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CIB Modules > Arson > Flashcards

Arson Flashcards

1
Q

Initial Action

What to ask the Incident controller (FA MASSIVE – fat football manager)

A

F Fire State – What was the state of the fire when the fire service arrived

A Appliances - What appliances attended

M Manner – Time, date and manner of the call received

A Alterations - What alterations have they made to the scene eg forced doors/windows

S Security - What information do the fire service have on the security of the building

S Suspicious - is the fire suspicious and why?

I Informant – What is the fire service opinion of the informant?

V Vehicle or people - Details of people or vehicles acting suspiciously in the vicinity

Entered – What actions have the fire service taken, particularly in entering and ventilating the building after the fire?

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2
Q

Evidence of Wilful Causes of Fire –

MOVIE MASTER – Lethal Weapon movie starts with a wilful fire

A

M Multiple – Multiple seats of fire

O Opened – Signs that windows or skylights were opened to create a draft

V Valuables – Intentional removal of valuable property

I Intentional Interference - Evidence of intentional interference eg tampering with sprinkler or alarm systems

E Explosives – Evidence of explosives

M Misdirecting - Misdirecting fire fighters

A Accelerants – Evidence of accelerants eg containers

S Smell

T Traces – Traces in Debris

E Electrical Appliances – signs that electrical appliance has been left on eg heater, soldering iron

R Rapid Spread – Unusual rapid spread or intensity of fire.

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3
Q

Powers Under Section 28, Fire Service Act 197

Enter Close Remove Remove Do

A

Enter Close Remove Remove Do

Enter private property when it is on fire or endangered or when entry is essential to performing a necessary duty 28(4)(b)

Close roads 28(4)(h)

Remove Vehicles impeding the Fire service.  If necessary they can break into vehicles for the 
purpose 28(4)(i)

Remove people who are in a danger or interfering with operations, using reasonable force if necessary 28(4)(j)

Do anything else that is necessary for the protection of life and property 28(4)(n)

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4
Q

Conferences

A

Conferences are held to assist with

I REAP

I Identifying suspects

R Reconstructing

E Establishing possible motives

A Assessing the information obtained

P Planning further enquiries

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5
Q

After the conference

Appoint appoint advise appoint appoint

A

Appoint appoint advise appoint appoint

Appoint an exhibits officer

Appoint a crime scene coordinator (if required)

Advise the Fire Investigator co-ordinator

Appoint a scribe

Appoint a scene examiner

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6
Q

Guarding and controlling the scene

WOOD PILE (think scene guard sitting on a pile of fire wood)

A

WOOD PILE (think scene guard sitting on a pile of fire wood)

Watch – Be vigilant and watch for suspects

Onlookers – Locate witnesses among onlookers and passersby

O/C Investigation – Report all matters of significance to the O/C Investigation and/or scene coordinator

Damage – Prevent further fire or damage

Preserve – Preserve evidence

Interfering – Avoid interfering with the scene

Looting – Prevent Looting

Exclude – Exclude and control onlookers, property owners and other interested parties

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7
Q

Preliminary Internal Examination

During the preliminary Examination take note of indicators such as:

FOOL SURF RUB (Think of the lyal bay surf shop burnt down and the foolish owner still in the building, rubbing down his surf board)

A

FOOL SURF RUB (Think of the lyal bay surf shop burnt down and the foolish owner still in the building, rubbing down his surf board)

During the preliminary Examination take note of indicators such as:

F Forced - Forced entry into an empty till

O Open – Open filing cabinets or missing files

O Owner Occupier – Owner Occupier attitude during walk through (if access permitted)

L Low – Low Stock

S Signs – Signs of hardship

U Unrelated – Separate unrelated sets of fire

R Repair – Building areas in need of repair

F Family photos – Missing family photos, furniture and personal items

R Rifled – Rifled premises

U Unusual - Unusual odours

B Burn – Burn patterns

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8
Q

External Examination

ANY PD S

A

ANY PD S

The external examination takes into account:

Adjoining Premises which often reveal

 accelerant containers

 attempts at forced entry

 broken windows

 forced doors

Nearby Alleyways/streets/driveways

Yards and outbuildings of the fire effected property

Periphery of the structure itself

Distance debris were scattered, particularly if drums or containers have exploded

Surrounding area of the involved premises may also reveal:

B CAP (Think of a bumble bee with a cap on flying around the outside of a burnt building)

 B Business appears to be struggling

 C Contents of out building missing

 A Accelerant containers

 P Property run down

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9
Q

At the conclusion of the examination

APT (think what is appropriate, apt, to do at the conclusion)

A

APT (think what is appropriate, apt, to do at the conclusion)

A Area of origin

P Point of origin

T The Seat of the fire

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10
Q

Identifying the best method of protection

Consider:

A

Consider:

An assessment of:

 Inhalation of toxic substances

 Ingestion of particles etc

 Injection from sharp objects

 Airborne dusts, particles etc

 Tripping on fire debris

 Items from above falling onto you

A strategy to prevent an occurrence or to mitigate its impact

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11
Q

Characteristics damage caused by explosives

What to look for:

A

What to look for:

 Catering

 Spread of debris

 Shredding of materials

 A smell peculiar to the exploded material i.e. the smell of almonds

 An overlay of dust

 Shrapnel marks

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12
Q

Initial Action

Fires involving explosives

(SPED IS)

A

(SPED IS)

Step 1 Secondary device – Remember that there could be a secondary device anywhere at the

scene, including a nearby building or vehicle. Do not handle or interfere with anything unfamiliar

Step 2 Portables – Do not use cell phones, portables or the like

Step 3 Evacuate – Evacuate the scene to a distance of at least 100 metres

Step 4 Department of Labour – If the IED located, immediately obtain assistance of an IED operator

from the Department of Labour

Step 5 Inform – Inform the National Bomb Data Centre at PNHQ, using the ‘Bomb/Explosives/IED

Report’ form.

Step 6 Sitreps – Give the National Data Bomb Data Centre regular sitreps.

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13
Q

Initial Action with fires not involving explosives

IS FISH PC? (Think of eating racist fish and getting called out to a fire)

A

IS FISH PC? (Think of eating racist fish and getting called out to a fire)

Remember: Your aim is to coordinate the investigation and investigators using the NZFS to determine the origin and cause of the fire

Step 1: Informant – Briefly interview your informant

Step 2: Secure – Secure and control the scene

Step 3: Fire Safety Officer – Initial interview of the Fire Safety officer/OC of the first fire appliance to attend the scene

Step 4: Incident Controller – Interview the Incident Controller at the scene

Step 5: Safety of the scene – If the fire is extinguished, ensure the safety of the scene before an initial conference with Fire Service & Police and conduct an external examination and preliminary internal examination.

Step 6: Hold a briefing conference – Regroup and hold a briefing if deemed suspicious

Step 7: Plan of action – confer with other staff and determine a plan of action

Step 8: Contact comms – Contact comms and supply a sitrep. Ask for assistance if necessary, and the attendance of specialists, e.g. photographer, fingerprints, SOCO

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14
Q

Detailed Internal Examination

SSS DDD F’ SURE

A

(SSS DDD F’ SURE)

Completed by the Fire Safety Officer (with you accompanying them) take note and observe

Smoke deposits and burn patterns

Soot deposits on window glass and craze patterns

Spalling (the cracking or chipping of concrete as a result of being heated and cooled)

Damage to wall studs

Damage to roofing timbers

Damage to window sills and door edges

Floor areas burned through

Skirting board damage

Under floor inspection

Removal of fire debris

Elimination of false low burns

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15
Q

THE FIRE SERVICE MUST NOTIFY POLICE AND THE RELEVANT FIRE INVESTIGATION COORDINATOR

WHEN:

A

 The fire results in serious injury or death

 The fire is considered suspicious

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16
Q

Police Responsibility

A

The police must:

Conduct the criminal investigation or coronial enquiry

Undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording of forensic evidence

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17
Q

Specialist Fire Investigators

A

Employed by the fire service and called to attend and investigate:

Fires where fatalities occur

Fires where serious (life threatening) injuries have occurred

Structure fires where the cause is suspicious or, cannot be determined

Significant fire spread across a property boundary

Fires in buildings where built in fire safety features have failed, or not performed to known or expected standards

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18
Q

Insurance Companies

VICOR

A

VICOR

Contact the insurance company promptly to obtain the services of an assessor to provide:

Value the building and the damage particulars of the insurance of the building

Information on former claims

Contents copies of their proposals

Over Insurance (evidence of)

Recent Increase in the cover

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19
Q

Exhibits

A

PUT

Step 1 – Photograph and label the exhibits, and preserve them in containers.

