Main Qs Flashcards
Role of fire investigation officer
- coordinate fire investigation training for any police employee within area or district
- assist areas and districts with fire investigation related enquires
- attend every fire that results in serious injury or death
- providing other advice and expertise as required
- arrange police attendance at fire scenes where required
What do you ask an incident controller at the scene
- The time and date to the call was made and the manner it was received
- What appliances attended
- What state the fire was and when the fire service arrived
- What actions were taken? Particularly in the entry of the building and ventilating it after the fire
- Whether they thought the fire was suspicious if so why
Evidence of wilful causes of fire
- Evidence of explosives
- Evidence of accelerants
- Multiple seats of fire
- Uneven burning
- Misdirecting fire service
Examples where carelessness may cause fire
Miss using electricity
Burning rubbish
Ironing
Smoking
Setting fireworks
Faults examples
Appliances
Broken powerlines
Gas pipes and fittings
Dust extractions
Fans and ventilation systems
Natural causes
Lightning
Static electricity
Sun-rays
Chemical reactions
Rodents eating wires
What the FILO and SFI discuss
Handover of the scene
Access to the fire scene
Process of examination and investigation
Identify and collect evidence at the fire scene
Powers under the fire service act 1975
- Enter Into private property when it is on fire or if entry is necessary to perform ones duty
- Close roads
- Remove vehicles impeding, allowing entry by breaking into vehicles to affect one’s purpose
- Removing people in danger or interfering with operations, use reasonable force necessary to affect one’s purpose
How to link a suspect to an arson
Burn facial skin
Smell smoke
Residue of fuel
Products of combustion on skin
Possible suspects may include
- Owner/occupier for insurance fraud
- Employee to cover theft, forgery or false pretenses
- A criminal to cover their traces of a crime such as burglary or homicide
- An angry person suffering from jealousy, hatred, desire or revenge
Complete inquiries to establish the suspects
- Motive
- Mens rea
- Opportunity
- Connection to the scene in crime
- Character, mental background, history, movements and behaviour
Specialist fire investigators attend and investigate
- Fires where fatalities occur
- Fires with serious life-threatening injuries occur
- Fire in buildings were built on safety features have failed or not performed to an expected standard
- Structure fires where cause is suspicious or not determined
- Significant fire spread across property boundary
Injuries caused in fire scenes
Inhalation of toxic substances
Ingestion of particles
Injection from sharp objects
Airborne dust particles
Tripping over fire debris
What protective clothing should be worn at a scene
Suitable helmet
Pair of overalls
Nose and mouth filter, full face respirator or full BA
Gloves
Heavy duty footwear with steel soles and caps
People to be interviewed
Owner/occupier of the house
Last person secured the house
Person who found the fire
Person who gave alarm
Determining the seat of the fire
Witness reports
Wind direction and speed, weather
The state of the fire at the time
The direction of the spread
The colour of the flames and smoke
Steps you should follow with an exhibit at a fire scene
1) Photograph in situ, label exhibits and preserve them in containers
2) Use approved arson kits if available, if not use suitable containers
3) Take control Samples such as
- Charred timber and ashes from the seat of the fire
- any Accelerants found near the scene
- Soil from surrounding area
At the conclusion of the examination you will be able to determine
Point of origin
Areas of origin
The seat of the fire
Preliminary internal examination
Low stock levels in commercial premise
Building areas in need of repair
Signs of hardship
Missing family photos, furniture and personal items
Open filing cabinets or missing files
Detail external examination completed by SFI accompanied by Police
Damage to wall studs
Damage to roofing timber
Damage to windowsill
Spalling
Skirting board damage
External examination takes into account
- What distance debris were scattered
- Adjoining premises which often revealed, accelerants, attempts forced entry, broken windows, forced doors
- Nearby alleyway/street/driveways
- The periphery of the structure itself
- The yard and outbuildings of the fire affected property
Characteristics caused by explosions
- Cratering
- Spread debris
- Shredding of materials
- overlay of dust
- Shrapnel marks
Initial action – fire involving explosives
- Give regular SITREPS to police comms
- If IED located, immediately get the assistance of IED operator from Department of labour
- Evacuate the scene for at least 100 m away, people to take belongings. This will limit items to be cleared
- Consider using explosive detector dogs
- Don’t use phones, portable radios or transmitting devices
Stages of systematic examination of scene of fire
- Prepare and organise stuff and equipment, clear areas and set clear areas of responsibility
- Prepare examination and arrange for site to be examined systematically
- Examine the exterior of the fire site
- Conduct detailed internal examination
- Identify cause of fire
Interviewing witnesses at the scene
- Firefighters
- Occupants of visitors
- Employees including cleaners and casual staff
- Owners
- Neighbours
- Spectators
- Passers-by
Ask about suspects and other people who have left the scene. Consider sourcing media footage to identify persons at scene
Evidential material for search warrant and suspects address
The suspects clothing, residence, motor vehicle and in any other place where evidence may be found
