ARSON Flashcards
- It is important for Officers to be familiar with arson terms and definitions. Which of the
following is correct? (Sec. 1.2.2, 1.2.3, 1.2.4, 1.2.5, 1.2.7)
(A) An Incendiary Fire is a designation given to a fire, in which the Incident Commander has
determined through physical examination of the fire scene and interview with witnesses that the
fire was intentionally set by someone.
(
B) A Suspicious Fire is a designation given by the Fire Marshal. If there are indications that
the fire may have been set and all accidental causes have been eliminated, the fire is designated as Suspicious.
(C) Trailers are materials used to initiate a fire.
(D) Plants are material arranged to start and feed the initial fire.
1.2.4 Trailers:
Incendiary Fire:
A designation given to a fire, in which the Fire Marshal
Suspicious:
A designation given by the Incident Commander
TRALIERS ARE 1.2.4 Trailers:
Material arranged to spread fire from its point of origin to other areas of an
occupancy. (Cotton waste, rags, paper, fluids, excelsior, waste film and others.)
- The presence of flammable accelerants may indicate that the fire was Incendiary. Which of
the following is not an indicator of the use of flammable accelerants? (Sec. 3.7, 3.11,
6.5.3, 6.5.4)
(A) Charring of the floor or low burn marks on the wall or under the door or on the lower part of the door.
(B) Char in broken patterns or “puddle-like” circle bums on the floor.
(C) Low burning and deep charring.
(D) Heavy body of fire with little contents. Accelerants increase damage.
(E) “V” Pattern of burning on a wall.
E
V PATTERNS HELP IDENTIFY THE POINT OF ORIGIN
Absence of “V” Pattern of burning could mean an accelerant was used. Rapid intense heat from accelerant may cause perpendicular burns on
walls.
- At fatal fires and arson investigations, security of the incident scene is of the utmost
importance, and a fire line may be established. Relatives, neighbors, spectators, the media and
members of the Department shall not cross established fire lines unless authorized by.
(Sec. 4.1)
(A) The assigned Fire Marshal and/or Chief of Operations.
(B) The assigned Fire Marshal only.
(C) The Incident Commander
(D) The Chief of Operations only.
A
- When a fire results in a fatality, when and where possible, and fire conditions permit, do
not move the body of a 10-45-1 pending arrival of the Fire Marshal and Medical Examiner.
Members should note and observe the condition of the victim to assist the Fire Marshal and
Medical Examiner in determining if the victim was dead before the fire or died as a result of the
fire. Which of the following would be considered suspicious? (Sec. 4.4, 4.5, 4.6)
(A) The victim appears life-like with pink to cherry red lips, eyelids and skin.
(B) The victim has soot in and around their nose and mouth.
(C) The victim is found lying supine (on their back) and only the skin on their back and rear of
their legs is red.
(D) The victim is found in a pugilistic position with their skull giving the appearance that it
exploded.
C
- BC QUESTION - When a fire was not extensive and the fire units are returned to service,
the Officer in Charge must ensure that evidence is safeguarded. What would be a correct
procedure to order? (Sec. 5.1, 5.1.1, 5.1.2, 5.1.3)
(A) One firefighter, fulfilling a watchline function with a hand extinguisher, is not sufficient to
establish the Fire Department control of the premises.
(B) To safeguard a firefighter performing a watchline, a request for assistance should be made
to the Police Department.
(C) An NYPD Police Officer may be left at the scene alone to safeguard the evidence.
(D) No one should be allowed into the occupancy until the Deputy Chief gives authorization.
B
- As your unit is overhauling at a Private Dwelling fire, one of your members notices what
appears to be a flammable liquid floating on water that has accumulated on the floor. After you
notify the IC, you are ordered to collect the flammable liquid due to the Fire Marshals currently operating at a fire with multiple fatalities and will not be responding. What would be a correct action to take?
(Sec. 5.3, 5.3.1, 5.3.2, 5.3.3, 5.3.4)
(A) Skim the surface of the water containing the flammable liquid with a clean, used one gallon
metal paint can.
(B) Use a clean glass jar with a loosely fitting lid.
(C) Place the evidence in a new, heavy gauge plastic bag and tie it closed. Then place that bag
into another new, heavy gauge plastic bag and tie that bag closed.
D) Ask the IC if the Photo Unit is responding. If the IC responds that they are, label the
evidence prior to the Photo Units arrival so the pictures can be used to accurately portray the
evidence.
C
NEW PAINT CAN
TIGHTLY FITTING LID
NEVER LABEL EVIDENCE PRIOR TO PHOTOS
Label and mark evidence and note where it was found at the fire scene.
Never label, mark, or alter evidence in any way prior to photos.
- After the fire has been knocked down, and secondary searches are in progress, the IC asks
you via HT if you can determine the point of origin. You notice several glass objects that have
been affected by the fire. Which thought is correct? (Sec. 6.7.2, 6.7.3)
(A) Small crazing of the glass indicates remoteness from the point of origin and/or a relatively slow heat build up.
(B) Large crazing means intense and rapid heat build up and will be found closer to the point of
origin.
(C) Checkering of glass (half moon effects or marks) usually results from water being applied
to heated glass.
(D) Checkering of glass indicates the window was broken prior to firefighters operating at the
fire.
C
Glass objects used as indicators to help locate the point of origin.
Crazing of glass (cracking due to heat).
♦ Small crazing means intense and rapid heat build up and will be found closer
to the point of origin.
♦ Large crazing indicates remoteness from the point of origin and/or a relatively
slow heat build up.
♦ Checkering of glass (half moon effects or marks) usually results from water
being applied to heated glass This indicates the window was still in place
when the firefighters operated at the fire.
- Smoke stains and depth of charring may be used as indicators to help locate the point of
origin. An incorrect statement concerning these indicators can be found in which choice?
(Sec. 6.7.2, 6.8)
(A) Heavy smoke stains, remote from the point of origin, usually indicate a slow fire build up.
(B) Light smoke stains usually indicate a slow build-up of the fire, little fire damage and are
found far from the point of origin.
(C) At 1400 Degrees Fahrenheit, wood structural members may bum at approximately one inch
every 45 minutes.
(D) Deepest char may be found at the point of origin. However, this is not always necessarily
so, since most intense heat and fire may be above the point of origin.
(E) Smaller blister type charring may indicate longer burning and hot fires.
B
Light smoke stains usually indicate a rapid build up of the fire, little fire damage and are found close to the point of origin.
- BC QUESTION - Commercial fires often receive substantial attention from Fire Marshals.
Which action taken at a commercial fire was incorrect? (Sec. 8.3, 8.4,
Communications Manual Ch. 8 Sec. 8.5 )
(A) If after arrival at a commercial fire, the Fire Marshal classifies it as being incendiary, the
police can thereafter maintain security.
(B) Until the Fire Marshal arrives, allow no one, including the owner, to enter premises unless
authorized by the officer in charge.
(C) Obtain names and addresses of anyone allowed in, and provide for their being accompanied
by a firefighter at all times.
(D) Signal 10-41-4 should be transmitted by the IC for a fire that occurred in a warehouse at
1900 hours after all of the employees had left for the day.
D