Step 2 – Use approved arson kits if these are available; if not, use any suitable container such as unused four litre paint tins.

Step 3 - Take these control samples:

Charred timber, ashes or debris from the seat of the fire for examination and comparison with samples from other points

Any accelerants found near the scene

Soil from the surrounding area

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20
Q

Identifying the suspect

FIRM REC

A

FIRM REC

Fingerprints

Information from informants and witnesses

Information from Fire crews on people who regularly attend fires

Media response

Police resources eg Intel, Youth Aid

Enquiries at penal institutions, psychiatric hospitals, rehab centres and schools

The circumstances of the fire

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21
Q

Possible Suspects

PEPA COMB

A

PEPA COMB

Pyromaniac suffering from mental illness

Employee to cover theft, forgery or false pretences

Pupil or ex-pupil

Aggrieved person suffering from jealousy, hatred, rage etc

Criminal to cover the traces of an offence or to intimidate other victims

Owner or occupier for insurance fraud

Member of the fire service for excitement or personal recognition

Business competitor to disadvantage a rival

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22
Q

Suspect enquiries in respect of fires no involving explosives

ITS SEER IS ACE

A

ITS SEER IS ACE

1 Identifying – identifying suspects (as per ‘possible suspects’)

2 Thoroughly – Investigate the suspects thoroughly and according to priority (QHA, vehicles,

associates, photo)

3 Suspects – Possible suspects (as per ‘identifying suspects list)

4 Surveillance – Consider surveillance

5 Establish – Complete enquiries to establish the suspect’s opportunity, motive, mens rea,

connection with the scene and offence, character etc

6 Execute a search warrant in the presence of the suspect

7 Record statement – Interview the suspect and obtain a recorded statement covering the

ingredients of the offence

8 ID parade – consider a photo montage or ID parade

9 Supervisor – Advise your supervisor

10 Arrest – Consider arresting the suspect

11 Correspondence – Complete the correspondence and prosecution file

12 Explanation – Complete enquiries to corroborate or negate the suspect’s explanation

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23
Q

Questions to ask the owner

SCATS

A

SCATS

Secured – when the premises was last secured and by whom

Cause – whether he or she knows the cause of the fire

Actions – actions leading up to the fire

Type – Type of business

Suspects – the details of any suspects and any insurance

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24
Q

Definition of reckless:

A

Can’t remember exact wording or order but I put a) answer is b) but i have appealed because i think they are wrong

a) Foresight of dangerous consequences and continues regardless
b) Foresight of dangerous consequences and continues regardless without REASONBLE care

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25
Q

Who is in charge at the fire when you arrive

A

Answer: senior fire officer at the scene

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26
Q

R v Hallam

A

On a charge of knowing having possession of an explosive substance, it must be proved that the offender knowingly had the substance in his possession and also that he knew it to be an explosive substance.

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27
Q

10 ways to set a fire

A 
Rubbish
Candle
Chemical igniters
Electrical apparatus - iron, toaster, bar heater
Electric matches
Matches
Cigarette
Molotov Cocktail
Timing device
Trailer
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28
Q

Difference between a gas explosion and an explosive that is set

ACME

A

ACME – (Wiley coyote by an ACME explosive kit and makes a big crater

Explosions caused by gas generally cover a wider area than those caused by explosives

Explosives cause cratering

Medical evidence – one or more the suspects or victims may have inhaled gas prior to the explosion

Other tell tale signs like the implosion of cabinets which will be obvious to experts.

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29
Q

In determining the seat of the fire the specialist fire investigator will consider:

A

When - Witness reports

First - When they first noticed the fire

Stating - State of fire at that time

Which - Wind direction and speed, and the weather

Direction- Direction of spread

Smoke - Colour of the flames and smoke (may point to cause, eg black smoke may indicate petroleum based fire

Damaged - Severity of damage(heat fire raise/lowest area with most damage often place where is started – though lateral/downwards burning can occur in presence of some materials/accelerants/draughts

Charing - Depth of charing (probing may indicate where fire has been burning or smouldering the longest

Devices - Presence of starting devices

Report - Reports/opinions of other specialists

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30
Q

Suspect Enquiries (10 Things)

A
  1. You may identify suspects by means of;

Police resources such as intel, youth aid, information from informants or witnesses,

Enquiries at prison, rehab centres, schools, psych hospitals, media response, information from fire crews, circumstances of the fire, fingerprints.

