Chapter29-Fire Investigations Flashcards
Who should be called if there is loss of life or high content loss that has occurred during a fire, or if the fire or explosion was intentional or malicious
Fire inspector
What is an individual who is demonstrated the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct, coordinate, and complete an investigation
Fire inspector
What NFPA standard states the qualifications for fire investigators
1033
The first step of a fire investigation process is what
Determining the point of origin
What crew on the fire ground would be the most helpful with determining the point of origin
Initial attack crew
What is the best indicator of the point of origin
V shaped pattern
Due to the conviction of fire, area of origin is generally found where
At or near the lowest level of burning
What happens when burning debris falls or drops from the ceiling
False indicator
The deepest chargers in the structural members will often indicate what
Point of origin and fire spread
What are the two categories of vehicle fires
Driven or parked
Fires that occur while the car is being driven are most often due to what
Mechanical, electrical, or smoking
Where do you most mechanical fires results from
Engine compartment, brake assembly, or the exhaust system
In general how do wildland fires spread
Away from the point of origin
What area of a wildland fire is generally the point of origin
The heel
What are the circumstances or conditions, or agencies that bring together a fuel, ignition source, and oxidizer resulting in a fire or combustion explosion
Fire cause
What are the four general fire classifications
Accidental, natural, incendiary, or undetermined
What fire classification did not result from intentional or malicious human activity
Accidental fires
What are a few causes of natural fires
Lightning strikes and earthquakes
What classification of fire includes human activity that was intentional
Incendiary
What classification of fires uses specific causes of the fire which can’t be determined
Undetermined fires
Fire cause determination requires what three things
Reliable ignition source, identifying the material that ignited, and the actions that brought them together
What is a friendly fire
Fires that are started intentionally for a purpose such as burning leaves and at some point get out of control
What is it called when materials around fireplaces are constantly heated and the material converts to pyrophoric carbon through pyrolysis and autoignition temps lower until ignition occurs
Pyrophoric ignition
What is the most common cause of electrical fires in structures
Miss use of the electrical system by building occupants
What is an octopus
Use of a multiple outlet device overloading the plug in the electrical system
A very important thing to check during fire investigation of appliances is what
What position the on off switch is in
How do you earthquakes most often cause fires
Movement causes gas lines and electrical equipment to short out combining ignition sources with fuel
What are a few timing device is used to delay the start of a fire
Cigarette/matches, candles, and alarm clocks
What is a pattern that results when materials are used intentionally to spread the fire from one area of the structure to another
Trailers
If Excel rents are suspected of starting a fire, where is the best place to check for residue
Under the carpet or at the base of the walls
Low levels of charring can sometimes indicate the use of what to start a fire
Accelerants
Pools of flammable liquids often create what type of burn pattern on walls and ceilings
Inverted V patterns
What burn pattern will result from air movement from one side of the fire cooling the wall surface where air enters the flame zone
Hourglass
What is the act of intentionally and maliciously destroying or damaging property through the use of fire
Arson
What are the four elements of Arson
Lighting of fire, will full intent, malice, and property
What is it called when a fire satyr has intentionally lit the fire with the desire to do damage or to collect insurance as a result of the fire
Malice
What is the main objective of the post scene investigation
Determine the point of origin
What are the three components to the fire tetrahedron
Heat, fuel, oxygen
What are the five questions that need to be answered to complete the post scene investigation
What factors brought together the components of the fire tetrahedron, what were the spread characteristics, were their injuries or fatalities, what human factors were involved in the ignition of fire, if arson was suspected were the four factors met
If an officer is interviewing subjects about a fire he must make sure to read them what
Their Maranda rights
What are the six Maranda rights
You have the right to remain silent, anything you say or do may be used against you, you have the right to an attorney, if you can’t afford one one will be appointed to you, if you decide to answer questions now without an attorney you can stop at anytime, Do you understand these rights
What motive is the most common in arson cases
Revenge
What is the target in revenge cases
Personal property
Vandalism fires are generally set by how many people
Two or more
What is the main target of vandalism fires
Schools
Studies have shown that vandalism fires are set due to
Boredom and frustration
What are the three types of crime fires
Burglary, homicide, and embezzlement
What is the means of a fire
Method used by fire setters to bring the fuel and ignition sources together to start a fire
What is the most common source of ignition for fires
Matches
What are safety matches
Matches that can only be lit by striking on an abrasive service
Who should be contacted if the ignition source is suspected to be an alarm clock or timer
Fire marshal or inspector
Children under the age of seven start fires due to
Curiosity or accidents
Children ages 8 to 12 start fires due to
Psychological conflicts such as revenge, anger, or need for attention
What ages are considered the crisis age
13 to 18
Any person who has an impulse to deliberately and purposely set fires is a
Pyromaniac
Arousal by fire, interest in fire equipment, release after setting of a fire, and fires not set for profit are all examples or indications of what
Pyromania
What constituted the largest portion of all arson fires in 2002 according to the UCR program
Structures
What NFPA standard provides a definition of fire cause that should be applied during investigations
921
What is the fundamental element of arson
Fire
What is the first thing the company officer should determine when trying to eliminate an electrical caused to the fire
If the electrical service was turned on
