Fire Investigator - Master for TCFP
Test Questions with Correct
Answers
What is platform frame construction? - Answer- Each floor is a seperate platform.
What is balloon frame construction? - Answer- The wall studs extend from the
foundation to the roof.
What is Ohm's Law? - Answer- V=IR
(E = I x R)
What is voltage? - Answer- Pressure
What is current? - Answer- Flow
What is resistance? - Answer- Friction, opposition to the flow
What is an overload? - Answer- Power needs exceed the circuit's capacity.
Alternating Current VS Direct Current - Answer- Alternating current - the electrons flow
out from the source and then back to it, alternating directions.
Direct current - electrons flow one way.
Single Phase service - Answer- Residential. Three conductors: Two insulated
conductors at 120 V each, and a bare ground wire.
Three phase system - Answer- Commercial. Four conductors: Three insulated
conductors (480, 240, or 208 V), and a bare ground wire.
What is the difference between grounding and bonding? - Answer- Grounding connects
the system to the earth (ground). Bonding connects to systems together so the charge
stays the same between them.
What is overcurrent protection? - Answer- A device that protects the system from
excess current. Includes:
Circuit breakers
Plug fuses
Type S fuses
Time delay fuses
Cartridge fuses
,What are the colors of residential wires? - Answer- Hot - black or red
Neutral - gray or white
Ground - bare or green
What are some methods of electrical heat production? - Answer- Resistance heating
Short circuit
Ground fault
Parting Arc
Excessive current
What is the difference between and arc and a spark? - Answer- Sparks are thrown
metal particles
Arcs are brief discharges of electricity
What is arc tracking? - Answer- Arc following salts, dusts, or liquids along a path.
What is arc mapping? - Answer- Mapping out of electrical damage in a circuit.
What is static electricity? - Answer- A stationary charge caused by movement of one
object against another. Lighting is a static disharge.
What are the five conditions nessecery for Static Arc Ignition? - Answer- A Means of
static generation
A means of accumulating and maintaining the charge
A static discharge with sufficient energy
A fuel source
Coexistence of the arc and fuel source
Name two fuel gasses: - Answer- LP (liquid petroleum)
Natural gas
What is the difference between tanks and cylinders for LP gas? - Answer- Tanks:
storage with greater than 1000 LBs water capacity.
Cylinder: Portable, usually consumer.
What are some human factors related to fire initiation in a structure? - Answer- Improper
maintenance and operation
Housekeeping
Product labels, warnings, and instructions
Recalls
Violations of fire safety codes and standards
What are the age groups and types of child firesetters? - Answer- Child 2-6, curiosity
Juvenile 7-13, psychological or emotional problem
Adolescent 14-16, stress, anger, or other psychological or emotional problems
,What are the four ways of right of entry? - Answer- Consent
Exigent Circumstance
Administrative Search warrant
Criminal search warrant
What are the four rules of the Miranda warning? - Answer- Right to remain silent
Any statement can be used against you
Right to an attorney
Right to have an attorney appointed if you can't afford one
- Sixth Amendment
What is spoliation? - Answer- The loss or destruction of an object or document that is
evidence
What is demonstrative evidence? - Answer- Any tangible evidence that you can touch,
feel, see, or smell. Any evidence that is tangible (physical).
What is documentary evidence? - Answer- Written reports or documents relevant to the
case.
What is Testimonial evidence? - Answer- Verbal testimony of witnesses
Fact witness VS Expert witness - Answer- Fact witness can only testify observations
and statements of fact.
Expert witness may testify their opinion.
Daubert Rule considerations: - Answer- Can the theory or technique be tested?
Has the theory or technique been peer-reviewed and published?
Is there a known or potential rate of error?
Has it gained general acceptance in the expert's field?
What is Arson? - Answer- Causing unlawful and intentional damage, by fire or
explosion, to structures, vehicles, and personal property.
What are four ways you can be exposed to chemical hazards? - Answer- Absorption
(surface of skin)
Inhalation
Ingestion
Injection
Should you investigate a fire alone or in pairs? - Answer- In pairs
What are some Basic Investigation Assignments for personnel? - Answer- Photography
Note Taking
, Mapping
Diagramming
Interviewing Witnesses
Evidence Collection
What are some ways to document a scene? - Answer- Photographs
Video
Notes
Drawings (sketches)
What items can cause cross-contamination at a scene? - Answer- Tools
Gear (boots, gloves, etc)
Evidence Cans
Other emergency equipment
Characteristics of evidence: - Answer- Physical state: Solid, liquid, gas
Characteristics: Size, shape, weight
Fragility: Will it disintegrate or break?
