SHENNA C.

ECOL November 17, 2020

BS-CRIMINOLOGY III
1. What are the duties and responsibilities of the arson investigators?
 An arson investigator surveys the scene of a fire to determine if the blaze was accidental
or intentional. They examine the physical attributes of a fire scene and identify and collect
physical evidence from the scene. This evidence is then analyzed to help determine if the
cause of the fire was accidental or deliberate.  After fires are reported and suppressed,
arson investigators help determine the cause of the blaze and, if appropriate, whether
criminal activity is involved. As an arson investigator you’ll coordinate your efforts with fire
departments, law enforcement agencies, the courts and criminal justice system.

2. What are the evidence to be collected at the fire scene subject for forensic
examination?
 Fire patterns (including multiple fire locations).
 Burn injuries to victims and fire patterns on clothing.
 Trailers, ignitable liquids, or other unusual fuel distribution (e.g., piles of newspapers,
furniture pushed together).
 Incendiary/ignition/explosive devices (e.g., lighters, matches, timing devices).
 Shoe prints and tire impressions.
 Broken windows and doors.
 Distribution of broken glass and debris.
 Indications of forced entry (tools and tool marks).
 Containers.
 Discarded clothing.
 Trace evidence (e.g., hairs, fibers, fingerprints, blood, other body fluids).
 Evidence of crimes in addition to the possible arson (e.g., weapons, bodies, drugs,
clandestine drug laboratory equipment).
 Witnesses, bystanders, and victims.
 Any other unusual items or the absence of normal contents or structural components.

3. What are the indicators of a possible chemical incident?

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BS-CRIMINOLOGY III

Dead Not just an occasional roadkill, but numerous animals (wild and
animals/birds/fish domestic, small and large), birds and fish in the same areas.
Lack of insect life If normal insect activity (ground, air, and/or water) is missing, then
check the ground/water surface/shore line for dead insects. If near
water, check for dead fish/aquatic birds.
Physical Symptoms Numerous individuals experiencing unexplained water-like blisters,
wheals (like bee stings), pinpointed pupils, choking, respiratory
ailments and/or rashes.
4. What are the indicators of a possible biological incident and radiological incident?
Mass casualties Numerous individuals exhibiting unexplained serious health problems
ranging from nausea to disorientation to difficulty in breathing to
convulsions to death.
Definite pattern of Casualties distributed in a pattern that may be associated with
casualties possible agent dissemination methods.
Illness associated Lower attack rates for people working indoors versus outdoors, or
with confined outdoors versus indoors.
geographic area
Unusual liquid Numerous surfaces exhibit oily droplets/film; numerous water surfaces
droplets have an oily film. (No recent rain.)
Areas that look Not just a patch of dead weeds, but trees, shrubs, bushes, food crops,
different in and/or lawns that are dead, discolored, or withered. (No current
drought.)
appearance
Unexplained odors Smells may range from fruity to flowery to sharp/pungent to
garlic/horseradish-like to bitter almonds/peach kernels to new mown
hay. It is important to note that the particular odor is completely out of
character with its surroundings.
Low-lying clouds Low-lying cloud/fog-like condition that is not explained by its
surroundings.
Unusual metal debrisUnexplained bomb/munitions-like material, especially if it contains a
liquid.(No recent rain.)

Indicators of a Possible Biological Incident

Unusual numbers, of Any number of symptoms may occur. As a first responder, strong
sick or dying people or consideration should be given to calling local hospitals to see if additional
animals causalities with similar symptoms have been observed. Casualties may
occur hours to days to weeks after an incident has occurred. The time
  required before symptoms are observed is dependent on the agent used
and the dose received. Additional symptoms likely to occur include
unexplained gastrointestinal illnesses and upper respiratory problems
similar to flu/colds.

 
Unscheduled and Especially if outdoors during periods of darkness.
unusual spray being
disseminated  
Abandoned spray Devices will have no distinct odors.
devices

Indicators of Possible Radiological Incident

Unusual numbers, of As a first responder, strong consideration should be given to calling local
sick or dying people or hospitals to see if additional casualties with similar symptoms have been
animals observed. Casualties may occur hours to days or weeks after an incident
has occurred. The time required before symptoms are observed is
dependent on the radioactive material used and the dose received.
Additional symptoms include skin reddening and, in severe cases,
vomiting.
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BS-CRIMINOLOGY III

 
Unusual metal debris Unexplained bomb/munitions-like material.

 
Radiation Symbols Containers may display a radiation symbol.

 
Heat Emitting Material Material that seems to emit heat without any sign of a external heating
source.

 
Glowing If the material is strongly radioactive, then it may emit a
material/particles radioluminescence.

