Chapter 28 Fire Origin and Cause

Question 1

Fires for which the cause does not involve a human act with the intent to ignite or spread a fire.

Answer 1

Accidental fire

Question 2

Firesetters who are typically 14 to 16 years old and may exhibit serious emotional or psychological symptoms such as extreme stress or anger. Target buildings include schools, churches, outbuildings, vacant homes, and vacant lots.

Answer 2

Adolescent firesetters

Question 3

The systematic evaluation of the electrical circuit configuration, spatial relationship of the circuit components, and identification of electrical arc sites to assist in the identification of the area of origin and analysis of the fire’s spread.

Answer 3

Arc mapping

Question 4

The crime of maliciously and intentionally, or recklessly, starting a fire or causing an explosion.

Answer 4

Arson

Question 5

Laws that generally require private investigators to provide information regarding possible criminal activity upon the written request of the authority having jurisdiction. These laws also provide immunity from liability for disclosing such information as provided for by the law.

Answer 5

Arson reporting immunity laws

Question 6

The trail of accountability that documents the possession of evidence in an investigation.

Answer 6

Child firesetters

Question 7

Evidence that is based on logical inference rather than personal observation.

Answer 7

Circumstantial evidence

Question 8

An ignition source that has sufficient energy and is capable of transferring that energy to the fuel long enough to raise the fuel to its ignition temperature.

Answer 8

Competent ignition source

Question 9

Any type of tangible evidence relevant to a case, such as diagrams, photographs, maps, x-rays, visible tests, and demonstrations.

Answer 9

Demonstrative evidence

Question 10

A fire effect that, when evaluated as a pattern on identical fuels, may be used to determine locations within a structure that were exposed longest to a heat source.

Answer 10

Depth of char

Question 11

An investigation that uses the methodical deconstruction of evidence to determine specific component conditions, functionality, or failures as they relate to fire investigation.

Answer 11

Destructive analysis investigation

Question 12

Testimony of witnesses who observe acts or detect something through their five senses or through surveillance equipment such as CCTV.

Answer 12

Direct evidence

Question 13

Any type of written record or document that is relevant to the case.

Answer 13

Documentary evidence

Question 14

A legal condition that allows emergency service providers to enter, search, seize, and control private property and to investigate the cause of a fire without consent or warrant while in the lawful performance of emergency operations.

Answer 14

Exigent circumstances rule

Question 15

Any preconceived determination or premature conclusions as to the cause of a fire without having examined or considered all relevant evidence.

Answer 15

Expectation bias

Question 16

The observable or measurable changes in or on a material as a result of a fire.

Answer 16

Fire effects

Question 17

The visible or measurable physical changes, or identifiable shapes, formed by a fire effect or group of fire effects.

Answer 17

Fire patterns

Question 18

Any liquid or the liquid phase of any material that is capable of fueling a fire, including a flammable liquid, combustible liquid, or any other material that can be liquified and burned.

Answer 18

Ignitable liquid

Question 19

A device or mechanism used to initiate an incendiary fire or explosion.

Answer 19

Incendiary device

Question 20

A fire that is intentionally ignited in an area or under circumstances where and when there should not be a fire.

Answer 20

Incendiary fire

Question 21

Firesetters who are typically 7 to 13 years old and often suffer from emotional or psychological problems. ________ ___________ often ignite fires in or around their own homes or schools.

Answer 21

Juvenile firesetters

Question 22

A person who sets three or more fires at the same site or location during a limited period of time.

Answer 22

Mass arsonist

Question 23

A fire caused without direct human intervention or action, such as fire resulting from lightning, an earthquake, or wind.

Answer 23

Natural fire

Question 24

A physical or tangible item that proves or disproves a particular fact or issue; also referred to as real evidence.

Answer 24

Physical evidence

Question 25

The exact physical location within the area of origin where a heat source and a fuel first interact, resulting in a fire or explosion.

Answer 25

Point of origin

Question 26

A legal authority based on the Tenth Amendment that grants state (and local) authorities the authority to establish and enforce laws protecting the greater good of the community.

Answer 26

Police powers

Question 27

A hypothesis determined to have less than 50% probability of being true.

