11. Both the police and the fire service provide general training in the techniques of fire investigation; the Forensic Science Service participates in this training and in courses run by the Fire Service College in which both police and fire officers participate. Sound training in fire investigation methodology and techniques is crucial to the long-term prospects of reducing the fires which are started deliberately. The training emphasises that the primary task of the fire officer is to investigate the cause of the fire and to assist the police by providing them with information and evidence about the origins of the fire.

12. It is the responsibility of the police to collate all the information that comes to light, to collect and maintain the integrity of recovered evidence, to take appropriate measures in co-operation with the fire officer to preserve the scene of the fire and to decide in each case whether to call in the Forensic Science Service.

13. It is a matter of judgement by the police on which cases they should seek the assistance of the Forensic Science Service. There are no hard and fast rules although it should be clearly understood that it is unrealistic to proceed on the basis that training courses for fire or police officers can provide a level of qualified scientific expertise equal to that possessed by a forensic scientist; in particular such training does not equip fire or police officers to give interpretative scientific evidence in court as "expert" witnesses and they should not seek to give, or be drawn into giving, such evidence. The giving of evidence by fire or police officers should normally be restricted to "factual" evidence.

14. Many fire and police officers, however, have gained considerable knowledge as a result of their work, and it may occasionally be appropriate for them to give evidence based on fact and experience; but where they do so they should make it clear to the court what they are doing and they should explicitly disclaim that they are giving "expert" evidence of an interpretative nature.