5. What is the level of authority to conduct an arson investigation?

 Municipal Investigation and Intelligence Unit (MIIU) shall have the authority to conduct
investigation on fire incident cases with an incurred damage in the aggregate amount of
not exceeding Twenty Million Pesos (PhP 20,000,000.00).
 City Investigation and Intelligence Section (CIIS) shall have the authority to investigate fire
incident cases with an incurred damages in the aggregate amount of not exceeding Thirty
Million Pesos (PhP 30,000,000.00).
 Provincial/District Investigation and Intelligence Branch (PIIB/ DIIB) shall have the authority
to conduct investigation on fire incident cases with an incurred damage in the aggregate
amount of above Thirty Million Pesos (Php 30,000,000.00) but not exceeding Forty Million
Pesos (PhP 40,000,000.00).
 Regional Investigation and Intelligence Branch (RIIB) shall have the authority to conduct
investigation on fire incident cases with an incurred damage in the aggregate amount of
above Forty Million Pesos (Php 40,000,000.00) but not exceeding Sixty Million Pesos (PhP
60,000,000.00).
 Investigation and Intelligence Divsion of BFP National Headquarters shall have the
authority to investigate fire incident cases with incurred damages in the aggregate amount
of Sixty Million Pesos (PhP 60,000,000.00) and above.

6. What are the special provisions on fire arson investigation?

 Marine Transportation: In case of occurrence of fire involving a ship or vessel docked at
sea ports/wharves, the BFP investigation unit who has jurisdiction over such sea port or
wharf shall proceed to investigate the fire incident in coordination with the Maritime
Industry Authority (MARINA) or the Maritime Police.
 Air Transportation: In case of occurrence of fire involving an aircraft on the ground, the
BFP investigation unit who has jurisdiction over the area where the fire incident involving
an aircraft occurred shall proceed to investigate the said fire incident in coordination with
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) or the Airport Police.
 Forest Fires: In case of occurrence of a forest fire, the BFP investigation unit who has
jurisdiction over the area where the forest fire occurred, shall proceed to investigate the
said fire incident in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR), the Philippine National Police (PNP) and such other government
agency/ entity who may have interest in the said fire incident.
 Gas Leaks and Explosions: In case of occurrence of fire caused by gas leak or explosion,
the BFP investigation unit who has jurisdiction over the area where the gas leaks or
explosion occurred shall proceed to investigate the matter in coordination with Philippine
National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), or any investigation unit of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
 Fire Incidents within Economic Zones: In case of occurrence of fire within an area under
the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), the BFP Investigation unit who has
jurisdiction over the area where the economic zone is located shall proceed to investigate
in coordination with the Zone Manager.
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BS-CRIMINOLOGY III
 Investigating Fire incidents with Casualties: Investigation of this nature involves the visual
examination of the body/ cadaver; determination of identity and other personal
circumstances; proper documentation (in situ – sketch and photographs) and lifting of the
cadaver with the assistance of the Philippine National Police – Scene of the Crime
Operatives (PNP-SOCO) in order to determine whether the crime committed is plain
Arson or that Arson has been committed to conceal the commission of other crimes, such
as murder or homicide.

7. Considering you are the arson investigator, how are you going to determine the
cause of the fire, and how are you going to note the fire scene documentation.

Principle: Written documentation of the scene provides a permanent record of the investigator’s
observations that may be used to refresh recollections, support the investigator’s opinions and
conclusions, and support photographic documentation.

Procedure: The investigator should:

A. Prepare narrative, written descriptions and observations, including assessments of possible fire
causes. (See appendix A for samples.)

B. Sketch an accurate representation of the scene and its dimensions, including significant features
such as the ceiling height, fuel packages (e.g., combustible contents of the room), doors, windows,
and any areas of origin.
C. Prepare a detailed diagram using the scene sketch(es), preexisting diagrams, drawings, floor
plans, or architectural or engineering drawings of the scene. This may be done at a later date.

D. Determine whether additional documentation resources are necessary.

Summary: Written descriptions of the scene, along with accurate sketches and
measurements, are invaluable for focusing the investigation. Written scene
documentation recreates the scene for investigative, scientific analysis, and
judicial purposes and correlates with photographic evidence.

Photograph/Documentation of the Scene Principle: Photographic documentation creates a

permanent record of the scene and supplements the written incident report(s),
witness statements, or reports on the position of evidence. The investigator should
create and preserve an accurate visual record of the scene and the evidence prior
to disturbing the scene. Additional photography or videography should occur as
the investigation progresses.

Procedure: The scene should be photographed prior to the disturbance or removal of any evidence
and throughout the scene investigation. The investigator (or other individual
responsible for evidence) should:

A. Photograph and/or videotape the assembled crowd and the fire in progress.
B. Remove all nonessential personnel from the background when photographing the scene and
evidence.
C. Photograph the exterior and interior of the fire scene (consider walls, doors, windows, ceilings,
floors) in a systematic and consistent manner. (Videotaping may serve as an
additional record but not as a replacement for still photography.)
D. Photograph any points or areas of origin, ignition sources, and first material ignited.
E. Photograph any physical reconstruction of the scene.
F. Maintain photo and video logs. Record the date, the name of the photographer, and the subject.
G. Determine whether additional photographic resources are necessary (e.g., aerial photography,
infrared photography, stereo photography, photogrammetry).

Summary: Photographic documentation provides a permanent record of the scene.

SHENNA C. ECOL November 17, 2020
BS-CRIMINOLOGY III
Fire Sketching:

Fire Photograph/Documentation: