1
Q
Powers conferred on the person in charge of the fire service at a fire under Section 28 of the Fire Service Act 1975
A
Enter private property when it is on fire or endangered, or when entry is essential to performing a necessary duty - Sec 28(4)(b)
Close roads - Section 28(4)(h)
Remove vehicles impeding the fire service. If necessary they can break into the vehicles for that purpose - Sec 28(4)(I)
Remove people who are in danger or interfering with operations, using reasonable force if necessary - Sec 28(4)(j)
Do anything else that is reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property - sec 28(4)(n)
2
Q
When can Police exercise powers under Section 28 of the fire service act 1975?
A
If called upon to do so by the member of the fire service in charge of the fire - Sec 32(2)
3
Q
Four main points of MOU between fire and Police?
A
- Investigations of fire scenes by the fire service and police are efficiently coordinated, and expertly and independently conducted; and
- Any relevant evidence is protected and collected for potential criminal prosecutions or coronial enquires
The fire service will notify police if:
- A fire results in serious injury or death; or
- A fire is considered suspicious
4
Q
Six steps of fire scene control, notification and handover?
A
- The fire service has authority over a fire scene while a fire is in progress. Once a fire is extinguished and any threat to life or property no longer exists, the fire service must hand over to the appropriate agency, in certain circumstances this will be police.
- The fire service will notify police if it considers that a fire may have been deliberately lit, or if it considers the cause of a fire is suspicious. The fire service will also notify police of all incidents where fatalities or serious injuries occur
- Where police attend a fire scene and seek authority over that fire scene, the designated police investigating officer will confer with the incident controller to confirm the handover process.
- The fire service will not normally handover a fire scene until the danger of fire, structural collapse, exposure to dangerous products of Covid took or other fire related hazards have been identified and eliminated, isolated or minimised.
- For any fire scene involving multiple agencies, all agencies will consult with each other prior to any investigation or scene examination to develop an investigation plan.
- The investigation plan will include an outline of how the investigation will proceed and the role of each agency
5
Q
What causes most injuries received at fire scenes
A
- inhalation of toxic substances
- ingestion of particles
- cuts/wounds from sharp objects
- air borne dusts, particles etc.
- Tripping on fire debris
- Falling down, falling over, onto or into any obstructions or cavities.
- Items from above falling onto you or hitting objects and causing a chain reaction.
6
Q
What must be worn by the on scene investigator?
A
A suitable helmet
A pair of overalls
Nose and mouth filter, a full respiration or BA
Gloves
Safety glasses
Heavy duty footwear with steel soles and toe caps
7
Q
Common methods of setting fires
A
Candles
Chemical igniters
•potassium permanganate,sugar and glycerine
•potassium chlorate, sugar and sulphuric acid
Electrical apparatus eg. heater,iron,toaster
Electric matches
Matches and cigarettes
Molotov cocktails
Timing devices
Trailers
8
Q
Non-intentional causes of fire
A
Carelessness
Faults
Nature
9
Q
Effects of fire on:
Timber
Steel
Concrete
Masonry
A
Timber - burn and char
Steel - expand and cause external walls to push out. Contracts when cooled
Concrete - can be affected by low temperatures. Can break away at surface (spalling) exposing steel reinforcement.
Masonry - cracking, leaning or bowing or collapse of supporting floors or roof frames. Mortar can deteriorate
10
Q
Evidence of candles being used in fire?
A
Traces of wax or wick at the scene
11
Q
Evidence of potassium permanganate, sugar and glycerine?
A
A greenish coca-cola like residue.
Container traces may remain and a trip mechanism may be found
12
Q
Alternative product to potassium chlorate to make ‘fire fudge’?
A
Yates universal weed killer
13
Q
Evidence of Molotov cocktail use?
