NCJ Number
82861
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 55 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-July 1982) Pages: 164-169
Date Published
1982
Length
12 pages
Annotation
The objectives, course content, and results of a 1-day course in fire investigation for British Scenes-of-crime officers are discussed.
Abstract
The principal aim of the course is to provide scenes-of-crime officers with the essential knowledge of fire investigation to enable them to make the most effective use of the laboratory. A more general aim is to promote a uniformly high standard of technical support to police officers investigating fires in the area served by the Wetherby Forensic Science Laboratory. It is the role of scenes-of-crime officers, by virtue of their training, experience, and close liaison to the laboratory, to help the investigating officer to ensure that the resources of the laboratory are used effectively in the investigation. The course program begins with an introductory talk on the problem of investigating fires effectively, as well as course objectives. The introduction is followed by four talks and two films dealing with (1) the nature and general causes of fire (technical talk, 1 hr.), (2) the nature of fire (film, 40 min.), (3) the investigation of fire (technical talk, 1 hr. 20 min.), (4) hazards of hospital cubicles (film, 10 min.), (5) the role of scenes-of-crime officers in fire investigation (talk, 1 hr.), and (6) fire-scene examination and sampling procedure (talk, 40 min.). Since the establishment of the course, the number of cases received by the laboratory which relate to fires has increased, and the quality of material collected by scenes-of-crime officers in the investigations has increased significantly. The courses have also increased communication and cooperation in fire investigations.