Preserving A Fire Scene Flashcards
Guarding and controlling the scene.
Scene security considerations for Police…
- Ensure the scene is not interfered with
- Exclude and control onlookers, property owners and others
- Preserve evidence
- Preventing looting
Guarding and controlling the scene.
Attending Police should also…
- Vigilant and watch for possible suspects
- Identify witnesses amongst onlookers
- Re-ignition from hotspots after being extinguished.
- Report all matters of significance to O/C investigation and/or scene co-ordinator.
Fire scene contamination - to assist in scene preservation, consider these points.
Scope - how much of the area needs to be preserved.
Cordon - Identify the center of the scene, tape off outside, make wide as practical.
Common approach path - ‘corridors’ to keep disturbance to a minimum.
Where difficult to preserve the scene, record before demolition by…
Sketches, photographs, plans, and videos.
Use available resources to ensure staff safety and collect evidence in a safe manner.
Specialist fire investigators are required at all scenes Police are required to attend. Who else might be required?
Photographer, soco, ESR, explosive inspector, FILO, Electrical inspector, building inspector, forensic mapper, pathologist, vehicle inspector, forestry expert.
Preparing the examination of the scene.
Arrange for the scene to be examined as soon as circumstances allow.
Set clear directions early, identify approach paths and your cordon.
Search systematically outside in towards the point of origin.
Point of origin is…
The exact location where,
- the component failed,
- a fire was maliciously lit, or
- an accidental fire originated.
External examinations, what does it take into account?
Adjoining premises
Often reveal accelerant containers, attempts at forced entry, broken windows, forced doors etc. Alleyways, streets, yards, outbuildings, what distance debris scattered.
The surrounding area
Often reveals contents of outbuildings missing, property run-down, business appearing to struggle.
Damaged structure itself
Often reveals Jimmy marks, break -in, broken windows, burn patterns.
Preliminary internal exam, take note of…
- Burn patterns.
- Unusual odors.
- Missing family photos, personal stuff
- Forced entry into an empty till.
- Lack of clothing in cupboards/drawers.
- Open file cabinets/drawers.
- Presence of accelerant containers or trails.
- Low stock levels in commercial premises
- Owner/Occupier attitude
- Building areas needing repair
- Signs of hardship
Detailed internal examination. Observe, note, and record what observations?
- Smoke deposits and burn patterns
- Spalling
- Skirting board Damage.
- Soot deposits on window glass and craze patterns
- Damage to wall studs
- Damage to roofing timbers
- Damage to windowsills and door edges.
- Removal of fire debris
- Underfloor inspection
- Floor area burn through.
Crazing of glass
Created by the rapid heating of glass and also the rapid cooling of it by the application of water spray in a hot environment.
At the conclusion of the scene exam, what three things will the Specialist Fire Investigator be able to determine?
- Area of origin.
- Point of origin.
- The seat of the fire.
In determining the seat of the fire, the SFI will consider?
- Witness reports
- When they first noticed the fire and where they were
- The state of the fire at that time
- Wind direction and speed, along with weather
- The direction of spread
- The colour of the flames and smoke
- Severity of damage
- The depth of charing
- The presence of starting devices
- The reports and opinions of other specialists
The cause of the fire, look for….
Evidence of accelerants
- Containers
- Rapid spread
- Uneven burning
- Smell
- Traces in debris
Evidence of intentional interference
- Misdirecting firefighters
- Inconsistencies
- Tampering with alarm or sprinkler
- Hindering access
- Signs that furniture was rearranged to create a fire base
- Signs that windows were open to cause a draught.
- Signs of a crime being committed, might have been burnt to cover up Evidence.
- Signs that heating appliances might have been left on
- Removal of valuable property
- Foreign objects that might be part of a device
Fire Exhibits - Three steps
- Photograph in situ, label the exhibit, preserve the exhibit.
- Use approved arson kits if available, if not, use unused 4L paint tins.
- Take control Samples
(Charred timber, ashes or debris from the seat of the fire for examination and comparison with samples from other points, any accelerants found near the scene, soil from the surrounding area)