Answer 27

Possible cause

Question 28

A hypothesis determined to have greater than 50% probability of being true.

Answer 28

Probable cause

Question 29

The systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and definition of a problem; the collection of data through observation and experimentation; analysis of the data; the formulation, evaluation, and testing of hypotheses; and, where possible, the selection of a final hypothesis.

Answer 29

Scientific method

Question 30

A person who sets three or more fires with a cooling-off period between fires.

Answer 30

Serial arsonist

Question 31

Loss, destruction, or material alteration of an object or document that is evidence or potential evidence in a legal proceeding by one who has the responsibility for its preservation.

Answer 31

Spoliation

Question 32

A person who sets three or more fires at separate locations with no emotional cooling-off period between fires.

Answer 32

Spree arsonist

Question 33

Verbal testimony of a witness given under oath in court or during specific legal proceedings.

Answer 33

Testimonial evidence

Question 34

Solid or liquid fuel used to intentionally spread or accelerate the spread of a fire from one area to another.

Answer 34

Trailers

Question 35

A classification of fire when the cause cannot be proven to an acceptable level of certainty.

Answer 35

Undetermined fire

Question 36

Recognized classifications of minors who ignite fires for various reasons. Based on age and specific psychological characteristics, youth firesetters include child firesetters, juvenile firesetters, and adolescent firesetters.

Answer 36

Youth firesetters

Question 37

In most jurisdictions, the _______ determines the cause of a fire. A. law enforcement agency B. chief of the fire department C. property owner D. fire investigator

Answer 37

B. chief of the fire department

Question 38

An arson investigation must determine not only who was responsible for starting the fire, but also A. why the person started the fire. B. when the person started the fire. C. the property damage caused by the fire. D. the cause and origin of the fire.

Answer 38

D. the cause and origin of the fire.

Question 39

The cause of a fire can be classified as either incendiary or A. malicious intent. B. criminal intent. C. undetermined. D. accidental.

Answer 39

D. accidental.

Question 40

Most fires, fire deaths, and injuries occur in A. residential occupancies. B. industrial settings. C. small businesses. D. gas or fueling stations.

Answer 40

A. residential occupancies.

Question 41

One of the first steps in a fire investigation is identifying the A. fuel supply. B. accelerants. C. point of origin. D. evidence.

Answer 41

C. point of origin.

Question 42

A charred V-pattern on a wall indicates that fire spread A. along the floor before reaching the wall. B. up and out from an unknown material at the base of the V C. along the ceiling before reaching the wall. D. slowly.

Answer 42

B. up and out from an unknown material at the base of the V

Question 43

An inverted V-pattern on a wall indicates that A. a flammable liquid was used to start the fire. B. there was a wide point of origin for the fire. C. the fire began on the ceiling. D. there was a flashover.

Answer 43

A. a flammable liquid was used to start the fire.

Question 44

The process of carefully looking for evidence within the debris is refer red to as A. layering. B. overhaul. C. evidence recovery. D. digging out.

Answer 44

D. digging out.

Question 45

Which type of evidence can be used to prove a theory, based on facts that were observed first-hand? A. Demonstrative evidence B. Trace evidence C. Circumstantial evidence D. Physical evidence

Answer 45

C. Circumstantial evidence

Question 46

"Chain of custody" is a legal term that describes the process of maintaining continuous possession and control of evidence from A. the time it is discovered until it is presented m court. B. investigator to incident commander. C. investigator to law enforcement agency. D. discovery to isolation.

Answer 46

A. the time it is discovered until it is presented m court.

Question 47

If a fire intensifies in a short period of time, it may indicate A. poor dispatch information. B. the use of an accelerant. C. extreme weather conditions. D. multiple points of origin.

Answer 47

B. the use of an accelerant.

Question 48

An accelerant may have been used if the fire _______ when water is applied. A. spreads B. grows C. is extinguished D. rekindles

Answer 48

D. rekindles

Question 49

What might charring on the underside of a low horizontal surface, such as a tabletop, indicate? A. The fire's point of origin was on top of the surface. B. The fire was accidental. C. There was a pool of a flammable liquid. D. The fire started from a cigarette butt.

