Preserving a fire scene Flashcards

1
Q

What are the steps to take for guarding and controlling the scene?

A

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

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2
Q

To assist in scene preservation what points should be considered?

A

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

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3
Q

If a scene must be demolished for safety reasons what should be done before hand?

A

Record the scene by sketches, photographs, plans or video recording to assist in recalling the scene

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4
Q

Who needs to be present at any fire scene attended by police?

A

a specialist fire investigator

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5
Q

Who else may police require assistance from at a fire scene?

A
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
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6
Q

When should the scene be examined?

A

as soon as circumstances allow

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7
Q

How should the scene be examined?

A

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.

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8
Q

What does the external examination take into account?

A

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
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9
Q

What should you take note of when doing a preliminary internal examination?

A

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
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10
Q

What should be done after after the preliminary internal examination?

A

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.

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11
Q

What will the specialist fire investigator observe, note and take into account in the detailed scene examination?

A

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

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12
Q

At the conclusion of the detailed internal examination what will the fire investigator be able to determine?

A

Area of origin
point of origin
the seat of the fire

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13
Q

What will be considered in determining the seat of the fire?

A

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
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14
Q

When looking for evidence for the cause of the fire consider…

A

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
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15
Q

How to handle exhibits from an arson scene

A

1.
photo in situ
label the exhibit
preserve in containers

2.
use approved arson kits if available, if not use any suitable container

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16
Q

what is the best way to store arson exhibits?

A

twist the nylon arson bag at the neck and turn it over itself

17
Q

What is the process for conducting area inquiries?

A

1.
send staff to make general inquiries

2.
Conduct a prelim interview with the owner and find out
-when premises last secured and by who
-whether they know cause of fire
-details of any suspects and any insurance
-type of business
-actions leading up to the fire

3.
note owners demeanour during interview

4.
complete interview and organise/obtain formal statements from the informant, witnesses and owner

5.
give supervisor a SITREP

18
Q

What control samples do you take?

A
  • charred timber and ashes or debris from the seat of the fire for examination/comparison with samples from other points
  • any accelerates found near the scene
  • soil from the surrounding area