A
Traces of wick
Pieces of broken glass
Pieces of window glass (from bottles entry)
Traces of tape used to connect chemicals to side of bottle
Evidence of liquid flowing down walls and under doors and furniture
Evidence of rubber bands, egg white residue, gelatine or similar substances stuck to flooring or walls
14
Q
Natural causes of fire
A
- chemical reactions
- the suns rays
- lightening
- static electricity
- rodents eating through wiring or building nests out of flammable material
- spontaneous combustion of damp grain, hay or wool, cloth soaked in oil, turps or paint
15
Q
Initial action when dealing with fires (8 steps)
A
- Briefly interview informant (may be the offender)
- Secure and control the scene
- Initial Interview of Specialist fire investigator (if present) or O/C of first fire appliance to attend.
- Interview the incident controller at the scene
- Ensure safety of the scene before conference with the Specialist fire investigator and conduct prelim scene exam
- If deemed suspicious regroup and hold a briefing conference.
- Confer with other staff to:
•guard and control the scene
•identify and interview witnesses at the scene
•conduct local enquires - Ask for assistance, attendance if specialists such as fire investigation liaison, photography, fingerprints
16
Q
What to cover during interview of incident controller at fire scene (initial action step 4)
A
- time,date of call and the manner in which it was received
- what appliances attended.
- the state of the fire when fire service arrived.
- what action the service had taken (eg upon entry and ventilating building post fire)
- what information the fire service has about the buildings security
- what alterations have been made to the scene.
- whether they think the fire is suspicious and why.
- their opinions of the informant
- details of 1C people or vehicles in the vicinity.
17
Q
Guarding and controlling scene considerations for Police
A
- ensuring scene is not interfered with.
- exclusion and control of on-lookers, property owners and other interested parties.
- preserving evidence.
- prevent looting
Also
- be aware of re-ignition from hotspots
- watch for suspects
- identify witnesses among on-lookers and passers by
- report all matters of significance to the O/C or scene co-ordinator
18
Q
What is the point of origin for a fire?
A
The exact location at which:
•a component failed
•a fire was maliciously lit
•an accidental fire originated
19
Q
Considerations for scene preservation
A
- scope of area to be preserved
- Cordons
- Common approach path
- Documentation where preservation is difficult
20
Q
Common approach path
A
All traffic should be limited to corridors or paths which will keep scene disturbance low.
Areas to be used should be searched prior to any others entering
21
Q
Documenting the scene when preservation is difficult (eg. Needing to be demolished for safety)
A
Sketches
Photographs
Plans
Video recordings
22
Q
Specialists who may be required at scene
A
- esr scientist
- rural fire investigator
- photographer
- fingerprint technician
- explosives inspector
- electrical inspector
- building inspector
- insurance assessor
- accountant
- forensic mapper
- pathologist
- vehicle inspector
- civil aviation expert
- mines inspector
- forestry expert
- agricultural expert
- marine surveyor
- heating engineer
- meteorologist
23
Q
What roles should he appointment by O/C investigation at scene
A
- exhibits officer
- crime scene co ordinator
- advise the fire investigation liaison officer
- scene examiner
24
Q
External examination takes into account
A
- Adjoining premises
- surrounding areas of involved premise
- the damaged structure itself
25
External exam - things to look for in adjoining premises?
- accelerant containers
- attempts at forced entry
- broken windows
- forced doors
- nearby alleyways/ streets/ driveways
- the yards and outbuildings of the fire effected property
- distance of debris scatter
26
External exam - surrounding areas may reveal?
- Accelerant containers
- contents of outbuildings missing
- property run-down
- business appears to be struggling
27
External exam - damaged structure may reveal
- Jemmy marks or signs of forced entry
- window glass broken before the fire was ignited
- burn patterns above doors and windows and “V” shaped burn patterns on external cladding
28
Prelim internal examination
Take note of:
- low stock levels in commercial premises
- building areas in need of repair
- signs of hardship
- missing family photographs, furniture or personal items.
