Ch. 1 Principles of Fire Investigation

Question 1

Define fire

Answer 1

Rapid oxidation reaction resulting in light and heat i.e. uncontrolled combustion

Question 2

Define explosion

Answer 2

Sudden conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy with the production and release of gas under pressure

Question 3

Define fire investigation

Answer 3

Formal process of determining the origin, cause, and development of the fire and explosion

Question 4

What 2 stipulations make fire investigation one of the hardest forensic sciences?

Answer 4

Distruction & distortion of evidence

Question 5

Define fire investigator.

Answer 5

Specialist who conducts, coordinates, and completes fire investigation

Question 6

What are 3 major tasks of a fire investigator?

Answer 6

1) Proving/disproving allegations of fire being incendiary or arson
2) Using scientific method
3) Civil or criminal litigation

Question 7

How does civil litigation intertwine with fire investigation?

Answer 7

People may set fires to their property for the insurance payout, and charges will need to be pressed on these people

Question 8

Define cause

Answer 8

Circumstances, conditions, or agencies brought about or resulting in a fire or explosion

Question 9

Define origin

Answer 9

General location where a fire or explosion began

Question 10

Define incendiary

Answer 10

Intentionally igniting in an area where a fire when and where there shouldn’t be fire

Question 11

Give an example of an incendiary fire.

Answer 11

Homeless person sets fire in a trash can for warmth, and it gets out of control

Question 12

Define arson

Answer 12

Maliciously & intentionally, or recklessly, causing fire or explosion

Question 13

Define accidental fire

Answer 13

Fire with a proven cause not involving an intentional human act to ignite or spread fire

Question 14

How do fires affect the economy?

Answer 14

Fires can cause economic issues with devastating trickledown/domino effect

Question 15

How should you treat all fire cases?

Answer 15

Like a crime scene

Question 16

What 3 things should you do at a fire scene?

Answer 16

1) Secure the scene
2) Preserve/document/collect evidence
3) Define legal aspects (i.e. jurisdiction, search warrant, etc.)

Question 17

What are the 3 major ways that evidence is destroyed in fire investigation?

Answer 17

1) Fire
2) Fire suppression (i.e. water)
3) Firefighters (i.e. breaking through walls)

Question 18

How does a case become undetermined?

Answer 18

If the level of certainty for the fire’s cause is only possible or suspected

Question 19

How is resource allocation complicated in arson (HINT: property vs. violent crime)?

Answer 19

Arson is seen as a property crime, and resource allocation of property crimes is typically less than that of violent crimes

Question 20

What is the result of an agency not having an arson unit?

Answer 20

The investigation may be impacted

Question 21

What is the first step of the scientific method in fire investigation?

Answer 21

Recognizing the need

Question 22

After recognizing the need, what is the second step of the scientific method in fire investigation?

Answer 22

Defining the problem

Question 23

After defining the problem, what is the third step of the scientific method in fire investigation?

Answer 23

Collecting data

Question 24

After collecting data, what is the fourth step of the scientific method in fire investigation?

Answer 24

Analyzing the data (inductive reasoning)

Question 25

Define inductive reasoning

Answer 25

Reasoning that involves using specific observations to make a general conclusion

Question 26

After analyzing your data, what is the fifth step of the scientific method in fire investigation?

Answer 26

Developing a working hypothesis

Question 27

Define hypothesis

Answer 27

A conjecture put forward that must be consistent with facts of the case

Question 28

After developing a working hypothesis, what is the sixth step of the scientific method in fire investigation?

Answer 28

Testing the working hypothesis (deductive reasoning)

Question 29

Define deductive reasoning

Answer 29

Reasoning that involves narrowing down general ideas in favor of a specific conclusion

Question 30

After testing the working hypothesis, what is the seventh/final step of the scientific method in fire investigation?

Answer 30

Selecting the final hypothesis

Question 31

What privilege do experts have in a trial?

Answer 31

Being able to express an opinion based on established fact (i.e. having an informed opinion)

Question 32

What case lead to the Daubert criteria?

Answer 32

Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals (1993)

Question 33

What do the Daubert criteria generally entail?

Answer 33

The judge is the gatekeeper to ensure expert testimony is relevant and reliable

Question 34

What are the four Daubert criteria?

Answer 34

1) Validity of testing
2) Peer-reviewed publication
3) Error rates & professional standards
4) General acceptance by the scientific community