  1. Investigate suspects thoroughly and to priority. Obtain;

 Full particulars

 QHA

 Motor vehicles they have access to

 Details of Associates

  1. Possible suspects may include;

 Owner (Fraud)

 Employee (To cover theft)

 A criminal (destroying evidence)

 An aggrieved person

 Pyromaniac

 Fire Employee (Recognition)

 Business Competitor

  1. Consider Surveillance
  2. Complete Enquiries to establish suspects opportunity, motive, Mens Rea, connection with scene and/or evidence, Character, movements and mental background.
  3. Execute Search Warrant in presence of suspect;

 Look for accelerants, igniters, wick fabric, debris from scene

 Photograph in Situ

 Ask for explanation from suspect

 268 Exhibits

 Seized, examined, labelled, stored by exhibits officer

  1. Interview the suspect
  2. Consider Photo board
  3. Advise supervisor, consider ingredients of offence, have ingredients been proved?
  4. Consider arresting suspect. Obtain photo and fingerprints and DNA or details.
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31
Q

What is the process for control, investigation, and handover of fire scenes?

A
  1. The fire service has authority over a fire scene while a fire is in progress. Once the fire is extinguished and any threat to life of property no longer exists, the fire service must hand the scene of the fire over to the appropriate person or agency. In certain circumstances this
    will be Police.
  2. 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 suspicious. The fire service will also notify the police of all incidents where fatalities or serious (life threatening) injuries occur.
  3. 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 hand over process.
  4. The Fire service will not normally hand over a fire scene until the danger of fire, structural collapse, exposure to dangerous products of combustion or other fire related hazards have been identified and eliminated, isolated or minimised.
  5. 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.
  6. The investigation plan will include an outline of how the investigation will proceed and the role of each agency.
32
Q

What does the external examination take into account?

A

Adjoining premises which can reveal accelerant containers, attempts at forced entry, broken windows, forced doors

Nearby alleyways / streets / driveways

The yards and outbuildings of the fire effected property

The periphery of the structure itself

What distance debris were scattered, particularly if drums or cylinders have exploded

33
Q

During external examination the surrounding area of the involved premises may also reveal;

A

 Accelerant containers

 Contents of outbuildings missing

 Property run down

 Business appears to be struggling

34
Q

The damage structure itself may reveal;

A

Jemmy marks or other signs of forced entry on windows or doors

Window glass broken before the fire was ignited

Burn patterns above windows and doors and “V” shaped burn patterns on external cladding

35
Q

What will the specialist fire investigator consider when determining the seat of the fire?

(What will Danny do cause she paid Rob?)

A

(What will Danny do cause she paid Rob?)

Witness reports; when they noticed the fire, where they were at that time, the state of the fire at that time

Wind direction and speed and the weather

Direction of the spread

Depth of charring (Where it has been smouldering the longest)

Colour of the flames and the smoke (May point to the cause)

Severity of the damage (because heat and fire rise the area at the lowest level of burning with most damage is often the place the fire started)

Presence of starting devices

Reports and opinions of other specialists

36
Q

Conferences must be held during the scene examination to assist you with;

A

 Assessing information obtained

 Reconstructing

 Identifying Suspects

 Planning further enquiries

 Establishing possible motives

37
Q

At conference…you should then

A

…Appoint and crime scene co-ordinator (if required), exhibits officer, scribe, scene examiner and advise the fire investigation coordinator.

38
Q

Is Tenancy an interest in land? Can a tenant be convicted of recklessly damaging by fire? What is
the related case law?

A

Yes tenancy is an interest

Tenant cannot be charged with recklessly damaging by fire

Case Law – R v Wilson 2008

39
Q

Define Benefit

A

BENEFIT – Any benefit, pecuniary advantage, privilege, property, service or valuable consideration.

40
Q

Does explosive include fireworks?

A

No.

41
Q

What will the NZFS Fire safety officer or specialist fire investigator be able to determine at the conclusion of their internal examination?

A

 Area of origin

 Point of origin

 The seat of the fire

42
Q

How can you tell the difference between a gas explosion and other explosions?

A

Gas explosions generally cover a wider area and they do not leave a crater, and, implosion of cabinets.

