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Basics of Fire Cause Investigation Flashcards

1
Q

What are the 3 reasons why we investigate fires?

A

It is the law required by international fire code
To determine the unsafe products/procedures that may be causing/creating a danger to the community
To determine incendiary fires and investigate until the responsible party/s have been brought to prosecution

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2
Q

What is the definition of fire?

A

The rapid, self sustaining oxidation process usually accompanied by the evolution of heat and light in varying intensities

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3
Q

What is the fire tetrahedron?

A

O2
Fuel
Heat
Uninhibited chain reaction

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4
Q

What are the 3 methods of heat transfer on the power point?

A

Conduction
Convection
Radiation

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5
Q

What is conduction?

A

Heat transfer by direct contact of one body to another

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6
Q

What is convection?

A

Heat transfer by circulating medium

Can be gas or liquid

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7
Q

What form of heat transfer is most responsible for the spread of heat in structural fires?

A

Convection

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8
Q

What is radiation?

A

Heat transfer from one area to another without direct contact with the area and without any circulating hot gases to help “bathe” the area in heat
It’s in the form of energy which travels through space or materials as waves

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9
Q

What is flashover?

A

Contained fire where exposed surfaces simultaneously ignite from thermal radiation
Stage of fire when room or other area becomes heated to the point when flames flash over the entire area

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10
Q

What is backdraft?

A

An explosion or rapid burning of heated gases resulting from the introduction of O2 when air is admitted into a building heavily charged by smoke from a fire that has depleted O2 content of the building

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11
Q

What is the temperature range for the growth/incipient stage? O2 content?

A

300-600

21%

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12
Q

What is the temperature range for the free burning stage? O2 content?

A

1200-2000

18%

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13
Q

What is the temperature range for the smoldering stage? O2 content?

A

800-1000

13-15%

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14
Q

What are the 4 combustion by products listed on the powerpoint?

A

Fire gases
Heat
Flame
Smoke

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15
Q

What is the “point of origin”?

A

The place of the fire’s beginning

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16
Q

Normally, the fire cause will be found at…

A

At or very near the point of origin

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17
Q

Fires often burn ____ near the point of origin

A

Longer

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18
Q

Evidence of _____ is often recovered near the point of origin.

A

Incendiarism

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19
Q

Evidence of fire spread/direction of fire travel may be noted/confirmed after locating the ____ __ ___.

A

Point of origin

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20
Q

The point of origin may ___ or ____ the stories of owners/occupants/suspects

A

Confirm or contradict

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21
Q

Investigators must usually work ____ in relation to the fire’s travel or spread, working toward the point of origin.

A

Backwards

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22
Q

Fire cause investigation is commonly referred to as a ____ investigation

A

Backward

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23
Q

With fire cause investigation… what 2 things are you looking at on the exterior of the structure?

A

Note areas damaged by heat and smoke
Fire damage to building exterior

(Isn’t that the same thing? Whatever…)

