applied science - unit 25 C - chemistry - distinction level
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Course
Unit 25 - Forensic Fire Investigation
Institution
PEARSON (PEARSON)
this is distinction level work .
it was so well made that it was used by my teacher as a example/guide on how to complete to module for my classmates
this fire report is very detailed it is around 71 pages.
In order to keep our communities safe and orderly, police officers are essential. They are in charge of
upholding the law and defending citizens against criminal activity. The three main responsibilities of
a police officer are patrol, investigation, and community policing. Patrolling is done on a regular
basis in designated areas to prevent and catch criminal activity. This includes responding to service
requests, looking into shady activity, and, if necessary, making arrests. Additionally, police officers
have the power to stop traffic and cite people. Following up on reported crimes is a component of
investigative duties. Interviewing witnesses, gathering data, and issuing warrants are all included in
this. To gather information and solve crimes, police officers might also collaborate with other law
enforcement organizations. In order to decrease crime and increase public safety, the philosophy of
community policing places a strong emphasis on developing relationships with local residents. Police
officers may take part in local activities, speak with local leaders, and create programs to deal with
local crime issues. In addition to these particular responsibilities, police officers must also be
equipped to deal with a variety of emergencies, such as terrorist attacks, civil unrest, and natural
disasters. Additionally, they must have the ability to collaborate with other institutions and groups in
order to plan coordinated responses.
• What were the role of police in the king cross fire, their impact and how they solved
the fire
In order to determine the fire's origins and hold those responsible accountable, the police played a
crucial role. Securing the crime scene and keeping records of any evidence was one of the police's
first duties. In order to prevent anyone from tampering with any evidence that might be essential to
the investigation, the area had to be cordoned off. In order to find and evacuate any lingering
survivors and make sure that the fire was completely put out, the police also collaborated with the
firefighting teams.
The police started their investigation after the scene was made secure. To gather information,
pinpoint potential fire causes, and ascertain the most likely source of ignition, they collaborated with
fire inspectors, and other specialists. In addition to conducting witness interviews, the police
gathered physical evidence such as melted or burned objects, damaged electrical apparatus, and
charred remains in order to be examined .They looked at a variety of things, such as the station's
design and upkeep, the materials used in construction, and the management practices employed by
the London Underground. They succeeded in putting together a complete picture of what had taken
place and how the fire had started. The fact that the cause of the fire was not immediately apparent
presented one of the main difficulties for the police. But thanks to their diligent work, they were able
to establish that the fire had been caused by an electrical fault in a matchstick that had been left on
a wooden escalator. To hold those responsible for their part in the disaster accountable, this
evidence was essential.
The police were crucial in finding the fire's perpetrators and prosecuting them. They collaborated
with the Crown Prosecution Service to develop a solid case against the people and organizations that
were thought to have contributed to the disaster. This involved gathering and examining evidence,
providing expert testimony, and putting forth legal arguments to back up their claims. The police's
efforts ultimately proved successful. As a result of the lessons learned from this tragedy, the safety
and security of the London Underground have significantly improved. The people and organizations
responsible for the King's Cross fire were held accountable for their roles in the disaster.
,Crime scene investigators (csi) :
• What does a crime scene investigator do
An individual tasked with processing and safeguarding evidence at crime scenes is known as a crime
scene investigator (CSI). They are essential in criminal investigations because they gather, examine,
and record data that can be used to solve crimes and compensate victims.
They are several responsibilities a crime scene investigator must carry out which are
• Securing the crime scene: A CSI's first action is to secure the crime scene and stop
any evidence from becoming contaminated. They mark off the area and restrict
access, ensuring that only people with permission can enter.
• Documenting the scene: Taking pictures and videos of the crime scene to record the
overall appearance and any important details is the next step in documenting the
scene. Along with measuring the scene and marking the locations of the evidence,
they also sketch it out in great detail.
• Collecting evidence: The CSI then begins to gather evidence after photographing the
scene. In addition to other materials like weapons, drugs, or chemicals, this may also
include tangible evidence like fingerprints, fibers, hair, and blood. To gather the
evidence without tampering with it, they employ specialized methods and tools like
brushes and swabs.
• Preserving evidence: The CSI must properly preserve the evidence after it has been
gathered. This may entail storing the evidence in a safe environment, labeling the
containers with the date, time, and location of the evidence, and packaging the
evidence in non-contaminating containers.
• Analysing evidence: Following its preservation, evidence may be examined by the
CSI to ascertain its relevance to the case. This could entail performing chemical tests
on the evidence, examining it under a microscope, or contrasting it with accepted
norms.
• Presenting evidence: Lastly, the CSI may be asked to present the evidence in court.
They must be able to succinctly and clearly explain their methodology and findings,
and they must be ready to respond to the judge's and the attorneys' inquiries.
