Certified Fire Investigator Exam | Practice Questions & Verified Answers | 2026-2027
What are the reasons for investigating fires? To eliminate reoccurrence
Upgrade existing fire codes
Determine if a criminal act took place
What is NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations
What is NFPA 1033 Standards for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigation
What is NIST? National Institute of Standards and Technology
What is CCAI? California Conference of Arson Investigators
Subrogation The assumption of a third party, such as an insurance company, of another's legal
right to collect a debt or damages.
High Explosive An explosive that detonates at a supersonic velocity speed of greater than 3,300
ft/sec
Low Explosive An explosive that detonates at a subsonic velocity speed usually less than 3,300
ft/sec
Low Order Explosive An explosion where the explosive is not completely consumed.
Flashback Reignition of flammable vapors immediately following a suppression attempt
Fire Bomb A breakable container filled with a flammable liquid with a flash point of 150F or less
with a wick or similar device.
What is a device? Any arrangement of material used to start a fire or explosion
ANFO A highly explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil- Classified as a Blasting
Agent
What is a Blasting Agent? Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and an oxidizer
What is Fragmentation Primary? Actual parts or pieces of a bomb or improvised explosive device
, Certified Fire Investigator Exam | Practice Questions & Verified Answers | 2026-2027
What is Fragmentation Secondary? Parts or pieces of material other than the explosive device that are thrown or
projected by the blast
What is a Pyrotechnic? A mixture of chemicals, one of which must be an oxidizer, designed to produce heat,
light, smoke, gas, or noise
Michigan vs. Tyler Once a fire has been extinguished and firefighters have left the premises, a warrant
is required to re-enter and search the premises
When is an Inspection Warrant necessary? When the following DO NOT exist:
Consent
Exigent Circumstances
Abandonment
No probable cause for a criminal search warrant
When re-entry is beyond a reasonable time
What are the parts of a Criminal Investigation? Scene Examination
Collection and preservation of evidence
Interviewing witnesses
Developing suspects
Arresting the responsible
Presenting the case in court
The prosecution has the burden to prove to the jury... Beyond a reasonable doubt
The prosecution must establish the Corpus Delecti of The cause of the fire
Arson meaning... That it was a deliberate and malicious act
What information is included in a Curriculum Vitae? Current duties
Past positions
Investigative experiences
Formal and vocational related educational training
Certificates
Memberships
Court experience
Types of Crimes Infraction, misdemeanor, felony
Definition of Malicious A wish to defraud, annoy, injure another person, or intent to do a wrongful act
A person is guilty of 451 (Arson) when... They willfully and maliciously set fire to or burn or cause to be burned or who aids,
counsels, or procures the burning of any structure, forestland, or property
A person is guilty of 452 (Unlawfully/Recklessly Causing a A fire is recklessly set to, or burns or causes to be burned, any structure, forestland,
Fire) when... or personal property
A person is guilty of 453 (Incendiary Device) when... They possess, manufacture or dispose of any flammable or combustible material
with the intent to willfully and maliciously use that material
What are the reasons for investigating fires? To eliminate reoccurrence
Upgrade existing fire codes
Determine if a criminal act took place
What is NFPA 921 Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations
What is NFPA 1033 Standards for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigation
What is NIST? National Institute of Standards and Technology
What is CCAI? California Conference of Arson Investigators
Subrogation The assumption of a third party, such as an insurance company, of another's legal
right to collect a debt or damages.
High Explosive An explosive that detonates at a supersonic velocity speed of greater than 3,300
ft/sec
Low Explosive An explosive that detonates at a subsonic velocity speed usually less than 3,300
ft/sec
Low Order Explosive An explosion where the explosive is not completely consumed.
Flashback Reignition of flammable vapors immediately following a suppression attempt
Fire Bomb A breakable container filled with a flammable liquid with a flash point of 150F or less
with a wick or similar device.
What is a device? Any arrangement of material used to start a fire or explosion
ANFO A highly explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil- Classified as a Blasting
Agent
What is a Blasting Agent? Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and an oxidizer
What is Fragmentation Primary? Actual parts or pieces of a bomb or improvised explosive device
, Certified Fire Investigator Exam | Practice Questions & Verified Answers | 2026-2027
What is Fragmentation Secondary? Parts or pieces of material other than the explosive device that are thrown or
projected by the blast
What is a Pyrotechnic? A mixture of chemicals, one of which must be an oxidizer, designed to produce heat,
light, smoke, gas, or noise
Michigan vs. Tyler Once a fire has been extinguished and firefighters have left the premises, a warrant
is required to re-enter and search the premises
When is an Inspection Warrant necessary? When the following DO NOT exist:
Consent
Exigent Circumstances
Abandonment
No probable cause for a criminal search warrant
When re-entry is beyond a reasonable time
What are the parts of a Criminal Investigation? Scene Examination
Collection and preservation of evidence
Interviewing witnesses
Developing suspects
Arresting the responsible
Presenting the case in court
The prosecution has the burden to prove to the jury... Beyond a reasonable doubt
The prosecution must establish the Corpus Delecti of The cause of the fire
Arson meaning... That it was a deliberate and malicious act
What information is included in a Curriculum Vitae? Current duties
Past positions
Investigative experiences
Formal and vocational related educational training
Certificates
Memberships
Court experience
Types of Crimes Infraction, misdemeanor, felony
Definition of Malicious A wish to defraud, annoy, injure another person, or intent to do a wrongful act
A person is guilty of 451 (Arson) when... They willfully and maliciously set fire to or burn or cause to be burned or who aids,
counsels, or procures the burning of any structure, forestland, or property
A person is guilty of 452 (Unlawfully/Recklessly Causing a A fire is recklessly set to, or burns or causes to be burned, any structure, forestland,
Fire) when... or personal property
A person is guilty of 453 (Incendiary Device) when... They possess, manufacture or dispose of any flammable or combustible material
with the intent to willfully and maliciously use that material