- lack of clothing in ward robes of drawers
- rifles premises
- position of clothes if not in ward robe or drawers
- open filing cabinets or missing files
- forced entry into an empty til
- presence of accelerant containers or trails
- separate unrelated seats of fire
- owner/occupier attitude during walk through
- unusual odours
- burn patterns
29
Detailed internal examination - done with specialist fire investigator
- smoke deposits or burn patterns
- spalling
- damage to wall studs
- damage to roofing timber’s
- damage to window sills or door edges
- spot deposits on window glass and craze patterns
- floor areas burned through
- skirting board damage
- elimination of false low burns
- removal of fire debris
- under floor inspection
30
Spalling
The cracking or chipping of concrete as a result of being heated and cooled
31
What will the specialist fire investigator be able to determine following the internal examination
- the area of origin
- the point of origin
- the seat of the fire
32
Considerations by Specialist fire investigator to determine seat of the fire
- witnesses reports
- when they first noticed the fire and where they were at the time
- the state of the fire at that time
- wind direction and speed, and the weather
- the direction of the spread
- colour of flames and smoke
- the severity of damage
- the depth of charring
- the presence of ‘starting devices’
- the reports and opinions of other specialists
33
Causes of fire - Evidence of accelerants
- containers
- traces in debris
- smell
- unusually rapid spread or intensity of fire
- uneven burning
- burning under or behind boards where the liquid has run though the cracks
- multiple seats of fire
34
Causes of fire - evidence of intentional interference
- Tampering with a the alarm or sprinkler system
- hindering access
- misdirecting fire fighters
- evidence of intentional removal of valuable property
- signs that furniture was rearranged to create fire base
- signs that windows or skylights were opened to create a draft
- foreign materials and objects
- signs a crime had been committed (may have been burned to destroy evidence)
- signs that a heater or other appliance has been left on
- inconsistencies (eg. fire is rapid burning but there is no obvious cause)
- unusual burn patterns or unusual time factors
35
Exhibits
1. Photograph in situ, label the exhibits and preserve them in containers
2. Use approved arson kits if available (can use unused paint tins)
3. Take these controlled samples
- charred timber and ashes or debris from seat of fire for comparison with samples from other points
- any accelerants found near the scene
- soil from the surrounding area
36
Area enquiries
| Steps:
1. Send staff to interview people who work at other warehouses to check for other arson attempts
2. Prelim interview of the owner. Find out:
- when premise was last secured, and by whom
- whether he or she knows of the cause of the fire
- the details of any suspects and any insurance
- type of business
- actions leading up to the fire
3. Complete the interviews and obtain, or arrange to obtain, formal statements from the informant, witnesses and owner.
4. Give your supervisor a sitrep. Be prepared to speak to this if required at the scene conference.
37
Conferences held during the scene examination to assist with:
- assessing information obtained
- reconstructing
- establishing possible motives
- identifying suspects
- planning further enquiries
38
General enquiries for fires not involving explosives
1. Submit all articles for ESR analysis as early in the enquiry as possible
2. Issue an offence report - enter stolen property as NIA item
3. Obtain written reports, photos and plans from:
- the specialist fire investigator who can supply
- the CAD report
- a fire investigation report
4. To stimulate the flow of information and ID suspects consider:
- making media enquiries
- sending bulletin board messages to local and neighbouring police
- informing staff at a line up
- using special notices, if there is a pattern to the fires
5. Plan enquiries and ensure the people are interviewed
- The owner and occupier
- the person who last secured the building
- the person who found the fire
- the person who gave the alarm
6. Consider an area canvass of the neighbourhood
7. Consider possible motives
8. Contact insurance company
9. Consider prevention and apprehension opportunities for ‘firebugs’ or ‘pyromaniacs’
10. Inform intel and fire investigation liaison officer and find out info on suspects, similar fires etc.
11. Enquire at meteorological service to officially establish the weather conditions at time of the fire
12. Maintain contact with the owner of the property (and victim)
39
What to obtain from insurance companies during investigation?
