Police Instructions Flashcards
Common methods of setting fires
- candles
- chemical igniters
- electric apparatus
- electrical matches
- matches and cigarette
- Molotov cocktails
- timing devices
- trailers/wicks
Non intentional causes of fires
- carelessness. E.g. clothes near heating, welding, smoking, burning rubbish, ironing
- faults. E.g. heating systems, chimneys, electrical appliances
- nature. E.g. chemical reactions, sun rays, lightening, rodents eating through wiring
Crime scene examination;
External examination
- adjoining premises
- nearby alleyways, streets and driveways
- yards and outbuildings of fire effected properties
- periphery of the structure itself
- ## what distance debris were scattered
Crime scene examination;
Preliminary internal examination
- low stock levels in commercial premises
- building areas in need of repair
- signs of hardship
- missing photographs or personal items
- lack of clothing in wardrobes and draws
- rifled premises
- position of clothes if not in wardrobe
- open filing cabinets or missing files
- forced entry into an empty till
Preliminary interview with owner of property (what to cover off)
- when the premises was last secured and by whom
- whether he or she knows the cause of the fire
- details of any suspects
- any insurance
- type of business
- actions leading up to the fire
Note the owners demeanour during speaking to them
Duties of fire investigation liaison officer
- attending every fire that results in serious injury or death;
- co-ordinating fire investigations in their designated area or district;
- arranging Police attendance at fire scenes where required;
- maintaining effective working relationships with the relevant Fire Service Investigation Liaison Officer (FSILO) and Fire Service Specialist Fire Investigators;
- assisting areas or districts with fire investigation-related queries;
- ensure communication is maintained with the Police National Fire Investigation Co‐ordinator, Police District Intelligence Manager and District Manager Criminal Investigations, where appropriate;
- co-ordinating fire investigation training for any Police employees within the are
Duties of a specialist fire investigator
- fires where fatalities occur;
- fires where serious (life threatening) fire-related injury has occurred;
- structure fires where the cause is suspicious or cannot 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 (at least six appliance) or greater, that may have a significant regional or national consequence; and
- any other fire, upon request from Police or another agency.
Injuries from hazards at fire scenes
- Inhalation of toxic substances e.g. car fires emit particularly toxic and harmful gases Ingestion of particles etc
- Cuts/wounds from sharp objects
- Air borne dusts, particles etc
- Tripping on fire debris
- Falling down, over, onto or into any obstructions or cavities
- Items from above falling onto you or hitting objects and causing a chain r
Possible witness to interview
the person(s) who found the fire, raised the alarm and informed Police or Fire fire fighters
occupants and their visitors
employees, including cleaners and casual staff
owners
neighbours
spectators
passers-by
local Police
patrols
other Police and security staff vendors and delivery people 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 other interested parties
- preserving evidence
- preventing looting.
Attending Police should also:
be aware of re-ignition from hotspots after the fire is extinguished
be vigilant and watch for possible suspects
identify any witnesses among onlookers and passers-by
report all matters of significance to the O/C investigation and/or scene co-ordinator.
What personal may you need assistance from at the scene of an arson?
- A Specialist Fire investigator
- fire investigation liaison officer - ESR scientist
- rural fire investigator
- photographer
- fingerprint technician
- explosives inspector
- electrical inspector
- building inspector
- insurance assessor
- accountant
-forensic mapper/original floor plans - pathologist
-vehicle inspector
-civil aviation inspector
mines inspector forestry expert agricultural expert marine surveyor heating engineer meteorologist.
Any one of the above may be requ
Packaging a body from an arson
Because of the fragile nature of the human body when burnt, investigators should plan the body removal very carefully.
Consider the use of the disaster victim identification team where applicable. See ‘Disaster victim identification’ chapter. Packaging
Best practice is that bubble wrap is used to secure the body parts and they are then packaged in a clearly marked and protected boxing of some form.
During the search the scene examiner should be keep a look out for medically inserted pins, teeth or any protected finger skin to assist in identification.
Duties of fire investigation liaison officer
- attending every fire that results in serious injury or death;
- co-ordinating fire investigations in their designated area or district;
- arranging Police attendance at fire scenes where required;
- maintaining effective working relationships with the relevant Fire Service Investigation Liaison Officer (FSILO) and Fire Service Specialist Fire Investigators;
- assisting areas or districts with fire investigation-related queries;
- ensure communication is maintained with the Police National Fire Investigation Co‐ordinator, Police District Intelligence Manager and District Manager Criminal Investigations, where appropriate;
- co-ordinating fire investigation training for any Police employees within the are
Duties of a specialist fire investigator
- fires where fatalities occur;
- fires where serious (life threatening) fire-related injury has occurred;
- structure fires where the cause is suspicious or cannot 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 (at least six appliance) or greater, that may have a significant regional or national consequence; and
- any other fire, upon request from Police or another agency.
Injuries from hazards at fire scenes
- Inhalation of toxic substances e.g. car fires emit particularly toxic and harmful gases Ingestion of particles etc
- Cuts/wounds from sharp objects
- Air borne dusts, particles etc
- Tripping on fire debris
- Falling down, over, onto or into any obstructions or cavities
- Items from above falling onto you or hitting objects and causing a chain r