Answer 49

C. There was a pool of a flammable liquid.

Question 50

The fire department's authority over an incident ends when A. the property is formally released to the property owner. B. the property is under the investigator's supervision. C. any criminal or malicious intent regarding the fire's origin is ruled out. D. the property is secured and no hazards to public safety exist.

Answer 50

A. the property is formally released to the property owner.

Question 51

Which of the following terms is used to describe a device or mechanism that is used to start a fire? A. Arsonist device B. Incendiary device C. Accelerant D. Trailer

Answer 51

B. Incendiary device

Question 52

A pyromaniac is a pathological fire-setter who is often a(n) A. juvenile male. B. adolescent female. C. adult female. D. adult male.

Answer 52

D. adult male.

Question 53

Preadolescent male fi re-starters are most often motivated to start fires by A. a need for attention. B. curiosity. C. revenge. D. excitement.

Answer 53

C. revenge.

Question 54

An arsonist who sets three or more fires at separate locations with no emotional cooling-off period between fires is called a A. spree arsonist. B. serial arsonist. C. mass arsonist. D. motivated arsonist.

Answer 54

A. spree arsonist.

Question 55

An arsonist who sets three or more fires, with a cooling-off period between fires, is called a A. spree arsonist. B. serial arsonist. C. mass arsonist. D. motivated arsonist.

Answer 55

B. serial arsonist.

Question 56

An arsonist who sets three or more fires at the same site or location during a limited period of time is called a A. spree arsonist. B. serial arsonist. C. mass arsonist. D. motivated arsonist.

Answer 56

C. mass arsonist.

Question 57

Insurance companies often investigate fires to determine the _______ of a claim.

Answer 57

validity

Question 58

A fire investigation can provide many ______, even if the specific cause and origin are never determined.

Answer 58

lessons

Question 59

At the point or origin, an ignition source comes into contact with a(n) __________.

Answer 59

fuel supply

Question 60

The fire investigation process usually begins with an examination or the building's __________.

Answer 60

exterior

Question 61

Smoke residue and _______ patterns can be helpful in identifying the point or origin.

Answer 61

burn

Question 62

Anything that can be used to validate a theory is ____ __ evidence.

Answer 62

demonstrative

Question 63

Evidence should not be ______ or altered from its original state in any way.

Answer 63

contaminated

Question 64

Until the fire is under control, fire fighters must concentrate on fighting the fire and ________ investigating the cause.

Answer 64

not

Question 65

What a fire fighter _______ during an incident could be significant in an investigation of an incident.

Answer 65

observes

Question 66

The ________ of any victims found in the building should be noted.

Answer 66

location

Question 67

An arsonist may place ______ to hinder the efforts or fire righters.

Answer 67

obstacles

Question 68

_______ removed from any victim should be preserved as evidence.

Answer 68

Clothing

Question 69

True/False A cause-and-origin investigation determines where, why, and how a fire originated.

Answer 69

True

Question 70

True/False A fire can be caused by an act or by an omission.

Answer 70

True

Question 71

True/False The most important reason for investigating accidental fires is to identify the causes.

Answer 71

False

Question 72

True/False Charring is usually deepest on the edges of the object.

Answer 72

False

Question 73

True/False Evidence is most often found during the size-up phase of a fire.

Answer 73

False

Question 74

True/False To avoid contaminating evidence, fire investigators always wash their tools between taking samples.

Answer 74

True

Question 75

True/False Only one person should be responsible for collecting and taking custody of all evidence at a fire scene.

Answer 75

True

Question 76

True/False For most fire fighters, "The fire is under investigation" is the best reply to any questions concerning the cause of the fire.

Answer 76

True

Question 77

True/False The appearance and behavior of people at the scene of a fire can provide valuable clues.

Answer 77

True

Question 78

True/False Arsonists often open the shades and windows of structures they burn.

Answer 78

False

Question 79

True/False The color of the smoke often indicates what is burning.

Answer 79

True

Question 80

True/False To assist with evidence collection, burned materials should be thrown into a pile.

Answer 80

False