigation liaison officer
4. (A) - Appoint a scene examiner

Question 10

Initial Action involving explosives (SCEIS)

Answer 10

1. (S) - Remember there could be a secondary device anywhere at the scene, including nearby building or vehicle. Do not handle or interfere with anything unfamiliar.
2. (C) - Do not use cellphones, portable radios or other transmitting devices.
3. (E) - Evacuate the scene to a distance of at least 100m. Ensure people leaving the scene bring their personal possessions with them. This will limit the number of items to be cleared. Consider using explosives detector dog to locate the device.
4. (I) - If the IED is located, immediately obtain the assistance of an IED operator from the Department of Labour. If no DOL operators are available, consider utilizing a defence force expert. Bear in mind that the expertise of Armed Services operators relates primarily to military ordnance.
5. (S) - Give the SITREPS to Police COMMS.

Question 11

Initial Action arson, three people to interview (ISO)

Answer 11

1. (I) - Informant
2. (S) - Specialist fire investigator
3. (O) - O/C of the first fire appliance to attend the scene.

Question 12

Explosive, Scene Guard (SCE)

Answer 12

1. (S) - Remember there could be a secondary device anywhere at the scene, including nearby building or vehicle. Do not handle or interfere with anything unfamiliar.
2. (C) - Do not use cellphones, portable radios or other transmitting devices.
3. (E) - Evacuate the scene to a distance of at least 100m. Ensure people leaving the scene bring their personal possessions with them. This will limit the number of items to be cleared. Consider using explosives detector dog to locate the device.

Question 13

Examining the scene of a fire involving explosives. What to look for at the scene? (ORR)

Answer 13

1. (O) - Once the scene has been declared safe, conduct a scene examination. Use video and photographs, as these are useful as a briefing tool and court record.
2. (R) - Remember to continually reconstruct.
3. (R) - Request the attendance of a suitably experienced ESR analyst. Ask them to bring suitable material for swabbing the scene and for swabbing hands, and examining the clothes, of any suspects.

Question 14

Conference involving police and non-police. List these persons? (FOSSI POOF)

Answer 14

1. (F) - Fire investigation liaison officer
2. (O) - O/C CIB
3. (S) - Scene coordinator
4. (S) - Specialist fire investigating officer
5. (I) - Investigating officers
6. (P) - Photographer
7. (O) - O/C investigation
8. (O) - Other specialist as required
9. (F) - Fingerprints/SOCO

Question 15

Following the preliminary examinations, you will accompany the Fire Safety Officer while they complete a detailed examination of the scene (SEW WRS SURFS)

Answer 15

In this examination they will observe, note and take into account a number of observations including:

1. (S) - Smoke deposits and burn patterns
2. (E) - Elimination of false low burns
3. (W) - Damage to wall studs
4. (W) - Damage to windows sills & door edges
5. (R) - Damage to roofing timbers
6. (S) - Spalling (the cracking or chipping of concrete as a result of being heated & cooled)
7. (S) - Soot deposits on window glass and craze patterns
8. (U) - Under floor inspection
9. (R) - Removal of fire debris, and
10. (F) - Floor areas burned through
11. (S) - Skirting board damage

Question 16

in determining the seat of the fire the specialist fire investigator will consider…… (WWWDDSSTTLC)

Answer 16

1. (W) - Witnesses’ reports
2. (W) - When they first noticed the fire, & where they were at the time
3. (W) - Wind direction and speed, and the weather
4. (D) - The direction of spread
5. (D) - The depth of charring (probing may indicate where the fire has been burning or smouldering the longest)
6. (S)The state of the fire at that time
7. (S) - The severity of the damage (because fire & heat usually rise, the area at the lowest level of burning with the most severe damage is often the place where the fire started.)
8. (T) - The presence of ‘starting devices’
9. (T) - The reports and opinions of other specialists
10. (L)Remember that lateral and downward burning can occur with some materials and in the presence of accelerants or draughts)
11. (C) - The colour of the flames and smoke (this may also point to the cause; ie: black smoke may indicate a petroleum product based fire)

Question 17

What to look for (Explosions) (CAOSSS)

Answer 17

1. (C) - Cratering
2. (A) - A smell peculiar to the exploded material; ie: the smell of almonds is often associated with explosive or exploded material
3. (O) - An overlay of dust
4. (S) - Shrapnel marks
5. (S) - Spread of debris
6. (S) - Shredding of materials

Question 18

Questions to ask owner of property? (WWATT)

