NFPA 921 and the Scientific Method

Question 1

the first step in following the scientific method in an investigation is to

Answer 1

recognize a need

Question 2

the second step in following the scientific method in an investigation is to

Answer 2

define the problem

Question 3

the third step in following the scientific method in an investigation is to

Answer 3

collect data

Question 4

the fourth step in following the scientific method in an investigation is to

Answer 4

analyze the data

Question 5

the fifth step in following the scientific method in an investigation is to

Answer 5

develop a hypothesis

Question 6

the sixth step in following the scientific method in an investigation is to

Answer 6

test the hypothesis

Question 7

the seven steps of the scientific method are

Answer 7

1. recognize the need
2. define the problem
3. collect data
4. analyze the data
5. develop a hypothesis
6. test the hypothesis
7. select the final hypothesis

Question 8

The purpose of a hypothesis in a fire investigation is to

Answer 8

provide an orientation for further data collection efforts

Question 9

(blank) is the science and practice of temperature measurement

Answer 9

thermometry

Question 10

investigators must be properly prepared if they must confront NFPA 921 and be ready to justify their findings by ___________

Answer 10

1. being familiar with the document and its content
2. being ready to show that they followed the recommended practices and procedures of 921
3. being prepared to explain why he or she did not follow the practices due to the circumstances of the specific fire incident

Question 11

the purpose of NFPA 921 is to _________

Answer 11

establish guideline for fire and explosion incident investigation

Question 12

if an investigator has not followed NFPA 921, __________

Answer 12

They just demonstrate or explain why they NFPA 921 was not strictly followed

Question 13

the fire investigator shall remain current in all topics listed in 1.3.7 by

Answer 13

attending formal education courses
workshops
seminars
through professional publications and journals

Question 14

NFPA (####) Standard for professional qualifications for fire investigator

Answer 14

1033

Question 15

NFPA 921 is updated every ____ years

Answer 15

3

Question 16

How often should an investigator apply the scientific method, as per 921

Answer 16

every time

Question 17

Code, guide, or standard?
a standard that is an extensive compilation of provisions covering board subject matter or that is suitable for adoption into law independently of other codes and standards.

Answer 17

a code

Question 18

Code, guide, or standard?

a document that is advisory or informative in nature and that contains only nonmandatory provisions.

Answer 18

guide

Question 19

Code, guide, or standard?
a document, the main text of which contains only mandatory provisions using the word “shall” to indicate requirements and which is in a form generally suitable for mandatory reference by another or for adoption into law.

Answer 19

standard

Question 20

NFPA 921 is a ______, but is considered to be the _____

Answer 20

guide, standard of care

Question 21

Thompson v. state farm fire and casualty co. was a court case that established what about 921

Answer 21

the purpose of 921 is to establish guidelines and recommendations. deviations from these procedures, however, are not necessarily wrong or inferior but need to be justified.

Question 22

Which step of the scientific method is this?

secure the scene

Answer 22

2. define the problem

Question 23

Which step of the scientific method is this?

respond to the scene

Answer 23

1. recognize the need

Question 24

Which step of the scientific method is this?

determine right of entry

Answer 24

2. define the problem

Question 25

Which step of the scientific method is this? | interview emergency responders

Answer 25

3. collect data

Question 26

Which step of the scientific method is this? | document and collect ecidence

Answer 26

3. collect data

Question 27

Which step of the scientific method is this? | conduct an interior examination

Answer 27

3. collect data

Question 28

Which step of the scientific method is this? | interpret burn patterns

Answer 28

4. analyze the data

Question 29

Which step of the scientific method is this? | reconstruct the area of origin

Answer 29

4. analyze the data

Question 30

Which step of the scientific method is this? | examine physical evidence

Answer 30

4. analyze the data

Question 31

Which step of the scientific method is this? | using inductive reasoning

Answer 31

5. develop a hypothesis

Question 32

Which step of the scientific method is this? | develop a working theory based on the analysis of the data to explain the origin and cause

Answer 32

5. develop a hypothesis

Question 33

Which step of the scientific method is this? | using deductive reasoning

Answer 33

6. test the hypothesis

Question 34

Which step of the scientific method is this? | compare the hypothesis against know fire dynamics

Answer 34

6. test the hypothesis

Question 35

Which step of the scientific method is this? | eliminate all other reasonable origins and fire causes

Answer 35

6. test the hypothesis

Question 36

What is the study of chemical processes that occur in fires, including changes of state, decomposition, and combustion?

Answer 36

fire chemistry

Question 37

what is the study of fire-related subjects and their interaction with people, structures, and the environment

Answer 37

fire science

Question 38

what science studies the physical science that deals with the relations between heat and other forms of energy. aka flowpath?

Answer 38

thermodynamics

Question 39

what studies the science and practice of temperature measurement? aka NIST videos

Answer 39

thermometry

Question 40

what is the detailed study of how chemistry, fire science, and the engineering disciplines of fluid mechanics and heat transfer interact to influence fire behavior?

Answer 40

fire dynamics

Question 41

What is the study of explosions and their effects?

Answer 41

explosion dynamics

Question 42

what are compilations of mathematical equations derived from basic physical principles or experimental data that influence fire growth and spread?

Answer 42

computer fire modeling

Question 43

what is the process of determining the origin, cause, development, responsibility, and when required, a failure analysis of a fire or explosion?

Answer 43

fire analysis

Question 44

what is a the analytical process used in conducting a fire investigation, use of the scientific method

Answer 44

fire investigation methodology

Question 45

How many topics should an investigator be knowledgeable about per 1033?

Answer 45

16

Question 46

During step 3, collect the data, what type of data is collected and why?

Answer 46

Empirical data. Because it is based on observation or experience and is capable of being verified or known to be true.

Question 47

What type of reason is used to develop a hypothesis? and what is it?

Answer 47

Inductive - using observations or known facts and the training, experience, knowledge, and expertise to form a hypothesis that leads to a probable conclusion but not a guaranteed truth.

Question 48

Is the testing of a hypothesis designed to prove or disprove the hypothesis? And what can it prevent?

Answer 48

Disprove, confirmation bias

Question 49

when should a hypothesis be considered "invalid?"

Answer 49

anytime it is incapable of being tested either physically or analytically.

Question 50

How should an investigator approach all fire and explosion investigations?

Answer 50

without presumption as to origin, ignition sequence, cause, fire spread, or responsibility for the incident.

Question 51

What is expectation bias and how does it affected an investigation?

Answer 51

it occurs when the investigator reach a particular conclusion based on their expectations and results in the use of data that only supports the previously formed conclusion. or results in the misinterpretation or discarding of data that doesn't support the original opinion

Question 52

What is an example of expectation bias?

Answer 52

When the investigator interviews a witness and uses suggestive questioning which might influence a conclusion.

Question 53

What is confirmation bias?

Answer 53

when an investigator relies on data that supports the hypothesis and fails to look for, ignores, or dismisses contradictory or non-supporting data.

Question 54

Why does trying to disprove a hypothesis help prevent confirmation bias?

Answer 54

because it relies on all data to be considered rather than only on data that support the hypothesis.

Question 55

What two expression of certainty are commonly used?

Answer 55

Probable (more likely than not) Possible (demostrated to be feasible but cannot be either ruled out or declared probable.

Question 56

If two or more hypotheses are equally likely, the the expression must be ???

Answer 56

possible

Question 57

What is a limitation of an Administrative review?

Answer 57

the reviewer may not posses all of the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the FI and may not be able to critique the FI's work product.