Arson Flashcards
what is an incendiary fire?
A fire that was intentionally set by someone. (1.2.2)
When is a fire considered suspicious?
a fire is suspicious if:
a. there are indications the fire may have been set and all accidental causes have not been eliminated.
b. a threat preceded the fire
c. it is one in a series of fires
d. premises normally locked found unlocked
e. stocks or belongings were removed prior to the fire
(1. 2.3)
what are trailers?
materials arranged to spread fire from its point of origin to other areas of occupancy.(cotton waste, rags, paper, etc.)(1.2.4)
what are plants?
materials arranged to start and feed initial fire.(candles,matches,electrical,mechanical,chemicals and others)(1.2.5)
as a n officer at a fire you begin to record information received from occupants and witnesses. realizing one witness might be holding back info you pull the witness to the side and begin interrogating him. did you follow procedures?
NO. Don’t interrogate! let the person talk freely. Get names and addresses if possible. look,listen and get all possible vital information for your report and the fire marshal. No one but a trained and experienced investigator should attempt to interrogate a witness.(3.20 & 3.21)
after fire has been extinguished you come across a body(10-45 code 1). what should you do?
when and where possible, and fire conditions permit, do not move the body. pending arrival of the fire marshal and medical examiner. take note of possible reasons why person could not escape from the room.(4.2.1)
you come across a victim that appears to be life-like(pink to cherry red color lips, eyelids, or skin) what does this indicate?
-victim was alive at the time of the fire. victims may show soot in or around the nose and mouth(indicates breathing continued during fire)(4.4)
lividity is caused by the setting of blood to the lowest horizontal areas of the body; may show as pink or red skin. lividity usually starts___a___ after death and is completed ____b_____ and could indicate that the victim was moved after death and placed at the fire scene.
A- one to two hours
B- three to four hours
4.5
you come across a victim who’s skull appears to have exploded. From your studying with your study group you should know what about this appearance?
It was caused by the expansion of fluid in the tissues. This should not be confused with external damage from a blow to the head since external damage could cause the skull to be forced inward.(4.6)
A pugilistic position(appears as person was trying to defend himself) indicates what?
it does not indicate violence or a struggle. This is due to the contraction of the muscles that occur during the fire. Severe muscular contraction may result in bones protruding through skin of the limbs(4.6)
what is considered sufficient manpower to fulfill a watch line function and establish fire dept. control of the premise?
one firefighter with a hand extinguisher(5.1.1)
what shall be done to safe guard the firefighter doing watch line and provide additional security?
a request for assistance should be made to the PD Do not leave only the patrolmen in charge(5.1.2)
when can firefighter on watch line return to his unit?
when fire marshal arrives(5.1.3)
- what is the preferred container to be used to collect evidence?
- what if a new can is not available to collect evidence, what can be used?
- a one gallon metal can such as a new paint can.(NEVER use a can that was previously used)(5.3.1)
- use a clean glass jar with a tightly fitting lid. the rubber seal around lid may react with sample and contaminate the evidence.(5.3.2)
When collecting evidence what kind of containers should you avoid to use?
avoid the use of plastic containers. vapors may escape through plastic and evidence may be contaminated by deterioration of the plastic container (5.5.3)
