Over the past few weeks, several fires have been reported in the Hérault department, mobilising numerous firefighters from SDIS 34 and officers from the National Gendarmerie.
The Technical Investigation Unit (CTRC) comprises around 70 gendarmes, firefighters and officers from the Departmental Directorate for Territories and the Sea, as well as the National Forestry Office (ONF). It is regularly called upon by the head of the investigation to determine the cause of the fires, identify the point of origin and assess whether the spread of the fire corresponds to what has been observed.
By pooling the technical expertise of these various stakeholders, the CTRC seeks to identify evidence that will help determine whether forest fires were started deliberately or accidentally. This evidence assists in the resolution of criminal investigations.
Established in the Hérault in 2009, this technical unit is led and co-ordinated by the departmental prefect. It comprises six gendarmes specialising in forensic identification (TIC), as well as 30 community-based TIC officers within the various gendarmerie brigades. If you notice anything suspicious or observe any suspicious behaviour, please do not hesitate to dial ‘17’.