Chapter 19 Fire Origin and Cause Determination

Question 1

Name three responsibilitys of every firefighter when dealing with fire cause.

Answer 1

recognize the area of origin. Note indicators of fire cause. Protect Physical evidence.

Question 2

The ……..is the general location where the fire began. It will contain the precise ……….. where ignition took place.

Answer 2

Area of Origin. Point of Origin.

Question 3

All debris should remain in place until what?

Answer 3

There are orders to move it.

Question 4

When a area of origin can not be found what should firefighters do?

Answer 4

Delay overhaul. Protect the scene. Establish scene security.

Question 5

Name fire indicators to help determine the path of fire spread and area of origin.

Answer 5

Fire patterns. Melted metal and glass. Degree of damage to structure and contents.

Question 6

Areas of heavily charred flooring indicate what?

Answer 6

That a fuel burned at that location.

Question 7

Charring on vertical surfaces of walls, closed doors, and objects will face what direction?

Answer 7

Toward the area or point of origin.

Question 8

When dealing with ground cover fires you should know how these three things affect fire behavior.

Answer 8

Wind. Topography. Natural fuels.

Question 9

T or F On flat ground with a consistent fuel bed and no wind, a fire would burn equally in all directions, and the point of origin would be in the center of the circular fire pattern.

Answer 9

True

Question 10

With ground cover fires the area of origin may display evidence of what, when compared to the head or leading edge of the fire.

Answer 10

slower and less intense fire growth.

Question 11

What direction will grass fall when it burns?

Answer 11

Toward the area of origin.

Question 12

Will have sufficient temp and energy and be in contact with the fuel long enough to raise it to its ignition temp.

Answer 12

Competent Ignition Source

Question 13

History of the fire, beginning when the ignition source and the first fuel ignited meet at the area of origin, and proceeding through the entire duration of fire spread through the scene.

Answer 13

Ignition Sequence

Question 14

Four cause can be these four types.

Answer 14

Accidental. Natural. Incendiary. Undetermined.

Question 15

Fire cause that happens when humans are not involved in the ignition process.

Answer 15

Natural

Question 16

Fire cause that is intentionally set under circumstances in which the responsible party knows that the fire should not be ignited.

Answer 16

Incendiary

Question 17

The most obvious sign of fire cause will be the what?

Answer 17

Ignition Source

Question 18

A firefighter take note of these four things and report it to a investigator.

Answer 18

Time of Day. Weather and Natural Hazards. Man-made Barriers. People leaving the Scene.

Question 19

Combustible material, such as rolled rags, blankets, newspapers, or flammable liquid, often used in intentionally set fires in order to spread fire from one area to other points or areas.

Answer 19

Trailer

Question 20

Most incendiary devices leave what?

Answer 20

Evidence of their existence.

Question 21

List several additional factors firefighters should note on a fire scene.

Answer 21

Time of day and extent of fire. Wind direction and velocity. Doors and windows locked or unlocked. Location of the fire. Containers or cans. Burglar tools. Familiar faces. Unusual odors. Abnormal fire behavior when water is applied. Obstacles. Incendiary devices. Trailers. Structural alterations. Fire patterns. Heat intensity. Availability of documents. Fire detection and protection systems. Intrusion alarm. Location of fire (are there multiple?). Personal possessions. Household items. Equipment or inventory. Business records.

Question 22

Who is responsible for preserving evidence?

Answer 22

All fire officers and fire fighters on scene.

Question 23

What is the first step in establishing a chain of custody?

Answer 23

Scene security.

Question 24

What two things make a fire scene secure?

Answer 24

A recognizable perimeter and a person to maintain that perimeter.

Question 25

On incidents like a injury or fatality a police officer should be assigned to do what?

Answer 25

Document who enters and exits the perimeter.

Question 26

If a scene is considered criminal a investigator may institute what four things?

Answer 26

Log all person who enter and exit. Permit access to authorized individuals only. Have firefighter move outside the perimeter to a staging area after there task is completed. Ensure that those brought into the area are escorted. Mark potential evidence so it is not disturbed.

Question 27

What should be done if personnel are still operating and there is potential to damage evidence?

Answer 27

A investigator or firefighter should be stationed by the evidence.

Question 28

Nonessential overhaul operations should be delayed until when?

Answer 28

Until the IC or investigator authorize it.

Question 29

General term referring to anything that can taint physical evidence.

Answer 29

Contamination

Question 30

What is the final activity before securing a structure?

Answer 30

Remove debris from the structure. (if local protocol allows it)

Question 31

Term that refers to evidence that is destroyed, damaged, altered, or otherwise not present by someone who has the responsibility for the evidence.

Answer 31

Spoliation

Question 32

Dumping debris on what, is easy to clean up, protects the driveway and yard, and is good for public relations.

Answer 32

Inexpensive plastic tarps.

Question 33

Any means of proof that may be present to prove or disprove a certain hypothesis.

Answer 33

Evidence

Question 34

Name three types of evidence.

Answer 34

Direct. Circumstantial. Physical.

Question 35

Composed of fact to which a person can attest without further support. Found through the five physical senses.

Answer 35

Direct Evidence

Question 36

Evidence that tends to prove a factual matter through inference by proving other events.

Answer 36

Circumstantial Evidence.

Question 37

Includes physical objects available for inspection.

Answer 37

Physical evidence.

Question 38

List some items of evidence and information that the investigator might find.

Answer 38

Separate Fires. Timing Devices. Trailers. Chemicals. Matches. Ignitable Liquids. Bottles. Rubber or latex items. Containers. Glass. Lighters. Electrical sources. Modified Equipment. Items that should not be present and items that should be present but are missing. Oily rags. Fire patterns.

Question 39

In most jurisdictions who has the legal responsibility for determining the origin and cause of a fire?

Answer 39

The fire chief. (he may delegate it to a officer or firefighter on scene).

Question 40

Who is in the best position to observe unusual fire conditions that may indicate a incendiary fire?

Answer 40

First arriving firefighters.

Question 41

Who is responsible for conducting detailed investigations and analysis beyond the initial origin and cause?

Answer 41

Fire Marshall, Fire investigator, Fire inspector.

Question 42

Name three cases where a firefighter may have to assist in a fire investigation.

Answer 42

When fire cause can not be determined. When there is a fatality. When a incendiary fire is suspected.

Question 43

What does a insurance adjuster do?

Answer 43

Visit the incident site. Collect police and fire reports. Create Diagrams. Interview Witnesses. Take photos of the scene.

Question 44

Is it uncommon g for each investigation group to compare their findings and hypotheses of origin and cause?

Answer 44

No

Question 45

Right of entry stating that the fire department does not require a warrant to enter a property to suppress a fire, or to remain on the property for a reasonable amount of time afterward in order to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

Answer 45

Exigent Circumstances

Question 46

What must be obtained to remove property from a fire scene?

Answer 46

A warrant or consent by the owner.

Question 47

If a individual is the focus of a criminal fire cause that person must have what done before taking them into custody or interviewing them?

Answer 47

Advised of their rights.

Question 48

Name five legal issues of evidence preservation.

Answer 48

Right of entry. Search and seizure. Statements and the Miranda warning. Chain of custody and continuity of evidence. Spoliation.