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24
Q

Ceiling damage and floor damage may help to locate the ___ __ ___

A

Point of origin

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25
What might the lack of soot (carbon) in a heavily burned area indicate?
The area of origin
26
You can look at structural damage from fire as an indicator of...
Fire's travel
27
The depth of charring can be an indicator of travel and the point of origin. Fire penetrates into wood 1" every ___ minutes at approx ____ degrees F
45 minutes | 1400
28
What does light staining on glass objects indicate?
Limited fire or intense heat and/or rapid fire growth
29
What does heavy staining on glass objects indicate?
Slow fire build up or remote distance from point of origin
30
What is the exception with heavy staining on glass objects?
Heavy petroleum based fire load
31
What is the melting temp of aluminum?
1200F
32
What is the melting temp of copper?
2000F
33
What is the melting temp of window glass?
900F when exposed for 10 minutes
34
On the interior of a structure, ____ is necessary to properly determine the point of origin
Reconstruction
35
What are the 2 things listed on the power point under "reconstruction"?
Locating the proper position of items within the fire scene | Identification and use of "protected areas"
36
Reconstruction allows the investigator to do what 3 things?
Determine the lowest level of burning Determine V patterns Evaluate the fuel load and burning sequence within an area
37
What are the "three elements of fire" on the fire cause poiwer point?
Heat source Fuel An event which brings together the heat source and the fuel
38
What are the 4 sources of heat on the fire cause power point?
Chemical Electrical Mechanical Nuclear
39
What are the 4 sources of chemical heat?
Exothermic Endothermic Pyrolosis Solution
40
What are the 4 sources of electrical heat?
Resistance Induction Dialation Arcing/sparking
41
What are the 2 sources of mechanical heat?
Friction | Compression
42
What are the 2 sources of nuclear heat?
Explosion | Radiation
43
Accidental fires include what 4 things?
Acts of God Mechanical malfunctions Carelessness Stupidity
44
What are the 5 reasons why owners/occupants may misrepresent accidental fires?
May thing fire insurance will not pay off May be embarrassed Hope fire dept will find another cause Afraid of being charged for fire dept response Parents trying to cover for juveniles or children trying to cover for their parents
45
What are a BUNCH of examples of accidental fires?
``` Heating equipment Smoking Flammable liquids Spontaneous heating Fireworks/explosives Lightning Low temp ignition Cooking equipment Electrical equipment Open flames/sparks Gas fires/explosions Dust explosions Wildland fires ```
46
What are a BUNCH of indicators of incendiarism?
Multiple fires Flammable accelerants Structural damage prior to fire Absence of all accidental fire causes Removal of contents prior to fire Major appliances removed prior to the fire Absence of personal items/important papers Location of the fire Evidence of other crimes in the structure Unnatural Fire spread Excessive fire damage Extreme heat Entry of fire dept blocked View into structure blocked Injuries to occupants Inappropriate period of time between exit of occupant and fire Pre burned contents or second fire in same structure Presence of burned or unburned fuel near point of origin Fire occurring on holidays or weekends Fire during renovations
47
You cannot have an incendiary fire if you cannot eliminate all ____ ____
Accidental causes
48
Motive is sometimes confused with ____ which is the ____ of the act
Intent | Deliberateness
49
Motive is the ____ for setting a fire
Reason
50
Motive is not necessary to prove the ____ ____ of the fire
Corpus delicti
51
Investigating the _____ may help the investigator during interviews
Motive
52
The district attorney may decline to prosecute if the motive is....
Not clearly understood
53
Jurors may fail to find the accused guilty unless they...
Know/understand why the individual/s set the fire
54
What are the 7 basic motives?
``` Juvenile/valdalism Fraud/profit Vanity/hero Crime concealment Spite/revenge Civil disorders Pyromania ```
55
Juvenile/vandalism fires account for ___% of incendiary fires and ___% of all fires in the US
50% | 25%
56
Juvenile/vandalism fires do not include the "___ ___" fire setter
Fire play
57
What is the definition of fraud?
A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain
58
What are the 2 types of fraud fires?
Direct gain | Indirect gain
59
Why are vanity/hero fires especially dangerous?
The fire setter believes the situation is "under control"
60
Vanity/hero fire setter sets fires in order to...
Prove worth to employer, spouse, family, friends, self
61
What are 8 types of crime concealment?
``` Destruction of books/records Distraction for criminal activity Arson for escape Arson to conceal murder Murder/suicide by arson Crime to conceal arson (staged burglary) Drug addicts and arson ```
62
Spite/revenge is the most ___ type of fire
Deadly
63
Spite/revenge fires have the largest ___ ___ ___ and the largest ___ ___
Loss of life | Property loss
64
Spite/revenge fires are initiated by what 3 things?
Hatred Jealousy Uncontrolled emotions
65
Spite/revenge fires are commonly referred to as ____ ____
Lover's fire
66
Spite/revenge fire setters frequently do what 2 things to their fireground?
Disable fire protection systems | Blocks exiting
67
Civil disorder is when fire is used as a ____
Weapon
68
What are the 2 results of a civil disorder fire?
Destruction of property | Impression that group activity involves many people
69
Power of suggestion is the ____ ____
Snowball effect | I don't know what this means
70
What is the definition of pyromania?
The uncontrollable urge to start fires | May or may not be interconnected with sexual desires/gratifications
71
There has been very little ____ ____ in recent years when it comes to pyromania
Comprehensive research
72
What is the rarest of all 7 motive types?
Pyromania
73
What are 6 fire cause indicators before arrival?
``` Weather Time of day/day of week Barricades/obstructions to fire scene Color of smoke and flames Persons/vehicles leaving the scene Blacked out or boarded windows ```
74
What are a BUNCH of indicators of fire cause upon arrival?
``` Multiple fires in the same structure Condition of doors and windows Open file cabinets Open safe Missing/lack of stock Unusual odors Structural damage to assist spread Civilians who appear at multiple scenes Location of fire Plants and trailers Evidence/containers/unburned accelerant residue ```
75
What does the international fire code say about causes of fires?
The fire chief or his designate shall investigate the cause of all fires within the jurisdiction
76
ARS title 13 chapter 17 defines damage...
As any physical or visual impairment of any surface
77
What court does reckless burning go to?
City/civil court
78
What court does arson go to?
Superior court
79
What court does arson of federal property go to?
Federal court
80
To obtain an arson conviction, the prosecutor must be able to prove what 3 things?
There was a fire and damage occurred The accused is responsible for setting the fire The accused had intent to do harm
81
What does FIG mean?
Fire Incendiary Guilty
82
What is burden of proof for Civil? Criminal?
Preponderance of the evidence | Beyond a reasonable doubt
83
What are the 2 types of search warrants?
Administrative | Criminal
84
Security of the fire scene is the responsibility of...
Every fire fighter and begins the moment the fire dept arrives
85
What 4 amendments limit investigations?
4th 5th 6th 14th
86
What is the 4th amendment about?
Search and seizure
87
What is the 5th amendment about?
Cannot be compelled to incriminate against his/herself
88
What is the 6th amendment about?
Right to legal representation and a public and speedy trial
89
What is the 14th amendment about?
Due process applicable to all states
90
What is the plain view doctrine?
Officer must have legal authority to be where he/she is when the evidence is observed Evidence must be in plain sight
91
What are the 4 benchmark cases in fire cause investigation?
Tyler vs Michigan Clifford vs Michigan Miranda vs AZ Escobedo vs CA
92
What are the miranda rights?
Rights that a suspect must be informed of in certain situations
93
When must an officer inform a suspect of their miranda rights?
When the suspect is put into custodial care AND the officer intends to question the suspect
94
What are the 4 TFD guidelines for fire cause?
Keep your sup. informed of things you see/hear Stay alert/observant Don't say arson over the radio Avoid giving detailed info of investigation over the radio

TFD BC (26 decks)

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