43
Q

When interviewing witnesses at the scene, ask them;

A

 Suspects

 Other peoples movements

 People who have left the scene

 Consider using media footage to ID people at scene

44
Q

EXHIBITS – FIRE SCENE – Follow these steps;

A
  1. Photograph and label the exhibits and preserve them in containers
  2. Use approved arson kits if available or use suitable containers
  3. Take these control samples; Charred timber, ash, debris from the seat of the fire for examination and comparison with samples from other points; any accelerants found near

the scene; soil from the surrounding area.

45
Q

What is the procedure on arrival at a fire scene? (8 Steps)

A
  1. Briefly interview the informant
  2. Secure and control the scene
  3. Initial interview of the fire safety officer and the O/C of the first fire appliance to attend the scene.
  4. Interview the incident controller at the scene and find out;

 The time and date, manner of the call

 What appliances attended

 The state of the fire when the Fire Service arrived

 What action the fire service has taken? I.e. entering and ventilating

 Information the Fire Service has about the buildings security

 What alterations they have made to the scene, e.g. forced doors

 Whether they think the fire is suspicious and why

 Their opinions of the informant

 Details of people or vehicles acting suspiciously in the vicinity

  1. If the fire is extinguished, ensure safety of the scene before an initial conference is held with the Fire Safety officer. Conduct an external examination initial preliminary examination of the scene
  2. If deemed suspicious then re-group and hold a briefing conference
  3. Determine a plan of action. Deploy staff to guard and control the scene, identify and interview witnesses at the scene and conduct local enquiries
  4. Contact COMMS and supply a SITREP. Arrange specialists/photographer/fingerprints
46
Q

What should you look out for during a preliminary internal examination? (8 Things)

A

(Preliminary examination is a slow walk through from the least damaged area to most damaged)

 S – Signs of hardship (empty flats, shops to let)

 M – Missing family photos, furniture, and personal items

 A – Areas in need of repair

 L – Low stock

 L – Lack of clothing in wardrobes or drawers

 P – Presence of accelerant containers

 U – Unusual odours

 B – Burn patterns

47
Q

Following preliminary examinations you will accompany the fire safety officer while they complete a detailed examination. What will they observe and take note of?

A

Smoke deposits and burn patterns

 Spalling (The cracking or chipping or concrete as a result of being heated and cooled)

 Damage to wall studs

 Damage to roofing timbers

 Damage to windows wills and door edges

 Soot deposits on window glass and craze patterns

 Floor areas burnt through

 Skirting board damage

 Elimination of false low burns

 Under floor inspection

48
Q

Things to look for in relation to the cause of the fire: (10 Things)

A

 Signs of window and skylights were opened to create a draught

 Evidence of explosives

 Evidence of accelerants;

 Burning under or behind boards where liquid has run

 Uneven burning

 Multiple seats of fire

 Containers

 Unusual rapid spread or intensity of fire

 Traces in debris

 Smell

 Intentional removal of valuable property or substituting

 Evidence of intentional interference

 Tampering with alarm/sprinkler system

 Hindering access

 Misdirecting the firefighters

 Signs furniture was rearranged to create a fire base

 Foreign material/objects such as screws or batteries that might be part of a device

 Inconsistencies, unusual burn patterns, unusual time factors

 Signs of an offence committed. May have been burnt to destroy evidence

 Signs a heater, soldering iron, electrical appliance left on

49
Q

Preliminary Interview of the Owner – Points to address?

A

 When the premises was last secured and by whom

 Whether he or she knows the cause of the fire

 Actions leading up to the fire

 Type of business

 The details of any suspects and any insurance

50
Q

What to look for at an explosive fire. Characteristic damage caused by explosives includes;

A

 Cratering

 Overlay of dust

 Shrapnel marks

 Smell particular to the exploded material, e.g. the smell of almonds is often associated with

explosive or exploded material

 Shredding or materials

 Spread of debris

51
Q

Guarding or controlling the scene – Police guarding the scene must;

A

 A – Avoid interfering with the scene

 P – Preserve evidence

 P – Prevent further fire or damage

 L – Prevent looting

 E – Exclude – and control on-lookers, property owners and other interested parties

 V – Be vigilant and watch for suspects

 L – Locate witnesses among on-lookers

 R – Report all matters of interest and significance to the O/C investigation and/or scene coordinator

52
Q

Initial Action when fire involving explosives – 6 Steps

A
  1. Remember there could be a secondary device anywhere at the scene. Do not handle anything unfamiliar.
  2. Do not use cell phones, portable radios or the like
  3. Evacuate scene to at least 100 metres. Ensure people leaving the scene bring their personal

items with them. This limits the number of items to be cleared. Consider using explosives detector dogs.

