Fire Investigation Quiz and Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the NFPA regulation on fire and explosive investigation?

NFPA 921

What is the scientific method?

A seven step process to test one or more hypotheses against the evidence collected during the investigation.

What are fire effects?

Observable changes found on objects, surfaces, and construction materials as a result of heat, flame, smoke, and other production of combustion.

What are fire patterns?

Patterns which show the relative degree of fire exposure times and temperatures of the affected objects. Signup and view all the answers

What is depth of char?

A fire effect that was once believed to indicate exactly how long a material was exposed to fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is a competent ignition source?

The ignition source that has enough energy that is capable of transferring enough heat to the first fuel source long enough to cause combustion. Signup and view all the answers

How do fire investigators determine fire cause?

Identification of the ignition source, identifying the first fuel ignited, identify the oxidizing agent used, determine the ignition sequence, assess the level of certainty in the hypothesis. Signup and view all the answers

What are the four classifications of fire cause?

Accidental, Natural, Incendiary, Undetermined. Signup and view all the answers

What makes a fire undetermined?

A fire which lacks more than 50% certainty in its hypothesis, must be classified as Undetermined. Signup and view all the answers

What are the six types of evidence?

Physical evidence, Demonstrative evidence, Documentary evidence, Testimonial evidence, Direct evidence, Circumstantial evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What is a serial arsonist?

A person who sets three or more fires in succession with an emotional 'cooling-off' period between each fire. Signup and view all the answers

What is a spree arsonist?

A person who sets three or more fires in separate locations with no lengthy cooling-off period. Signup and view all the answers

What is a mass arsonist?

A person who sets three or more fires at or near the same location during a limited time period. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of youth firesetters and their ages?

Child firesetter (2-6), Juvenile firesetter (7-13), Adolescent firesetter (14-16). Signup and view all the answers

Where do child firesetters typically light fires?

Hidden locations: Closets, basements, garages. Signup and view all the answers

Where do juvenile firesetters light fires?

At their homes or schools. Signup and view all the answers

Where do adolescent firesetters light fires?

Schools, churches, outbuildings, vacant homes, and vacant lots. Signup and view all the answers

What are the six motivations for arson?

Vandalism, excitement, revenge, crime concealment, profit, extremism. Signup and view all the answers

Why should firefighters understand the basic principles of fire investigation?

It will help them to observe and preserve evidence. Signup and view all the answers

Who usually performs fire investigation?

An individual trained to meet the requirements of the applicable NFPA standard. Signup and view all the answers

Which is part of the primary purpose of fire investigation?

To determine the sequence of events. Signup and view all the answers

Which police powers do fire investigators have?

It varies by jurisdiction. Signup and view all the answers

Which federal agency makes individual agents available to assist local jurisdictions with fire investigations?

ATF. Signup and view all the answers

Which is one of the four classifications of fire cause?

Natural. Signup and view all the answers

Which court case ruled on the need for warrants in fire investigation?

Michigan v. Tyler. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for an ignition source that has enough heat energy to ignite the fuel and remains in contact with it long enough to cause ignition?

Competent. Signup and view all the answers

A pot left unattended on a stove that catches fire is an example of an act of?

Accidental. Signup and view all the answers

Which is the process used in fire investigation to determine if and where electrical circuits were energized at the time of the fire?

Arc mapping. Signup and view all the answers

The scientific method recommended by the NFPA for determining cause and origin consists of _______ steps.

seven. Signup and view all the answers

Which is the fourth step in the NFPA's scientific method for determining cause and origin?

Develop hypotheses. Signup and view all the answers

Which NFPA standard establishes job performance requirements for fire investigators?

NFPA 1033. Signup and view all the answers

Where does the fire investigation process usually begin?

Exterior. Signup and view all the answers

Which pattern of char on a wall suggests that the fire spread upward from the base?

V. Signup and view all the answers

Which term means the process of carefully looking for evidence in the debris following a fire?

Digging out. Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to all of the information gathered and used by an investigator in determining the cause of a fire?

Evidence. Signup and view all the answers

Which kind of evidence is used to validate a theory or show how something could have occurred?

Demonstrative. Signup and view all the answers

Which kind of evidence includes facts that can be observed or reported firsthand?

Direct. Signup and view all the answers

Ideally, when should overhaul operations begin?

After the fire investigator has examined the scene. Signup and view all the answers

In general, what is the primary responsibility of firefighters in fire investigation?

Preservation of evidence. Signup and view all the answers

Who has the legal responsibility to determine the cause of fire in most jurisdictions?

Fire chief. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fire Investigation Regulations and Principles

NFPA 921 guides fire and explosive investigations, providing recognized standards and methods.
The scientific method comprises seven steps for testing hypotheses against collected evidence.

Fire Characteristics

Fire Effects: Observable changes in materials due to heat, flame, and smoke.
Fire Patterns: Indicate the duration and temperature variations experienced by objects.
Depth of Char: Once thought to measure exposure time to fire, now viewed as less definitive.

Ignition Sources and Fire Causes

A Competent Ignition Source has sufficient energy to ignite the first fuel source effectively.
Identifying fire causes involves determining the ignition source, the first fuel ignited, the oxidizing agent, and the ignition sequence.
Four classifications of fire cause are Accidental, Natural, Incendiary, and Undetermined.
A fire is classified as Undetermined when certainty in the hypothesis falls below 50%.

Types of Evidence in Investigations

Six evidence types include Physical, Demonstrative, Documentary, Testimonial, Direct, and Circumstantial evidence.

Arson Types

Serial Arsonist: Sets three or more fires with emotional pauses in between.
Spree Arsonist: Sets multiple fires in various locations without significant cooling-off periods.
Mass Arsonist: Ignites several fires at or near the same site within a short timeframe.

Youth Firesetters

Youth firesetters are categorized into three age groups:
- Child (ages 2-6)
- Juvenile (ages 7-13)
- Adolescent (ages 14-16).
Child firesetters typically light fires in hidden areas, while juvenile firesetters often target homes or schools. Adolescent firesetters usually choose broader public spaces.

Motivations for Arson

Key motivations include vandalism, excitement, revenge, crime concealment, profit, and extremism.

Role of Firefighters in Investigations

Firefighters should understand investigation principles to effectively observe and preserve evidence.
Fire investigations are typically conducted by individuals trained according to NFPA standards, often under the fire chief's legal authority.

Investigative Techniques and Court Decisions

Arc Mapping is a technique used to determine electrical circuit activity during a fire.
The Michigan v. Tyler case is pivotal for establishing the need for warrants in fire investigations.

Evidence Collection and Analysis

Observing physical evidence is crucial, and demonstrative evidence can clarify theories.
Direct evidence includes firsthand accounts and observations crucial for validation.
Overhaul operations should commence only after the fire investigator has assessed the scene to avoid disrupting evidence.

Fire Investigation Sequence

The investigation begins externally, with the V-shaped char pattern indicating upward fire spread from the base.
Evidence gathering is vital, and the complexity of the fire scene can require detailed examination techniques like "digging out" to uncover hidden evidence.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on fire investigation topics with these flashcards from Chapter 28. Learn about NFPA regulations, the scientific method in fire investigations, and the effects of fire on materials. Perfect for fire safety and investigation studies.

Fire Origin and Cause Chapter 28