Fire Investigator: Principles and
Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033, Fourth
Edition Questions and Answers |
Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
What is the primary purpose of NFPA 921?
✔✔To provide a systematic guide for fire and explosion investigations.
What is the main role of NFPA 1033 in fire investigations?
✔✔It defines the minimum professional qualifications for fire investigators.
Why is the scientific method important in fire investigation?
✔✔It ensures investigations are systematic, objective, and based on evidence.
What is the first step in the scientific method of fire investigation?
✔✔Recognize the need or identify the problem.
What is the definition of fire cause?
1
,✔✔The circumstances, conditions, or agencies that bring a fire into existence.
Why is scene safety the investigator’s first priority?
✔✔To protect the investigator and others from hazards at the scene.
What is meant by the area of origin in fire investigation?
✔✔The location where the fire began.
What is meant by the point of origin?
✔✔The exact physical location within the area of origin where ignition occurred.
Why is fire pattern analysis important?
✔✔It helps identify fire spread and determine the area of origin.
What is the purpose of interviewing witnesses during fire investigations?
✔✔To obtain firsthand information about fire events and observations.
What is the definition of fire dynamics?
2
,✔✔The study of how fires start, spread, and develop.
What is a competent ignition source?
✔✔An ignition source with enough energy and time to ignite a fuel.
Why must chain of custody be maintained for all evidence?
✔✔To ensure evidence is admissible and has not been tampered with.
What is the purpose of photographing a fire scene?
✔✔To create a permanent visual record for documentation and analysis.
Why is note-taking essential during fire scene examination?
✔✔It provides detailed documentation that supports later reports and testimony.
What is the difference between accidental and incendiary fire causes?
✔✔Accidental fires occur without intent, while incendiary fires are deliberately set.
What is the purpose of collecting debris samples?
3
, ✔✔To test for ignitable liquid residues or other evidence.
What is the role of a fire investigator in court?
✔✔To present findings as a qualified expert witness.
Why should an investigator use protective clothing at a fire scene?
✔✔To protect against hazards such as sharp debris, toxins, and unstable structures.
What is spoliation in fire investigation?
✔✔The loss, destruction, or alteration of evidence that affects its integrity.
Why is fire scene security important?
✔✔To prevent evidence contamination or unauthorized access.
What is the purpose of using accelerant-detection canines?
✔✔To detect the presence of ignitable liquids.
What is the difference between flashover and backdraft?
4
Practice to NFPA 921 and 1033, Fourth
Edition Questions and Answers |
Latest Version | 2025/2026 | Correct &
Verified
What is the primary purpose of NFPA 921?
✔✔To provide a systematic guide for fire and explosion investigations.
What is the main role of NFPA 1033 in fire investigations?
✔✔It defines the minimum professional qualifications for fire investigators.
Why is the scientific method important in fire investigation?
✔✔It ensures investigations are systematic, objective, and based on evidence.
What is the first step in the scientific method of fire investigation?
✔✔Recognize the need or identify the problem.
What is the definition of fire cause?
1
,✔✔The circumstances, conditions, or agencies that bring a fire into existence.
Why is scene safety the investigator’s first priority?
✔✔To protect the investigator and others from hazards at the scene.
What is meant by the area of origin in fire investigation?
✔✔The location where the fire began.
What is meant by the point of origin?
✔✔The exact physical location within the area of origin where ignition occurred.
Why is fire pattern analysis important?
✔✔It helps identify fire spread and determine the area of origin.
What is the purpose of interviewing witnesses during fire investigations?
✔✔To obtain firsthand information about fire events and observations.
What is the definition of fire dynamics?
2
,✔✔The study of how fires start, spread, and develop.
What is a competent ignition source?
✔✔An ignition source with enough energy and time to ignite a fuel.
Why must chain of custody be maintained for all evidence?
✔✔To ensure evidence is admissible and has not been tampered with.
What is the purpose of photographing a fire scene?
✔✔To create a permanent visual record for documentation and analysis.
Why is note-taking essential during fire scene examination?
✔✔It provides detailed documentation that supports later reports and testimony.
What is the difference between accidental and incendiary fire causes?
✔✔Accidental fires occur without intent, while incendiary fires are deliberately set.
What is the purpose of collecting debris samples?
3
, ✔✔To test for ignitable liquid residues or other evidence.
What is the role of a fire investigator in court?
✔✔To present findings as a qualified expert witness.
Why should an investigator use protective clothing at a fire scene?
✔✔To protect against hazards such as sharp debris, toxins, and unstable structures.
What is spoliation in fire investigation?
✔✔The loss, destruction, or alteration of evidence that affects its integrity.
Why is fire scene security important?
✔✔To prevent evidence contamination or unauthorized access.
What is the purpose of using accelerant-detection canines?
✔✔To detect the presence of ignitable liquids.
What is the difference between flashover and backdraft?
4
