Suspect Enquiries in Respect of Fires not involving explosives

Question 1

Outline the steps you will take when dealing with suspect enquiries in respect of fires not involving explosives

Answer 1

• ID suspect by way of
  i) Circumstances of fire
  ii) Fingerprint hit
  iii) Information from witnesses/informants
  iv) Media responses
  v) Police resources such as intel/youth services/Fire investigation liaison
  vi) Prison enquiries/psych hospitals/rehab centres/schools
  vii) information from fire staff who attend regular fires
• Possible suspect may include
  i) Owner or occupier
  ii) Employee of premise
  iii) Criminal to cover traces of other crimes
  iv) Aggrieved person suffering from jealousy, hatred, rage
  v) Pyromaniac suffering from mental illness
  vi) In case of schools, pupil or ex pupil
  vii) Member of fire service for excitement or personal recognition
  viii) Business competitor to disadvantage a rival
• Investigate suspects thoroughly
  i) Full particulars
  ii) Criminal history
  iii) Vehicle they drive
  iv) Associates
  v) Photograph
• Consider Surveillance
• Completed enquiries to establish the suspects
  i) Opportunity
  ii) Motive
  iii) Mens rea
  iv) Connection with the scene and crime
  v) Character/mental stability/history/movements and behaviour
• Consider a search warrant and look for the following
  i) Accelerants
  ii) Containers
  iii) Igniters
  iv) Wick fabric
  v) Traces of debris
  vi) Photograph evidence in situ, preserve evidence Ie fingerprints
  vii) Ask for explanation regrading items of interest located.
  viii) Note physical features such as burnt hair or skin or smell of
  ix) Issue Pol 268 for items taken
  x) Deal with exhibits accordingly ie label, record and store correctly
• Interview the suspect
• Consider photo ID montage where applicable
• Complete enquiries to corroborate or negate suspects explanation
• Advise supervisor of findings and consider if ingredients of offence have been met and discuss proceeding with prosecution
• Arrest suspect and obtain
  i) Fingerprints
  ii) Photograph
  iii) Consider medical examination
  iv) Offender report details
  v) If co-operative get offender to reconstruct offence.
• Complete prosecution file, expire wanted alerts for suspect and issue offenders report.