  1. If the IED is located, immediately obtain the assistance of an IED operator from the department of labour or armed forces
  2. Inform the NBDC using the ‘Bomb/Explosive IED’ report form
  3. Give the National Bomb Data Centre regular SITREPS
53
Q

Identifying the Explosive

A

Identifying the Explosive – Because modern explosive residues are often slight and dissipate rapidly, the O/C scene may need to authorise the expert to enter the centre of the scene before it has been fully examined. In this case;

Create a path to the centre of the explosion, by laying a clean unused roll of plastic or by using approved stepping plates (this may involves some exhibits being trampled under foot)

Have the ESR analyst start swabbing the area immediately (Work outwards from the seat of
the explosion)

Vertical sheets of iron adjacent to the blast, such as street signs and fencing, are often good sources of residue

54
Q

Fire Scene Safety – “Best Method of Protection”

A

Fire scenes are undoubtedly one of the most unstable environments in which to work. The fire scene may be safe initially, however, due to the effects of the fire, may become unsafe during the post fire incident investigation.

Investigators often find themselves searching through an unstable structure and excavating the scene to identify the cause of a fire.

55
Q

Injuries through hazards - At a fire scene most injuries are received from these hazards;

A

 Inhalation of toxic substances

 Ingestion of particles etc.

 Injection of sharp objects

 Air borne dusts, particles etc.

 Tripping on fire debris

 Falling down, over, onto or into any of the above

 Items from above falling onto you of hitting objects and causing a chain reaction

To identify the best method of protection, you must consider an assessment of each of the above and a strategy to prevent an occurrence or to mitigate its impact.

56
Q

Clothing Protection – To complete the protective clothing used by the on scene investigator, these
items are required;

A

 A suitable helmet (that complies with the safety standard)

 A pair of overalls

 Nose and mouth filter, a full face respirator or full BA (if required and qualified)

 Gloves

 Safety Glasses

 Shovels, rakes, sieves, pegs, twine

 Heavy duty footwear with steel soles and toe caps

57
Q

Fire Scene Preservation

SCOPE – How much area needs to be preserved?

A

SCOPE – How much area needs to be preserved?

 Single room

 Entire building

 A large area that includes a building or buildings; and

 Large outside area

Apply the investigation process and make an informed decision as to where most of the information you require is located, and what needs to be preserved.

58
Q

CORDON – Make cordons as wide as practical

A

 Identify the centre of the scene

 Tape of outside, what is considered to be the most obvious item of evidence that is furthest away from the centre of the scene

59
Q

COMMON APPROACH PATH

A

All traffic through the scene should be limited to corridors i.e. the same paths which will keep disturbance of the scene to a minimum. The investigator should search the areas to be used as corridors prior to them receiving any traffic to avoid the possibility of
evidence being introduced after the event and reduce the possibility of evidence being destroyed or
To assist in preserving the scene whilst firefighting operations are in progress, the investigator
should liaise with the incident controller to limit unnecessary operations within the area of origin.

60
Q

WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT TO PRESERVE THE SCENE

A

WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT TO PRESERVE THE SCENE – In certain circumstances, such as demolition of specific areas due to safety, it may be difficult to preserve the scene. In such cases as this the investigator must record the scene, prior to demolition, by;

 Sketches

 Photographs

 Plans

 Video recordings

61
Q

Scene Costing and Assistance – Advantages of having external Fire Investigator

A

Insurance companies will either employ or use their own internal qualified fire investigators to investigate the origin and cause of the fire after the NZFS and Police have completed their enquiry.

It is to your advantage to speak to those persons early in your investigation, once their qualifications have been confirmed.

Including these persons where possible can lead to a more complete investigation and they can assist with their skill base and possibly resourcing to assist in the investigation, i.e. hire or lease of equipment, electrical engineers, etc.

These persons come under the Police/NZFS scene management and must be managed as such.

62
Q

R v Mohan

A

A fleeting or passing thought is not sufficient; there must be a firm intent or firm purpose to effect an act.

