PROGRESS TEST 2

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Will consider:

• Witness 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, weather
• The direction of spread
• The color of the flames and smoke
• Severity of the damage
• Depth of charring
• The presence of starting devices
• Reports and opinions of other specialists

(Police Manual Page 35)

Question 2

List 5 examples where carelessness may cause a fire?

Answer 2

Examples:

• Misusing electricity
• Children playing with matches, cigarette lighter etc.
• Burning off paint
• Vagrants lighting fires
• Welding and other industrial processes
• Leaving clothes near heating
• Wrapping up live ashes in paper
• Ironing
• Setting off fireworks
• using or storing flammable materials
• Burning rubbish
• Using domestic or campfires
• Leaving a stove/heater on
• Leaving fat unattended while cooking
• Smoking

Question 3

List 5 examples of material used to start a fire?

Answer 3

Examples:

• Candles
• Rubbish
• Molotov Cocktails
• Chemical lighters
• Timing devices
• Electric matches
• Matches and cigarettes
• Trailers
• Electrical apparatus

Question 4

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

Answer 4

Police Responsibilities:

• Conduct the criminal investigation or coronial enquiry
• Undertake responsibility for the protection, collection and recording of 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.
  (Police Manual Pg 12)

Question 5

Describe the powers conferred by Section 42 of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017 on the person in charge of the Fire Service at the fire site.

Answer 5

Powers conferred:

• Enter any land, building or structure:
• Break into any building or structure that may be on fire or otherwise endangered or that is near the emergency.
• Take or send any equipment or machine required to be used into, through, or upon any land, building or structure:
• remove from any land, building or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered or that is near the emergency, any flammable, combustible, explosive, or dangerous material found in the building or structure.
• Cause any building or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered, or that is adjacent or in the vicinity of any building or structure that is on fire or otherwise endangered to be pulled down or shored up (either in whole or in part).
• Cause any building or structure to be pulled down or shored up (either in whole or in part) at the time of the emergency or within a reasonable time afterwards.