Developed by a multi-agency team led by the University of Dundee the new code is backed by the Chief Fire Officers Association, the Institution of Fire Engineers and the UK Association of Fire Investigators.
The code, which was presented at the Scottish Fire Symposium at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters and Training Centre in Glasgow on 16 May, provides professional guidance for practitioners tasked with examining incidents where a crime is suspected. The guidance is aimed at all such practitioners regardless of which agency they represent.
The new code sets out to establish clear standards to aid in the gathering and examination of evidence in any investigation. Expert witnesses in criminal cases are now required to declare adherence to the code of practice.
“This Code of Practice provides significant clarity as to what can reasonably be expected of those who investigate fires and is another significant step towards providing consistency and improved quality in this area,” said Lee Howell, independent chairman of the Arson Prevention Forum.
“Arson remains one of the most difficult crimes to prosecute and improved investigation will undoubtedly assist to reduce the significant cost and consequence that Arson presents.”
Professor Niamh Nic Daeid of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee chaired the multi-agency team that formulated the code of practice. “The importance of this document cannot be underestimated,” he said.
“It has taken six years to prepare as we consulted with the community of practitioners from across the UK and beyond to make sure that we represented their views of where they wanted their profession to aspire to in terms of competence, expertise and practice.
“The code will bring a standardised approach across the fire investigation sector in terms of good practice and understanding the obligations of being expert witnesses to the courts.”
Dr Nick Carey, the President of the UK Association of Fire Investigators (UK-AFI), said: “The UK-AFI is delighted to support the Code of Practice. Several of our members were involved with the preparation of the document and a large number of members provided valuable feedback during the consultation process. The document will provide valuable generic and UK specific guidance to fire investigators.”
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