Evidence could include
- Accelerants, containers, igniters, work fabric, traces of debris from the scene
- Photograph evidence in situ before it is seized
- Ask for and note the suspects explanation regarding the evidence, be alert for signs that he has been in the fire scene like, burnt facial hair, smell smoke, residues of fuel and other products of combustion on the skin
- Ensure all exhibits seized, label and lifted by OC exhibits
Conferences assist with
Identifying suspects
Reconstructing of the scene
Assessing the information obtained
Planning further inquiries
Establishing possible motives
How can insurance companies help
- Assist with investigation once their qualifications and authority has been confirmed
- They have private investigators that are experienced and assist with resources
Common methods of setting fires
Candles
Chemical reaction
Molotov cocktail
Matches and cigarettes
Electrical matches
When conducting a prelim internal examination we should you start
From the least damaging into the most damaged/seat of the fire
Who must you liaise with at the fire scene
Fire service incident controller
R V Hallam - 272 CA61
On a charge of knowingly having possession of an Explosive substance, it must be proved that the offender knowingly had the substance in his position and knew that it was an explosive substance
Fire investigation liaison officers (FILO) are responsible for
1) Attending every fire that result in serious injury or death
2) Coordinating fire Investigations in their designated area or distract
3) Arranging police attendance at fire scenes as required
4) Maintaining effective working relationships with the relevant fire service investigation liaison officer and fire service specialist investigator
5) Assisting areas or districts with fire investigation related enqueries
6) Insure communication is Maintained with the police national fire investigator coordinator, Police district intelligence manager and district manager criminal investigations, where appropriate
7) Coordinating fire Investigation training for Police employees was in the district area we needed
8) Providing other advice and expertise as required
Specialist fire investigators will be cool to attend and investigate
- Fires where fatality is occur
- Serious fire related life-threatening injuries
- Structure fires where the causes suspicious and cannot be determined
- Significant fire spread across a property Boundry
- Fires and buildings were built in safety features have failed or not performed to known or expected standards
- Structure fires of third alarm equivalent, at least six appliance or greater
- That may have a significant regional or national consequence
- Any other fire, upon request from Police or other agency
The specialist fire investigator will liaise with the designated fire investigation liaison officer or Police in relation to these matters
- Handover of the fire scene
- access to the fire scene
- Process of examination and investigation
- Identification and collection of evidence at the fire scene
Police responsibility
- Conduct the criminal investigation or coronal enquiry
- Undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence
The collection and removal of material from the fire crime scene will only be done by Police or other agencies with the authority to do so
The preservation, analysis and subsequent disposition of any such material is the responsibility of the police or other agencies with the appropriate authority
Injuries through hazards
1) Inhalation of toxic substances
2) Ingestion of particles
3) Cut/wounds from sharp objects
4) Airborne dust, particles
5) Tripping on fire debris
6) Falling down, over, onto or into any obstruction or cavities
7) Items from above falling onto you or hitting other objects and causing a chain reaction
For the best method of protection you must consider
An assessment of each of the above
A strategy to prevent an occurrence automatic gate its impact
Protective clothing
- Suitable helmet
- A pair of overalls
- Nose and mouth filters, with a full respirator or full BA
- Gloves
- Safety glasses
- Heavy duty footwear with steel soles and caps
Common methods of setting fires
Candles
Chemical igniters
Electrical apparatus
Electric matches
Matches and cigarettes
Molotov cocktails
Fire fudge
Evidence of a Molotov cocktail
- Traces of wick, often with the broken neck of the bottle
- Pieces of glass either scattered in or in one place. If the bottle brakes on impact it will fall apart is the heat of the cocktail burns and will be found at the seat of the fire
- pieces of window glass from the cocktails entry
- In the case of chemical ignition, traces of the tape used to attach the chemicals to the side of the bottle or the type of burn characteristics of sulphuric acid
- Evidence of liquid flowing down walls and under doors or furniture
- Evidence of rubber bands egg white residue, gelatine Or similar substance stuck to flooring or walls
Non-intentional causes of fire
- Misusing electricity
- Children playing with matches or lighters
- Burning off paint
- Vagrants lighting fires for warmth, get out of control
- Welding and other industrial processes
- Leaving clothes near heating
- Wrapping up live ashes and paper
- Ironing
- Setting off fireworks
- Using or storing flammable materials
- Burning rubbish
- Using domestic or campfires
- Leaving a stove or heater on
- Leaving fat unattended while cooking
- Smoking
Faults can occur in
- Chimneys or flues (indicated by honeycomb type of solid soot)
- Heating systems
- Appliances
- Television left on standby mode
- Dust extraction
- Fans and ventilation systems
- Electrical wiring – shorting or arcing
- Machinery – fractions can cause overheating
