Initial action - Fires not involving explosives
- Briefly interview the informant
- Secure and control the scene
- Interview the SFI and O/C of the first appliance
- Interview the incident controller. Find out:
- Time, date and manner of the call
- What appliances attended
- The state of the fire upon arrival
- Action taken
- Information on building security
- Alterations made to scene
- Opinion as to whether suspicious or not
- Opinion of informant
- Any suspicious people vehicles - If the fire is extinguished, and the scene is safe, conduct a preliminary scene examination
- If suspicious, hold a conference
- Confer with staff and determine a plan of action. Brief and deploy staff to guard the scene, identify and interview witnesses and conduct area enquiries
- Provide a SITREP to comms. Request specialist assistance if required.
Initial action - Fires scenes involving explosives
- Be aware there may be a secondary device. Do not interfere with or handle anything unfamiliar.
- Do not use cell phones, radios or transmitting devices.
- Evacuate the scene to at least 100 meters away. Consider the use of explosive detector dogs.
- Contact the Department of Labour and request the assistance of an IED operator. If unavailable, consider a Defence Force Specialist.
- Provide SITREP’s to comms.
Remind IED operators to…
Where possible, consider using a non-destructive method of making a device safe in order to preserve forensic evidence.
IED operator initial assessment
Consider having the operator to record the initial assessment on video to record all items and placements before any action taken by them.
Complete suspect enquiries to establish:
- Opportunity
- Motive
- Mens rea
- Connection with the scene
- Character, mental background history, movements and behaviour
Common electrical ignition sources and techniques
Heaters and clothing
Electric lamp and petrol igniters
Ignition of the main switch board by gas torch
“Fallen lamp” in conjunction with combustible material
Toaster with nearby curtains
Leaving a pot of stew on the element
Ceiling exhaust fans
Electric urns, bread makers, water heaters, deep fryers and rice cookers
Where it is difficult to preserve the scene, record the scene by…
- Photographs
- Video recording
- Sketches
- Obtaining plans
SFI will be called to attend the scene in what situations?
- When a fire results in serious injury or death
- When the cause of the fire is undetermined or believed to be suspicious
- When a fire will result in significant regional or national impact
- A significant fire that has crossed property boundaries
- A structure fire where the building safety features have failed
- Any other fire upon request by Police or other agency
List the responsibilities of a FILO.
-Attending fire scenes involving that result in serious injury or death
-Coordinate investigations in their area or district
-Arrange Police attendance at fire scenes when required
-Provide assistance with fire related queries
Communicate with the National Fire Investigation Coordinator, Police District Intel Manager and the District Crime Manager
-Maintaining a relationship with the FSILO and SFI
-Coordinating fire investigation training with police staff in their district
-Providing assistance or expertise when required
List the responsibilities of an FSILO
- Arrange attendance from an SFI when required by the Police
- Maintain working relationships with the FILO
The SFI will liaise with police in relation to what four specific matters?
Handover of the scene
Access to the scene
Process for examination and investigation
Identification and collection of exhibits
Section 32 of the Fire Services Act 1975
All police present at a fire scene must cooperate with the person in charge of the Fire Service at the fire, suspected fire or other emergency
List the three categories of non-intentional causes of fire
Carelessness
Faults
Nature
Detail the process when dealing with liquid exhibits
Use only the bottles provided in the Suspicious Fire Sampling Kit. Ensure the tops are tightly fastened. Clean the outside surface of the bottle and place back in the polystyrene box. Keep secure and isolated from other exhibits.
Systematic Examination of a Crime Scene
- Organise staff and equipment, assign specific roles and responsibilities.
- Prepare the site for examination, set clear areas/zones.
- Conduct an external examination
- Conduct a preliminary internal examination. Look for:
• Low stock levels in commercial buildings
• Signs of hardship
• Signs of forced entry into an empty till
• Rifled premises
• Files missing from the filing cabinet
• Position of clothing if not in wardrobe
• Sentimental items removed
• Owner/occupier attitude during the walk through
• Separate unrelated seats of fire
• Burn patterns
• Accelerants
• Smells - Accompany the SFI for the detailed internal examination.
- Establish the cause of the fire
- Interview any witnesses
- Photograph, label and preserve evidence
- Conduct area enquiries
Injuries through hazards at a fire scene
- Inhalation of toxic substances
- Ingestion of particles
- Airborne dusts, particles
- Tripping on fire debris
- Cuts from sharp objects
- Falling down, over, onto, into obstructions or cavities
- Items falling from above
Protective clothing required
- Suitable helmet
- Face and nose mask, respirator or full BA
- Safety glasses
- Overalls
- Suitable gloves
- Heavy duty footwear with steel soles and caps
Considerations when guarding and controlling a scene
- Prevent interference with the scene
- Exclude unauthorised persons, keep owner/occupiers out
- Preserve evidence
- Prevent looting
- Be aware of re-ignition hot spots
- Stay vigilant for suspects returning to the scene
- Identify any witnesses at the scene and record details
- Obtain details of any suspicious vehicles or people
- Report any relevant matters to the O/C investigation or Crime scene coordinator
Characteristics of explosions
- Cratering
- Spread of debris
- Shredding of material
- Shrapnel marks
- A smell peculiar to that of the exploded material
- A overlay of dust
Police responsibilities at a fire scene examination and investigation
- To conduct the criminal investigation and coronial enquiry
* The protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence
What to ask the Fire Incident Controller
- Time, date and manner in which they received the call
- What appliances attended
- State of the fire upon arrival
- Actions taken at the scene
- Building security information
- Alterations made to the scene
- Opinion of the informant
- Opinion on whether the fire is suspicious or not and why
- Obtain details of any suspicious people or vehicle
Conferences are held during scene examination to assist with..
- Identifying suspects
- Reconstructing
- Establishing possible motives
- Assessing information obtained
- Planning further enquiries
What is recorded at a conference?
- Decisions made and the reasons for them
- Considerations and a detailed plan of action completed and agreed upon
- Timings and specific roles for all parties at the scene
- Risk assessment
People attending a conference could include:
- O/C CIB
- O/C Investigation
- Investigation team
- Crime Scene Coordinator
- Fire Investigation Liaison Officer
- Fire Service Investigation Liaison Officer
- Specialist Fire Investigator
- Photography
- SOCO
- ESR
- Building Inspector
- Electrical Inspector
- Vehicle Inspector