• What were the role of police in the king cross fire, their impact and how they solved
the fire
When the CSIs first arrived, they conducted a preliminary inspection of the fire scene. They took
note of the fire's location, the damage it caused, and any potential dangers. Determine the scope of
the investigation and the resources that will be needed by using the initial assessment. The process
of gathering evidence was then started by the CSIs. They meticulously captured the scene on film
and gathered samples of the physical evidence, such as charred wood, burned-out objects, and
anything else that might reveal details about the fire's origin. In addition, they gathered and handled
any tangible objects that were important, like the victims' personal effects. After being gathered, the
,evidence underwent a laboratory setting for analysis. In order to examine the evidence and ascertain
its make-up, the CSIs employed a number of methods, such as microscopy, spectroscopy, and
chemical analysis. They were able to prove that the fire was started by a discarded match that lit up
flammable material in a stairwell through their meticulous collection and analysis of evidence. This
information was vital in figuring out the series of circumstances that resulted in the fire and in
identifying the tragedy's root cause. Due to the fact that it demonstrated negligence on the part of
the building's owners and management, this information was essential in identifying the offenders
and prosecuting them. The work of the CSIs was utilized in the prosecution of the fire's setters. It
was crucial in obtaining convictions for the fire's perpetrators that the evidence gathered and
examined by the CSIs be presented in court.
The closure the CSIs were able to give the victims' families was one of the most important impact of
their work. The evidence gathered and analyzed by the CSIs helped the families understand the
circumstances that led to the fire and provided them with the answers they had been seeking about
what had happened to their loved ones. The families were able to start the healing process thanks to
the CSIs' work and felt some measure of comfort. The King's Cross fire served as a wake-up call for
the general public and raised awareness of the value of fire safety in public places. The investigation
into the fire and the subsequent legal action against those found to be at fault for it raised
awareness of the risks associated with inadequate fire safety and resulted in modifications to
building codes and regulations that increased everyone's safety in public areas. The work of the CSIs
was essential to this process because their data was essential in proving the need for change and
guaranteeing that those accountable were held to account.
One of the first significant uses of forensic science in a large-scale UK investigation was in the King's
Cross fire, and the CSIs' work contributed to the development of the discipline. The investigation's
success served to highlight the value of forensic science in criminal investigations and to position the
discipline as a vital tool for law enforcement. Other law enforcement agencies widely acknowledged
and adopted the methods and procedures used by the CSIs in the King's Cross fire investigation,
which sparked further developments in the field. The King's Cross fire investigation's CSI work aided
in regaining public confidence in the legal system. The meticulous investigation and prosecution of
the guilty parties showed how committed law enforcement was to getting to the bottom of the
matter and holding those responsible accountable. This strengthened the significance of using
scientific methods in criminal investigations and helped to boost public confidence in the criminal
justice system.
Specialist dog unit
• What do the do
The Specialist Dog Unit (SDU), a highly trained and specialised unit of police enforcement, uses
trained dogs to assist with a range of activities. These responsibilities include discovering evidence,
hunting for contraband, and locating suspects. Even though the employment of dogs in law
enforcement is still relatively new, investigators have found it to be a helpful and effective tool.
They are several responsibilities the special dog unit must carry out which are
• Evidence Search: One of the SDU's primary jobs is to find evidence. The canines are
taught to sniff out certain odours, such as blood at crime scenes or the accelerants
used in cases of arson. By doing this, detectives might have a better chance of
discovering and compiling information that might be crucial to a case. The canines'
independence from a leash allows them to cover enormous areas swiftly and
effectively.
, • Suspect Tracking: The SDU's capacity to trace suspects is a key duty. The fact that
the dogs are taught to follow a specific scent, like the scent of a suspect, allows
them to cover enormous distances. When a suspect has escaped the scene of a
crime and needs to be promptly located, this can be especially helpful. The canines
are also trained to catch suspects if required, protecting the public from additional
harm.
• Public Demonstrations: The SDU routinely takes part in public demonstrations to
highlight the advantages of the unit and highlight the skills of the dogs. Tracking,
looking for traces of evidence, and showing the dogs' obedience and agility may all
be included in these presentations.
• Detection of Contraband: the SDU has been taught to recognise contraband such as
drugs, explosives, and weapons. The canines' training allows them to distinguish
between different odours and locate objects that a human eye might overlook. Law
enforcement may find this to be helpful while checking homes, cars, and other
locations.
• Training: The most crucial element of the SDU is training, for both the dogs and their
handlers. The canines start receiving extensive training at a young age to get them
ready for the demands of the work. Additionally, the handlers receive training in a
range of dog handling abilities, including tracking, obedience, and search techniques.
• What were the role of special dog unit in the king cross fire, their impact and how
they solved the fire
One of the SDU's primary responsibilities in the King's Cross fire was the search for evidence.
The dogs were trained to detect specific scents, such as blood at crime scenes or accelerants
used in arson cases. This enabled the investigators to locate and collect important case-
relevant evidence. The dogs' off-leash training allows them to cover large areas quickly and
effortlessly. The primary responsibility of the SDU was to look for accelerants, which are
substances used to start and spread fires. Because the dogs had been trained to recognise
specific scents associated with accelerants, they were able to find evidence that aided in
determining the cause of the fire. In this case, the use of dogs was especially beneficial
because accelerants can be difficult to detect using traditional investigative techniques.
Another task that the SDU assisted with was identifying the fire victims. Because of their
training, the dogs were able to locate bodies that would otherwise have been difficult to
locate. Because of this, the investigators were able to count the casualties and identify the
victims. Tracking was also done by the SDU. The dogs, which had been trained to track
specific scents, were used to track the movements of potential fire-related suspects. This
information aided the investigation into the cause of the fire and any potential suspects. The
SDU supported the firefighters who were responding to the fire in addition to their role as
investigators. The dogs were used by the firefighters to search for victims who might be
trapped or injured, which helped them decide how to attack the fire most effectively.
Because of the dogs' ability to recognise specific scents, firefighters were able to locate and
contain the fire.
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