An Overview of the Firefighters role in Fire & Explosion Investigations

1. An Overview of the Firefighters role in Fire & Explosion Investigations

9. Fractured glass from window pane found on ground after fire. Note: no smoke stains – “Warning” sign on glass intact and not heat damaged – no curved fractures and all straight-line fractures -conclusion = mechanical damage prior to fire (break-in)

10. Types of Scenes

12. Each of these scenes could be a crime scene and you are the 1st in!!!! YIKES!

13. First In Firefighters are in a unique position to observe and note conditions and behaviour that maybe of critical importance in the investigative phase

14. Primary role of Dublin Firefighter • Save Life • Save Property • Render Humanitarian Aid All of these carry an intrinsic ‘ rider ’ When safe to do so…………… …..And we endeavour to carry out these roles regardless of the the status of that scene.

15. …..but not regardless of other considerations Why?

16. Because……… • Every Scene we attend is potentially a crime scene • And in accordance with best international practice we must understand our role as firefighters in relatioin to crime scenes.

17. Private Investigators Public Coroners Office Legislation Fire Dept. Product Manufacturers Fire / Explosion State Pathologist Garda / Police Forensic Scientist Loss Adjusters DPP Insurance Industry Legal Profession

18. So what can the firefighter do? Start thinking ‘outside the box’From the time of the callEnroute to the sceneArrival at the sceneInitial impressions at the scenePersons at the scenewhat you did at and inside the scene

19. Scenario • D41 61 31 44 64 35 D/O Delta ‘ Will you respond to a domestic fire, fully involved, at no. 66 Busy Street, off Malahide rd we have two confimed persons reported from off duty Firefighter. Senior Officer, Gardaí, ESB, Bord Gáis responding’.

20. You are on your way to this scene. Take a few moments to gather your thoughts and mentally prepare. You, your fellow firefighters and the Incident Commander will have a unique opportunity to makeobservations about the firebecause you will see the scene in its most undisturbed state. You also have the responsibility to exercise as much care as possible to preserve physical evidence for later collection. The investigation can be positively ornegatively affected by whatyou do or do not do. Mentally review your firefighting and observationresponsibilities.

21. At the Scene prior to entry • Information you might be given directly. • Information you might overhear. • Human behaviour of those you are talking with. • How are people speaking with you or to you! • Behaviour that you see beside you, see at a distance. • Unusual smells prior to donning. • Your focus is on your primary roles, that is your job. • But always think that the scene you are about to enter • could be a crime scene

22. Inside the Scene Route available to you -- Any difficulties with this route Anything suspicious about those difficulties What is the temperature like Where is the fire Can you tell what is on fire What colour is the flame

23. Inside the Scene (continued) How high are the flames What is the colour of the smoke Is it dense, rate of buoyancy? Heat and intensity in different areas Your observation of the burn, how did the fire behave Problems encountered with the fire fight

24. Inside the Scene (continued) How many seats of fire can you see Can you tell what fuels might be involved Can you identify any ventilation points How does fire seat or hot layer gases react to H2O or CAFS

25. Victims Cons or U/ConsWhere were they foundWhat position were they inWhat symptoms did they exhibitWhat did you doWhy

26. What are the implications of your actions? • None Why? Do as you are trained to do Do what will be considered reasonable

27. Witnesses • Identification witness (or forensic evidence in relation to identification) • Witnesses who can give evidence in relation to the circumstances of the fire • Person who last saw the deceased alive • Members of the fire service and rescue teams • Scenes examiner • Investigating Garda • Pathologist Dr. Brian Farrell Dublin City Coroner

28. Your mental tape recorder @ the scene. • Observe • (look at everything you can when possible N.B. 3 functions of a FF always come first) • Recognize • (Identify information that will be of use in follow up investigations) • Preserve • ( Only move what is necessary, remember what you did and why you did it) • Notify • (Tell your Station Officer / Incident Commander what actions you did or what you saw. • (Remember E.C.O. does not record all information on B.A. Board)

29. So what are investigators looking out for? • Information that remains at a scene which will help establish the Fire’s origin and cause: Where did it Start What was the first ignition source that came into contact with the first fuel

30. Summary

31. Thank you for your questions and interest.Good luck in your careers