Preserving a fire scene Flashcards
What are the steps to take for guarding and controlling the scene?
Ensure scene is not interfered with
Exclude and control onlookers/owners/interested parties
Preserve evidence
Prevent looting
Also:
Be aware of reignition
Watch for suspects
Identify witnesses in onlookers/passers-by
Matters of significance to OC investigation or scene coordinator
To assist in scene preservation what points should be considered?
Scope how much of the area needs to be preserved
identify the center of the scene and cordon the scene to encompass the most obvious evidence that is furthest from the scene.
Establish a common approach path to the scene, searching them before they receive any traffic to prevent contamination
If a scene must be demolished for safety reasons what should be done before hand?
Record the scene by sketches, photographs, plans or video recording to assist in recalling the scene
Who needs to be present at any fire scene attended by police?
a specialist fire investigator
Who else may police require assistance from at a fire scene?
fire investigation liaison officer (FILO) 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 meterologist
When should the scene be examined?
as soon as circumstances allow
How should the scene be examined?
systematically, from the outside in.
Establish a clear area for material removed during the search and avoid any cross contamination.
Set clear areas of responsibility and work from the undamaged area progressively through to the point of origin.
What does the external examination take into account?
It PAYS to check ALLEYWAYS and the surrounding area for SCARs and a FEW PATTERNS
- The PERIPHERY of the structure itself
- ADJOINING premises which is likely to reveal accelernt containers, broken windows, forced doors or attempts to of forced entry
- YARDS and outbuildings of the fire effected property
- Distance that debris have been SCATTERED
The surrounding area may reveal
- Business appears to be STRUGGLING
- CONTENTS of outbuildings missing
- ACCELERANT containers
- Property RUN-DOWN
The structure itself may reveal:
- Jemmy marks or other signed of FORCED ENTRY
- WINDOW glass broken before fire was ignited
- Burn PATTERS above doors and windows and a V shape burn pattern on external cladding
What should you take note of when doing a preliminary internal examination?
RAMPORT SPLASH Frog
- Building areas in need of REPAIR
- ATTITUDE of owner/occupier during walkthrough
- MISSING family photos/furniture/personal items
- Burn PATTERNS
- Unusual ODOURS
- RIFLED premises
- Forced entry into an empty TILL
- Low STOCK levels in commercial premises
- POSITION of clothes in not in wardrobe
- LACK of clothing in wardrobe/draws
- Presence of ACCELERANT containers or trails
- SEPARATE unrelated seats of fire
- Signs of HARDSHIP
- Open filing cabinet or missing FILES
What should be done after after the preliminary internal examination?
hold a conference with all involved parties and plan your next course of action. The plan and considerations made in formulating it should be documented in a decision log and confirm all parties agree.
A risk assessment for the site should be done and a site safety plan made.
What will the specialist fire investigator observe, note and take into account in the detailed scene examination?
SSS PUFFERS RC
SMOKE deposits SOOT deposits Damage to wall STUDS Damage to window SILLS Damage to SKIRTING boards
Burn PATTERNS UNDER floor inspection Elimination of FALSE low burns FLOOR areas burned through Damage to door EDGES REMOVAL of fire debris
Damage to ROOFING timbers
CRAZE patterns on window glass
At the conclusion of the detailed internal examination what will the fire investigator be able to determine?
Area of origin
point of origin
the seat of the fire
What will be considered in determining the seat of the fire?
SSSDDDWWN Child (Sit DoWN C)
The STATE of the fire at the time The direction of SPREAD The reports and opinions of other SPECIALISTS The severity of the DAMAGE The DEPTH of charring The presence of starting DEVICES WITNESS reports WIND direction and speed and the weather When they first NOTICED the fire and where they were at the time. The COLOUR of the flames and smoke
When looking for evidence for the cause of the fire consider…
CHUDDARS II
- signs a CRIME had been committed
- signs that a HEATER/electrical appliance has been left on
- UNSUSAL burn patterns/time factors
- signs windows/skylights left open to create a DRAUGHT
- foreign materials that may be part of a DEVICES
- evidence of ACCELERANTS
- signs of furniture being REARRANGED to create a fire base
- intentional removal/SUBSTITUTION of valuable property
- evidence of intentional INTERFERENCE
- INCONSISTENCIES
How to handle exhibits from an arson scene
1.
photo in situ
label the exhibit
preserve in containers
2.
use approved arson kits if available, if not use any suitable container
