Module 12: Arson Flashcards
What is a fire?
Fire is the result of the process of combustion.
How is fire started?
A chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen, triggered by heat. For fire to start or continue, each of the three elements - fuel, oxygen and heat - must be present in the correct proportions.
When fuel is heated to its ignition temperature what happens?
It releases gases which then react with oxygen molecules in the air - this reaction results in the release of heat and light energy, and various other by-products, which are visible as flames.
What is an alternate charge to consider in some Arson 267(1)(b) charges?
Permitting Premises to be used (s 12(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act). This charge would have sufficiently covered the alleged criminality. Upon conviction, the Crown could legitimately have pointed to the destruction of the house as an aggravating feature at sentence.
Legally you are allowed to set fire to or damage your own property. However, there are exceptions to this general rule. What are these exceptions?
− intend to cause loss to someone else as a result of the fire
− know or ought to know that the fire will endanger life
− know that the fire is likely to destroy or damage someone else’s property as a consequence.
There are nine stages in your systematic examination of the scene of a fire. What are these stages?
− prepare by organising appropriate staff and equipment clear areas and set clear areas of responsibility
− preparing the examination and arrange for the site to be examined systematically
− examine the exterior of the fire site
− conduct a preliminary internal examination of the site
− conduct a detailed internal examination to identify the area of origin, point of origin and seat of the fire.
− identify the cause of the fire.
− interview witnesses at the scene
− photograph, label and preserve exhibits.
− conduct area enquiries.
(Police Manual Page 18)
In determining the seat of the fire, list some of the matters the specialist fire investigator should consider?
− witnesses’ reports − when they first noticed the fire and where they were at the time − the state of the fire at that time − wind direction and speed, weather − the direction of spread − the colour of the flames and smoke − severity of the damage − depth of charring − the presence of starting devices − reports and opinions from other specialists. (Police Manual Page 20)
List five examples where carelessness may cause a fire?
− misusing electricity − children playing with matches, cigarette lighters and so on − burning off paint − vagrants lighting fires − welding and other industrial processes − leaving clothes near heating − wrapping up live ashes in paper − ironing − setting off fireworks − using or storing flammable materials − burning rubbish − using domestic or camp fires − leaving a stove or heater on − leaving fat unattended while cooking − smoking (Police Manual Page 31).
List five examples of material used to start a fire?
− readily available combustible material - rubbish − Molotov cocktails − candles − chemical igniters − timing devices − electric matches − electrical apparatus − matches and cigarettes − trailers
Detail the Police responsibilities at a fire scene examination and investigation?
− conduct the criminal investigation or coronial enquiry
− undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence
− the collection and removal of material from a fire crime scene will only be done by Police or other agencies with the authority to remove evidence
− the preservation, analysis and subsequent disposition of any such material is the responsibility of Police or other agency.
(Police Manual Page 8)
Describe the powers conferred by s28 of the Fire Service Act 1975 on the person in charge of the Fire Service at the fire site?
− enter private property when it is on fire or endangered, or when entry is essential to performing a necessary duty
− close roads
− remove vehicles impeding the Fire Service. If necessary they can break into vehicles for that purpose
− remove people who are in danger or interfering with operations, using reasonable force if necessary
− do anything else that is reasonable necessary for the protection of life and property.
− (Police Manual Page 9)
Damage to property may include what?
Scorching and charring of property.
Under Section 268 - Attempted Arson: What needs to be proved?
An intention to commit the full offence.
In respect of any immovable property or any vehicle, ship or aircraft.
What does the MOU between Fire and Police outline in regards to the roles and responsibilities?
Investigations of fire scenes by the Fire Service and Police are efficiently coordinated, and expertly and independently conducted; and
Any relevant evidence is protected and collected for potential criminal prosecutions or coronial enquiries.
When must the fire service contact Police?
The fire results in serious injury or death; or The fire is considered suspicious.
The Fire Service employs specialist fire investigators who will be called to attend and investigate:
· fires where fatalities occur
· fires where serious (life threatening) fire related injury has occurred
· structure fires where the cause is suspicious or can not be determined
· significant fire spread across a property boundary
· fires in buildings where built-in fire safety features have failed, or not performed to known or expected standards
· structure fires of 3rd alarm equivalent or greater, that may have a significant regional or national consequence.
