Detailed Internal Examination
- Smoke deposits and burn patterns
- spalling (cracking of chipping of concrete)
- damage to wall studs
- damage to roofing timbers
- damage to windowsills and door edges
- soot 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
Preliminary internal examination
- low stock levels in commercial premises
- building areas in need of repair
- signs of hardship (empty flats, shops to rent)
- missing family photos
- lack of clothing in wardrobes and drawers
- position of clothes if note in the wardrobe or drawer
- rifled premises
- open filing cabinets or missing files
- forced entry into an empty till
- presence of accelerant containers or trails
- separate unrelated seats of fire
- owner/occupier attitude during walkthrough
- unusual odours
- burn patterns
List the different means of identifying suspects
the circumstances of the fire
·
fingerprints
·
information from informants and witnesses
·
media response
·
Police resources such as Intelligence and Youth Services sections or the Fire Investigation Liaison Officer
·
enquiries at prisons, psychiatric hospitals, rehabilitation centres and schools
·
information from fire crews on people who regularly attend fires.
Who might possible suspects include?
the owner or occupier, for insurance fraud
·
an employee, to cover theft, forgery or false pretences
·
a criminal, to cover the traces of a crime such as burglary or homicide, or to intimidate other victims of a protection racket
·
an aggrieved person suffering from jealousy, hatred, rage, prejudice or a desire for revenge
·
a pyromaniac suffering from mental illness
·
in the case of school buildings, a pupil or ex-pupil
·
a member of the Fire Service, for excitement or personal recognition
·
a business competitor, to disadvantage a rival.
Investigate suspects thoroughly and according to priority. Obtain their:
full particulars · criminal histories · details of any motor vehicle to which they may have access · details of any associates · photograph.
How might injuries be caused at an arson scene
How do you identify the best method of protection
See book
What evidence to look for at wilful/suspicious fires
Evidence of accelerants - cumrust
Evidence of intentional interference - mat
8 other points
