Practical Flashcards
Initial Action
Fires - Not Involving Explosives
- Interview informant
- Secure and control scene
- Interview SFI, O/C first Fire Appliance to attend
- Interview Incident Controller at the scene & find out:
* Time, date & manner of call
* What appliances attended
* State of fire on arrival
* Action taken entering/ventilating building
* Information about building’s security
* Alterations made to scene
* Whether suspicious & why
* Opinions of informant
* Details of people/vehicles acting suspiciously - Fire extinguished, ensure scene safe & conduct preliminary scene examination
- If suspicious hold Conference
- Confer with staff & determine a plan of action. Brief and deploy them to:
* Guard & control the scene.
* Identify & interview witnesses at the scene.
* Conduct area enquiries. - SITREP to Comms request assistance from specialists
- Fire Investigation Liaison Officer
- Police photographer
- SOCO
Initial Action
Fires - Involving Explosives
- There may be a secondary device. Do not handle/interfere with anything unfamiliar.
- Don’t use cell phones, radios or transmitting devices.
- Evacuate scene at least 100m & consider use of explosives detector dog.
- If IED located obtain assistance from
- Dept.Labour IED Operator
- Defence Force expert
- SITREPS to Comms.
Where it is difficult to preserve the scene
Record the scene by: Sketches Photographs Plans Video Recordings
Specialist Fire Investigators (Fire Service) will be called to attend and investigate fires where what occurs?
Fatalities.
Serious injury.
Structure fires that are suspicious or cause unable to be determined.
Significant fire across property boundary.
Building fires where safety features have failed.
Structure fires significant regional or national.
Any fire upon request from police or others.
Fire Investigation Liaison Officers FILO (Police) have responsibility for….
Attending fires resulting in serious injury/death.
Co-ordinating investigations in their area/district.
Arrange Police attendance at fires where required.
Maintain relationship with FSILO & FSSFI.
Assist district/areas with fire related queries.
Ensure communication with Police National Fire Investigation Coordinator, Police District Intel Manager & District Manager Criminal Investigations.
Coordinating fire investigation training for Police employees.
Providing advice & expertise as required.
Section 32 Fire Service Act 1975
All Police present must cooperate with the person in charge of the Fire Service at a fire, suspected fire or other emergency.
Systematic Examination of Fire Scene - 9 Stages
- Organise staff & equipment clear areas & set areas of responsibility.
- Prepare & arrange for site to be examined systematically.
- Examine exterior of site.
- Preliminary internal examination of site.
- Detailed internal examination to identify the area of origin, point of origin & seat of fire.
- Identify cause of fire.
- Interview witnesses at the scene.
- Photograph, label & preserve exhibits.
- Conduct area enquiries.
Guarding and Controlling The Scene
Scene security considerations:
Preserving evidence.
Ensure the scene is not interferred with.
Exclusion & control of on-lookers, property owners & other interested parties.
Preventing looting.
Guarding and Controlling The Scene
Police attending the scene should also:
Be aware of re-ignition from hotspots.
Be vigilant for possible suspects.
Identify witnesses.
Report matters of significance to O/C Investigation or Scene Co-ordinator
Explosions
Characteristic damage caused by explosives:
Cratering. Spread of debris. Shredding of materials. A smell peculiar to the exploded material. An overlay of dust. Shrapnel marks.
Police responsibilities at a fire scene examination and investigation are:
Conduct the criminal investigation or coronial inquiry.
Protection, collection & recording of forensic evidence.
What to ask the Fire Incident Controller
Initial Action
- Time, date & manner of call
- What appliances attended
- State of fire on arrival
- Action taken entering/ventilating building
- Information about building’s security
- Alterations made to scene
- Whether suspicious & why
- Opinions of informant
- Details of people/vehicles acting suspiciously
Conferences are held during scene examination to assist with:
IREAP
Identifying suspects Reconstructing Establishing possible motives Assessing info obtained Planning further enquiries
People attending a Conference could include:
O/C CIB Crime Scene Co-ordination Fire Investigation Liaison Officer O/C Investigation Investigating officers Specialist Fire Investigator Photographer Fingerprint technician/SOCO Other specialists as required
Preliminary Internal Examination
Should involve a slow walk through the premises from the area of least damage to that of most damage, taking note of indicators such as:
Low stock in commercial premises.
Building areas in need of repair.
Signs of hardship (empty flats, shops to let).
Missing family photos, furniture & personal items.
Lack of clothing in wardrobes & drawers.
Rifled premises
Position of clothes if not in wardrobe or drawers.
Open filing cabinets or missing files.
Forced entry into empty till.
Owner/occupier attitude during walk through.
Separate unrelated seats of fire.
Presence of accelerant containers or trails.
Unusual odours.
Burn patterns.