Where Police commands a fire scene, any access to that scene by Fire Service personnel is?
At the discretion of the Police.
Fire scene control, notification and handover has a 6 step process, what is it?
1: The Fire Service has authority over a fire scene while a fire is in progress. Once a fire is extinguished and any threat to life or property no longer exists, the Fire Service must hand the scene of the fire over to the appropriate person or agency. In certain circumstances, this will be Police.
2: The Fire Service will notify the Police if it considers that a fire may have been deliberately lit, or if it considers the cause of a fire is suspicious. The Fire Service will also notify the Police of all incidents where fatalities or serious (life threatening) injuries occur.
3: Where Police attend a fire scene and seek authority over that fire scene, the designated Police Investigating Officer will confer with the Incident Controller to confirm the handover process.
4: The Fire Service will not normally handover a fire scene until the danger of fire, structural collapse, exposure to dangerous products of combustion or other fire related hazards have been identified and eliminated, isolated or minimised.
5: For any fire scene involving multiple agencies, all agencies will consult with each other prior to any investigation or scene examination to develop an investigation plan. See also: ‘Multi-agency response to incidents’.
6: The investigation plan will include an outline of how the investigation will proceed and the role of each agency.
Any multi-agency fire scene examination will be conducted using a co-ordinated approach. The Fire Service will provide a Specialist Fire Investigation Officer and the Police will supply a Fire Investigation Coordinator, what will the two roles liaise about?
· handover of the fire scene
· access to the fire scene
· process for examination and investigation
· identification and collection of evidence at the Fire Scene
Police responsibility at a fire scene?
· conduct the criminal investigation or coronial enquiry
· undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence
What proof of authority is required under Section 28?
The fact that a person is exercising any power under section 28(4) is conclusive evidence of their authority to do so - section 28(6) refers.
What are some hazards at a fire scene?
Inhalation of toxic substances
Ingestion of particles etc
Injection from sharp objects
Air borne dusts, particles etc
Tripping on fire debris
Falling down, over, onto or into any of the above
items from above falling onto you or hitting objects and causing a chain reaction.
What protective clothing should you use at a scene?
· a suitable helmet (that complies with the relevant safety standard)
· a pair of overalls
· nose and mouth filter, a full face respirator or full BA (if required and qualified)
· gloves
· safety glasses
· shovels, rakes, sieves, pegs, twine
· heavy duty footwear with steel soles and toe caps.
What are the four main building materials and their weaknesses?
Timber - Burning, charring
Steel - Expand, lose it strength
Concrete - Spalling, expose reinforced steel
Masonry - Deterioration or mortar.
The best rule to employ in relation to a fire scene is?
If it looks dangerous it probably is so - do not enter!
Police guarding the scene must?
· avoid interfering with the scene
· exclude and control on-lookers, property owners and other interested parties
· preserve evidence
· prevent looting
· prevent further fire or damage
· be vigilant and watch for suspects
· locate witnesses among onlookers and passers-by
· report all matters of significance to the O/C investigation and/or scene coordinator.
Where it is difficult to preserve the scene the investigator must record the scene, prior to demolition, by?
· sketches
· photographs
· plans
· video recordings.
Conferences must be held during the scene examination to assist you with?
· assessing information obtained · reconstructing · establishing possible motives · identifying suspects · planning further enquiries
People attending conferences could include?
· O/C CIBCIB · scene co-ordinator · fire investigations co-ordinator · O/C Investigation · investigating officers · fire Safety officer · Police photography · fingerprints technician / SOCOSOCO · other specialists
The Fire Safety Officer should be present at all scenes Police are required to attend. You may also need the assistance of one or more of these?
· fire investigations co-ordinator · rural fire investigator · photographer · fingerprint technician · explosives inspector · electrical inspector · building inspector · insurance assessor · accountant · forensic mapper's / original floor plans · pathologist · vehicle inspector · civil aviation inspector · mines inspector · forestry expert · agricultural expert · marine surveyor · heating engineer · meteorologist