- services of an assessor (for building value and damage)
- particulars of the insurance on the premise and their contents
- copies of insurance policies
- information on prior claims
- any recent increases in cover
- over insurance
40
Means of identifying suspects
- Circumstances of the fire
- fingerprints
- information from informants and witnesses
- media response
- intel, youth services or fire investigation liaison officer
- enquiries at prisons, psych hospitals, rehab centres and schools
- information from fire crews on regular fire attendees
41
Suspects may include
- owner or occupier (insurance fraud)
- an employee (to cover theft, forgery or false pretences)
- a criminal (covering a homicide, burglary or intimidate victims)
- an aggrieved person
- pyromaniac suffering from mental illness
- pupil or ex pupil (schools)
- member of fire service
- a business competitor
42
When executing a warrant for the suspect, what may evidence include
- accelerants
- containers
- igniters
- wick fabric
- traces of debris from the scene
43
What should be established about any suspect
- opportunity
- motive
- men’s rea
- connection with the scene and the crime
- character, mental background, history, movements and behaviour
44
Common electrical ignition sources
- heaters and clothing
- electrical lamp and petrol igniters
- main switchboard wiring by use of a gas torch applied to the earth or neutral bars
- “fallen” table or standard lamp in conjunction with combustible materials
- toaster with nearby curtains
- leaving a pot on a stove element
- ceiling exhaust fans
- electric urns, bread makers, water heaters, deep fryers and rice cookers
45
Fires involving explosives
| Initial action:
1. Remember there may be a secondary device
2. Do not use cellphones, portable radios or other transmitting devices
3. Evacuate the scene to a distance of at least 100m
4. Obtain assistance from Department of labour if IED is located
46
Explosion characteristics
- cratering
- spread of debris
- shredding of materials
- a smell peculiar to the exploded material
- an overlay of dust
- shrapnel marks
47
What may be found for electric detonators
- lead wire (may help identify the type of detonator used
- neoprene plug
- short- circuiting shunt (small piece of plastic)
- the delay setting tag from the lead wire
- fragments of the electric detonator used
48
Equipment in the suspicious fire sampling kit (ESR)
- 1x 4 litre tin
- 1x 2 litre tin
- 1x 500ml tin
- 2x 18”x30” nylon bags
- DragonSP seals
- 1x tissues (for absorbing liquids)
- 1x 3ml pipette
- 2x latex gloves
- 5x exhibit labels
- 2 address labels
- 1x instruction sheet
49
When using the fire sampling kit, ensure that
- the samples have not been and cannot be cross contaminated
- all containers are sealed and clearly labelled
- liquid samples are secure and isolated from other exhibits
- the kit is forwarded as a unit, even if only one container used
- the package is correctly addressed
50
When to complete bomb/explosive/ IED report
- Bombings or accidental or deliberate explosions
- attempted bombings (device fails)
- Molotov cocktail attacks
- hoax devices
- bomb threats
- suspicious packages
- explosives that have been stolen or recovered
- unlawful possession of explosives
- any other explosives related incident
51
Rural fires which require investigation
- where the rural fire authority intends to make a claim under the rural fire fighting fund
- where negligence has been shown by a person or party (usually dealt with under forest and rural fires act 1977)
- all suspicious fires
- multiple fires start in an area with no apparent reason
- any fires which may provide the rural fire authority with information and assist in prevention and investigation strategies.
52
Providing explosives to commit an offence
Section, Act, Elements
Sec 272 CA 61
Knowingly has in his or her possession
Any explosive or dangerous engine, instrument or thing
With intent to use or enable any person to use the substance, dangerous engine, instrument or thing
To commit an offence
53
Intentional damage - danger to life
Section, act, elements
Sec 269(1) CA 61
Intentionally OR recklessly
Destroys or damages any property
Knows or ought to know that danger to life is likely to ensure
54
Intentional damage - no interest
Section, act, elements
Sec 269(2)(a) CA 61
Intentionally OR recklessly
Without claim of right
Destroys or damages any property
In which that person has no interest
55
Intentional damage - obtain benefit/cause loss
Sec 269(2)(b) CA 61
Intentionally or recklessly
Without claim of right
Destroys or damages any property
With intent to obtain any benefit or cause loss to any other person
56
Intentional damage - reckless disregard
Sec 269(3) CA 61
Intentionally
Destroys or damages any property
With reckless disregard for the safety of any other property
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