- Gas pipes and fittings
- Broken powerlines
Natural causes of fire
- Chemical reactions
- The sun’s rays
- Lightning
- Static electricity
- Rodents eating through wires or building nests on flammable material
- Spontaneous combustion and ignition of for example damp grain hey wall, cloth soaked in oil turpentine or paint, find dust in joinery factories or flour mills
Interview the incident controller at the scene and find out
- The time and date the call and the manner of which it was received
- What appliances attended
- The state of the fire when the fire service arrived
- What actions the fire service have taken, particularly in entering the building and ventilating it after the fire
- What information of five Service has about the building security
- What alterations have been made to the scene for example they may have forced open doors or windows
- Whether they think the fire is suspicious and why
- their other opinions of the informant
- details of people or vehicle acting suspiciously in the vicinity
Witnesses to be interviewed
- the people who found the fire
- fire fighters
- occupants and their visitors
- employees, including cleaners and casual staff
- owners
- neighbours
- spectators
- passer-bys
- local police
- other people and security staff
- Vendors and delivery staff
- Reporters and Photographers
Scene security considerations for police are
- ensuring the scene is not interfered with
- exclusion and control of on-lookers, property owners and others
- preserving evidence
- prevent looting
- be aware of re-ignition from hotspots after the fire is extinguished
- be vigilant and watch for possible suspects
- identify any witnesses amongst onlookers and passers-by
- report all matters of significance to the O/C scene and investigations
External examination
1) adjoining premises which often reveal
- accelerant containers
- attempts at forced entry
- broken windows
- forced doors
2) nearby alleyways/ driveways/ streets
3) the yards and outbuildings of the fire effected property
4) the periphery of the structure itself
5) what distance debris was scattered, particularly if drums or cylinders have exploded
The surrounding area may also reveal
1) accelerant containers
2) contents of outbuildings missing
3) property run down
4) business appears to be struggling
5) Jemmy marks or other forced entry
6) window glass broken before the fire was ignited
7) burn patterns above doors and windows with V shaped patterns on external cladding
Preliminary internal examination
- low stock levels
- building areas in need of repair
- signs of hardship
- missing family photos, person items
- lack of clothing in the wardrobe or drawers
- rifled premises
- position of clothes not in wardrobe
- open filing cabinets
- forced entry to an empty till
- presence of accelerant containers or trails
- separate unrelated seats of fire
- owner/occupier attitude during walk through
- unusual odours
- burn patterns
Detailed internal exam
- smoke deposits and burn patterns
- spalling
- damage to wall studs
- damage to roofing timber
- damage to window sills/ door edges
- soot deposits on window glass and craze patterns
- floor area burned through
- skirting board damage
- removal of fire debris
- under floor inspection
At the conclusion of the internal examination the specialist fire investigator will be able to determine
- area of origin
- point of origin
- the seat of the fire
In determining the seat of the fire the Specialist fire investigator will consider
- witness reports
- when they first noticed the fire
- the state of the fire at the time
- wind direction and speed
- the direction of the spread
- colour of the flames and smoke
- the severity of the damage
- the depth of charring
- the presence of starting devices
- the reports and opinions of other specialists
Exhibits
1) photo in situ, label and persevere in containers
2) use approved arson kits, if not available use containers such as unused 4lt paint tins
3) take these samples
- charred timber and ashes or debris from the seat of the fire
- any accelerants found near the scene
- soil from the surrounding area
Preliminary interview of the owner
- when the premise was last secured
- whether they know the cause of the fire
- the details of any suspects
- type of business
- actions leading up to the fire
Conferences assist with
- assessing information obtained
- reconstructing
- establishing possible motives
- identifying suspects
- planning further enquires
What to look for to ID bodies
Medically inserted pins
Teeth
Protected finger skin
Obtain from insurance company
- 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
Over insurance
Evidence at SWs
- accelerates
- containers
- ignitors
- wick fabric
- traces of debris from the scene
- photo evidence in situ before seized
- ask for and note the suspect’s explanation of evidence
Electrical causes of fire
He does and clothing
Electric lamp or petrol igniters
Ignition of the main switchboard wiring I use of guest watch fly to the Earth or neutral bars
Full on table standard lamp and junction with compatible materials
Toaster with nearby curtains
Leaving a pot of stew on the stove element
Ceiling exhaust fans
Characteristics of explosions
- Cratering
- Spread of debris
- Shedding of materials
- A smell particular to the explored material for example Armands
- An overlay of dust
- Shrapnel marks
Liquid samples
- Do not forward liquid samples and anything other than the bottles provided
- Insure the tops are fastened tightly
- Clean the outside surface of the bottles and placed the bottles in a polystyrene box
Liquid residues
- Uplift residue with a clean dropper pit and treat them as a liquid sample
- Alternatively absorb them into a tissue and place the tissue and a tin