63
Q

R v Harney

A

Recklessness involves a foresight of dangerous consequences that could well happen together with
an intention to continue with the course of conduct regardless of the risk.

64
Q

R v Archer

A

Property may be damaged if it suffers permanent or temporary physical harm or temporary or permanent or temporary impairment of its value.

65
Q

R v Harpur

A

The court may have regard to the conduct viewed cumulatively up to the point when the conduct in
questions stops. The defendant’s conduct may be considered in its entirety. Considering how much
remains to be done is always relevant though not determinative.

66
Q

R v Hallam

A

On a charge of knowingly having possession of an explosive substance, it must be proved that the

offender knowingly had the substance in his possession and also that he knew it to be an explosive

substance.

67
Q

R v Morley

A

Loss is assessed by the extent to which the complainant’s position prior to the offence has been
diminished or impaired.

68
Q

List the ingredients of arson in s267 (1) (a)

A

The ingredients of arson in s267 (1) (a) are;

 Intentionally or recklessly

 Damages by fire or by means of explosive

 Any property

 If he or she knows or ought to know

 That danger to life is likely to ensue

69
Q

Explain what recklessly means citing the relevant case law.

A

Acting recklessly involves consciously and deliberately taking an unjustified risk.

Case Law (R v Harney): Recklessness involves a foresight of dangerous consequences that could well

happen together with an intention to continue with the course of action regardless of the risk.

70
Q

Legally you are allowed to set fire to or damage your own property. However, there are exceptions to this general rule. What are these exceptions?

A

Legally you are allowed to set fire to your own property, unless you;

Intend to cause loss to someone else as a result of the fire

Know or ought to know that the fire will endanger life

Know that the fire is likely to destroy or damage someone else’s property as a consequence

71
Q

There are nine stages in your systematic examination of the scene of a fire. What are these stages?

A
  1. Prepare by organising appropriate staff and equipment. Clear areas and set clear areas of
    responsibility.
  2. Preparing the examination and arrange for the site to be examined systematically.
  3. Examine the exterior of the fire site.
  4. Conduct a preliminary internal examination of the site.
  5. Conduct a detailed internal examination to identify the area of origin, point of origin and seat of the fire.
  6. Identify the case of the fire.
  7. Interview witnesses at the scene.
  8. Photograph, label and preserve exhibits.
  9. Conduct area enquiries
72
Q

In determining the seat of the fire, list some of the matters the specialist fire investigator should consider.

A

 Witness reports

 When they first noticed the sire and where they were at the time

 The state of the fire at that time

 Wind direction and speed, weather

 The direction of the spread

 The colour of the flames and smoke

 Severity of the damage

 Depth of the charring

 The presence of starting devices

 Reports and opinions from other specialists

73
Q

List five examples where carelessness may case fire.

A

 Misusing electricity

 Children playing with matches, cigarette lighters and so on

 Burning off paint

 Vagrants lighting fires

 Welding and other industrial processes

 Leaving clothes near heating

 Wrapping up lives ashes in paper

 Ironing

 Setting off fireworks

 Using or storing flammable materials

 Burning rubbish

 Using domestic or camp fires

 Leaving a stove or heater on

 Leaving fat unattended while cooking

 Smoking

74
Q

List five examples of material used to start fire.

A

 Readily available combustible material – rubbish

 Molotov Cocktails

 Candles

 Chemical igniters

 Timing devices

 Electric Matches

 Electrical apparatus

 Matches and cigarettes

 Trailers

75
Q

Detail the Police responsibilities at a fire scene examination and investigation.

A

The Police must;

 Conduct the criminal investigation or coronial enquiry

 Undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording or forensic evidence

 The collection and removal of material from a fire crime scene will only be done by Police or

other agencies with the authority to remove evidence

 The preservation, analysis and subsequent disposition of any such material is the responsibility of Police or other agency

76
Q

Describe the powers conferred by s28 of the Fire Service Act 1975 on the person in charge of the Fire Service at the fire site.

A

Enter private property when it is one fire or endangered, or when entry is essential to performing a necessary duty

Close roads

Remove vehicles impeding the Fire Service. If necessary they can break into vehicles for that purpose

Remove people who are in danger or interfering with operations, using reasonable force if necessary

Do anything else that is reasonably necessary for the protection of life and property

CIB Modules (6 decks)

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