Answer 18

1. (W) - When the premises were last secured, and by whom
2. (W) - Whether he/she knows the cause of the fire
3. (A) - Actions leading up to the fire
4. (T) - The details of any suspects, witnesses and any insurance
5. (T) - Type of business

Question 19

Exhibits? (P SACK)

Answer 19

1. (P) - Photograph in situ, label and preserve in containers

Take these control samples:

2. (S) - Soil from the surrounding area
3. (A) - Any accelerants found near the scene
4. (C) - Charred timber & ashes or debris from the seat of the fire for examination & comparison with samples from other points
5. (K) - Use Approved arson kit

Question 20

Enquiries with insurance companies? (PICS OR)

Answer 20

Contact the insurance company promptly and obtain:

1. (P) - Particulars of the insurance on the premises and their contents
2. (I) - Information on prior claims
3. (C) - Copies of insurance policies
4. (S) - The services of an assessor, to value the building and the damage

details of any:

5. (O) - Over-insurance.
6. (R) - Recent increase in the cover

Note: These may indicate the motive.

Question 21

External examination (NYPDAFAAB BCAP WBJ)

Answer 21

1. The external examination takes into account:

(N) - Nearby alleyways / streets / driveways
(Y) - The yards and outbuildings of the fire effected property
(P) - The periphery of the structure itself
(D) - What distance debris were scattered, particularly if drums or cylinders have exploded.
(A) - Adjoining premises which often reveal
- (F) - Forced doors
- (A) - Accelerant containers
- (A) - Attempts at forced entry
- (B) - Broken windows

2. The surrounding area of the involved premises may also reveal:
(B) - Business appears to be struggling
(C) - Contents of outbuildings missing
(A) - Accelerant containers
(P) - Property run-down

3. The damaged structure itself may reveal:
   (W) - Window glass broken before the fire was ignited
   (B) - Burn patterns above doors and windows and “V” shaped burn patterns on external cladding.
   (J) - Jemmy marks or other signs of forced entry on windows or doors

Question 22

Suspect enquiries?

Answer 22

1. You may identify suspects by means of:
   - The circumstance of the fire
   - Fingerprints
   - Information from informants & witnesses
   - Media responses
   - Police resources such as: Intelligence and Youth services Sections or the fire investigations liaison officer
   - 4Q’s at prisons, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centres and schools
   - Information from fire crews on people who regularly attend fires
2. Possible suspects may include:
   - The owner or occupier, for insurance fraud
   - An employee, to cover theft, forgery or false pretences
   - A criminal, to cover the traces of a crime such as burglary or homicide, or to intimidate other victims of a protection racket
   - An aggrieved person suffering from jealousy, hatred, rage, prejudice or a desire for revenge
   - A pyromaniac suffering from mental illness
   - In the case of school buildings, a pupil or ex pupil
   - A member of the Fire Service, for excitement or personal recognition
   - A business competitor, to disadvantage a rival
3. Investigate the suspects thoroughly & according to priority. Obtain their:
   - Full particulars
   - Criminal histories
   - Details of any motor vehicle to which they may have access
   - Details of any associates
   - Photograph
4. Consider surveillance
5. Complete enquiries to establish the suspect’s:
   - Opportunity
   - Motive
   - Mens rea (‘guilty mind”)
   - Connection with the scene and the crime
   - Character, mental background, history, movements and behaviour
6. Consider a search warrant. When executing the warrant:
   - Search the suspect’s clothing, residence, motor vehicle and work-place, and in any other place where evidence may be found. Evidence could include:
   
   • Accelerants
   • Containers
   • Igniters
   • Wick fabric
   • Traces of debris from the scene
     - Photograph evidence in situ before it is seized (take care not to destroy any fingerprints)
     - Ask for and note the suspect’s explanation regarding the evidence. Be alert for signs that the suspect has been at the scene of a fire; ie: burnt facial hair, the smell of smoke, and residues of fuel or the products of combustion on the skin
     - Issue a Police 268 for the property seized
     - Ensure all exhibits seized are labelled, examined and uplifted by the exhibits officer
7. Interview the suspect.
8. Consider an identification parade or montage
9. Complete enquiries to corroborate or negate the suspect’s explanation.
10. Advise your supervisor. Consider whether the ingredients of the offence, and a prima facie case, have been established. Obtain authority to prosecute.
11. Arresting the suspect and obtain:
    - Fingerprints
    - Photographs
    - Consider MEK for injuries
    - Offender report details
    - Consider getting the suspect to do a reconstruction if co-operative
12. Complete the correspondence by preparing the prosecution file and issuing the offender report. Cancel computer references for wanted persons and recovered property & forward noting to the fire investigations liaison.