What it concerns ^
It concerns the investigation of acts arising from intent or negligence and relating to commonly dangerous offences, natural disasters and accidental events. Taken together, these constitute the subject matter of this sector of our company, as analyzed in the following sections.
Fields of Application ^
A. At the stage of preparing a study, we proceed with:
- Recording the building installations and the equipment contained in them.
- Describing and locating the hazards.
- Assessing the level of risk.
- Proposing fire-protection and fire-safety measures.
- Determining the readiness of the existing protection and the manner of response and intervention.
- Submitting proposals for improvement of the existing protection.
B. At the stage of examining the place where an incident occurred, such as FIRE, ARSON, EXPLOSION, MECHANICAL FAILURE, ELECTRICAL FAILURE, SHORT CIRCUIT, FLOOD and other related incidents,
a. we perform:
- Detailed examination at the scene of the incident.
- Determination and location of the initial point of origin, isolation of that point, preservation of evidence and search for mechanisms.
- Determination of the cause and of the possible method of action.
- Collection of samples for analysis.
- Determination of the damage.
- Cooperation with the competent authorities.
- Research and cooperation with other sources, manufacturers and similar entities.
- Analysis of the use of the premises and of the equipment.
- Determination and characterization of the crime of arson in relation to the intent of the offender or responsible person, namely negligence or intent.
- Analysis of the technical characteristics.
- Analysis for the confirmation or exclusion of an accidental event.
- Calculation of the value of the building installations and of their contents before the incident occurred.
- Analysis, interpretation, documentation and presentation of the results.
b. More specifically, in addition to the above, we carry out:
- Identification of the approach route and escape route of a possible offender.
- Determination of the direction of the fire or flood and of the manner of its spread.
- Analysis of the conditions that existed before, during and after the incident in the place where it occurred.
- Investigation for the ascertainment and documentation of possible motives.
- Checking the existence, operation and performance of existing measures and means either of fire safety and fire protection or of flood protection.
- Checking the relationships of natural persons and machines with the place of the incident and with its cause.
- Participation of natural persons during firefighting or flood response, as a reason for lifting the imposition of penalties.
- Laboratory investigations of incendiary or explosive mechanisms, their connections and their methodology of action.
c. At the stage following the occurrence of the incident, we perform:
- Assessment of the value that was saved.
- Assessment of the damage.
- Evaluation of restoration offers.
- Support of the case by appearance before the competent courts.
Examinations Performed ^
By applying scientific and technical methods that are internationally recognized, scientifically documented and admissible before courts, we carry out expert reports, technical reports, vulnerability studies for premises and installations, and studies in various other fields such as forest areas, vehicles, ships and similar subjects, in relation to acts of arson, and we conduct laboratory and other examinations in order to:
- Investigate crimes of arson, explosions, floods and related incidents.
- Determine and propose the best and most suitable solutions for taking fire-protection and fire-safety measures and means in high-risk areas, for the protection of persons, property and the environment.
Scene Inspection - Assessment - Utilization ^
In addition, we carry out:
- Scene inspection at the place where a fire, arson, explosion or flood took place, in order to determine factual circumstances such as: the prevailing conditions, the causes, the damage, the conditions in the incident area, the conditions in the surrounding area, the discovery of traces originating from fire or explosion such as flammable materials or an explosive device, and the assessment of the amount of damage.
- Mechanical and urban-planning inspection of the installations of the place where the fire or explosion occurred, in order to determine the causes that contributed to the final result and the possibility of future exploitation or use.
- Evaluation of reports and examinations by state authorities and other specialists.
- Utilization of evidence requiring further examination, by indicating points for additional analysis, documentation and presentation, and by locating points for which examination or exploitation was possible but no corresponding request was submitted.
Studies - Training ^
Furthermore, we proceed with:
- Preparation of studies with submission of proposals concerning the adoption of special safety measures, preventive and suppressive, and the procurement of special equipment for protection against fires and explosions. These studies and proposals mainly concern bodies such as state services and private-sector or broader public-sector enterprises and are adapted to the requirements of each body.
- Preparation of special educational programs and informational seminars for protection against the above incidents, adapted to the requirements of each body.
- Quality control of the available equipment, for example firefighting equipment and similar means.
Indicative questions that may be raised, depending on the case under examination ^
- What is the initial seat of the fire?
- What is the cause of the fire, explosion or flood?
- Is the fire due to natural causes, accidental causes, negligence or intent?
- If the incident is due to negligence, what exactly is the culpable act or omission and which natural person is directly connected with it, such as short circuit, overheating and ignition, smoking residues, naked flames, children playing and similar causes?
- If the incident is due to intent, what is the incendiary mechanism, the method of action of the arsonists and the materials used?
- What are the motives, such as professional, labor, property or other disputes, financial or tax inspection of the business and similar issues?
- Are the materials and the mechanism used characterized as incendiary or explosive, and why?
- What is the amount of material damage, deterioration and overall financial harm?
- What is the relationship between the act and the result?
