Q’s Flashcards
Intent
In a criminal law context there are two specific types of intention in an offence,
Firstly there is an intent to commit the act and secondly an intention to get a specific result.
R V Harney
Reckless means the conscious and deliberate taking of an unjustified risk
In New Zealand it involves proof that the consequences complained of could well happen, together with an intention to continue the course of conduct regardless of the risk
Damages by fire
Although fire damage will often involve burning or charring, it is not necessary that the property is actually set alight
Melting, blistering of paint or significant smoke damage will be sufficient
R V Archer
Property may be damaged if it suffers permanent or temporary physical harm or permanent or temporary impairment to its use or value
Explosive S2 Arms Act 1983
Any substance or mixture or combination of substances which in its normal state is capable either of decomposition at such a rapid rate as to result in an explosion or of producing a pyrotechnic affect
Life
Life in this context means human life, and danger must be to the life of someone other than the defendant
Claim of right
A belief at the time of the act and a proprietary or possessory right in the property in relation to which the offence is alleged to have been committed
Although the belief may be based on ignorance or mistake of fact or of any matter of law other than the enactment against which the offence is alleged to have been committed
Interest
Not defined by legislation, however the courts have held that tenancy of property constitutes a interest in it
Obtain
Means obtain or retain for himself or herself or any other person
Benefit
Any benefit, pecuniary advantage, privilege, property, service or valuable consideration
Person
Legislation provides a wide definition for the term of a person that incorporates not only real people but also companies and other organisations
Proving recklessness
What must be proved
- That the defendant consciously and deliberately ran a risk (subjective test)
- That the risk was one that was unreasonable to take in the circumstances as they were known to the defendant (objective test based on whether a reasonable person would have taken the risk)
Fire
Fire is the result of the process of combustion, a chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen, triggered by heat.
For a fire to start each of the three elements must be present, and the correct proportions
Attempted arson - 268
Attempts to commit arson in respect of any immovable property or any vehicle, ship or aircraft.
- To be guilty of an attempt to commit an offence a person must
1) Intend to commit the offence and
2) Take a real and substantial step towards achieving that aim
R V Harpur
The courts may have regard to the conduct viewed cumulatively up to the point where the conduct and question stops
The defendants conduct must be considered in its entirety, considering how much remains to be done as always relevant though not detrimental
Providing explosives to commit an offence - 272 CA61
- Knowingly has in his or her possession
- Or makes any explosive substance or any dangerous engine, Instrument or thing with the intent to use or enable another person to use the substance, dangerous engine, instrument or thing to commit an offence
The role of a fire investigation officer (FILO)
- Coordinate fire investigation training for anyplace employees within area or district
- Assist area and district with fire investigation related inquiries
- Attend every fire that result in serious injury or death
- Providing other advice and expertise as required
- Arrange police attendance at fire signs when required
What to ask an incident controller at the scene
- The time and date the call was made and the manner it was received
- What appliances attended
- What state the fire was in with fire arrived
- What actions were taken particularly in the entry to the building and ventilating it after the fire
- Whether they thought the fire was suspicious and if so why
Evidence of wilful causes the fire
Evidence of explosive
Evidence of accelerant i.e. containers
Multiple sets of fire
Uneven burning
Misdirecting fire service
Common methods of setting fires
Candles
Chemical reaction
Molotov cocktail
Matches and cigarettes
Electrical matches
Examples where carelessness may cause fire
Miss using electricity
Burning rubbish
Ironing
Smoking
Fireworks
Faults examples
Appliances
Broken powerlines
Gas pipes and fittings
Duct extractors
Fans and ventilation systems
Natural causes
Lightning
Static electricity
Sun rays
Chemical reactions
Rodents eating wires
Conferences assist with
Identifying suspects
Reconstructing of the scene
Assessing the information obtained
Planning further inquiries
Establishing possible motives
What does the FILO and SFI discuss
Handover of the scene
Access to the fire scene
Process of examination and investigation
Identify and collect evidence at the scene
Powers under the fire service act 1975
Entry private property when it is on fire or if entry is necessary to perform once duty
Close roads
Remove vehicles impeding, allowing entry to breaking into vehicles to affect one’s purpose
Remove people in danger or interfering with operations, use reasonable force to affects post one’s purpose
Do all things necessary to protect life and property
How to link a suspect to an arson
And facial skin
Smell smoke
Residue of fuel
Products of combustion on skin
Benefit
Means any benefit, pecuniary advantage, privilege, property, service or valuable consideration