Volatility: Will it evaporate?
What is an accelerant? - Answer- Any substance used to initiate or promote fire spread.
What are the most desireable collection areas for liquid accelerants? - Answer- Lowest
areas
Samples of porous or fiberous material
Cloth, paper, cardboard
Seams, tears, cracks
Edges of burn patterns
Floor drains
How much space can you fill up in an evidence can? - Answer- 2/3 of the can
What data should be included with the evidence? - Answer- Date and time
Case #
Location
Brief description
Name of investigator
What is the difference between Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry? -
Answer- GC seperates mixtures into their individual components
MS further analyzes the individual components
What is the point of origin? - Answer- Exact physical location where a heat source and
fuel come together and a fire begins.
What is the area of origin? - Answer- The room or area where the fire began
Test Questions with Correct
Answers
What is platform frame construction? - Answer- Each floor is a seperate platform.
What is balloon frame construction? - Answer- The wall studs extend from the
foundation to the roof.
What is Ohm's Law? - Answer- V=IR
(E = I x R)
What is voltage? - Answer- Pressure
What is current? - Answer- Flow
What is resistance? - Answer- Friction, opposition to the flow
What is an overload? - Answer- Power needs exceed the circuit's capacity.
Alternating Current VS Direct Current - Answer- Alternating current - the electrons flow
out from the source and then back to it, alternating directions.
Direct current - electrons flow one way.
Single Phase service - Answer- Residential. Three conductors: Two insulated
conductors at 120 V each, and a bare ground wire.
Three phase system - Answer- Commercial. Four conductors: Three insulated
conductors (480, 240, or 208 V), and a bare ground wire.
What is the difference between grounding and bonding? - Answer- Grounding connects
the system to the earth (ground). Bonding connects to systems together so the charge
stays the same between them.
What is overcurrent protection? - Answer- A device that protects the system from
excess current. Includes:
Circuit breakers
Plug fuses
Type S fuses
Time delay fuses
Cartridge fuses
,What are the colors of residential wires? - Answer- Hot - black or red
Neutral - gray or white
Ground - bare or green
What are some methods of electrical heat production? - Answer- Resistance heating
Short circuit
Ground fault
Parting Arc
Excessive current
What is the difference between and arc and a spark? - Answer- Sparks are thrown
metal particles
Arcs are brief discharges of electricity
What is arc tracking? - Answer- Arc following salts, dusts, or liquids along a path.
What is arc mapping? - Answer- Mapping out of electrical damage in a circuit.
What is static electricity? - Answer- A stationary charge caused by movement of one
object against another. Lighting is a static disharge.
What are the five conditions nessecery for Static Arc Ignition? - Answer- A Means of
static generation
A means of accumulating and maintaining the charge
A static discharge with sufficient energy
A fuel source
Coexistence of the arc and fuel source
Name two fuel gasses: - Answer- LP (liquid petroleum)
Natural gas
What is the difference between tanks and cylinders for LP gas? - Answer- Tanks:
storage with greater than 1000 LBs water capacity.
Cylinder: Portable, usually consumer.
What are some human factors related to fire initiation in a structure? - Answer- Improper
maintenance and operation
Housekeeping
Product labels, warnings, and instructions
Recalls
Violations of fire safety codes and standards
What are the age groups and types of child firesetters? - Answer- Child 2-6, curiosity
Juvenile 7-13, psychological or emotional problem
Adolescent 14-16, stress, anger, or other psychological or emotional problems
,What are the four ways of right of entry? - Answer- Consent
Exigent Circumstance
Administrative Search warrant
Criminal search warrant
What are the four rules of the Miranda warning? - Answer- Right to remain silent
Any statement can be used against you
Right to an attorney
Right to have an attorney appointed if you can't afford one
- Sixth Amendment
What is spoliation? - Answer- The loss or destruction of an object or document that is
evidence
What is demonstrative evidence? - Answer- Any tangible evidence that you can touch,
feel, see, or smell. Any evidence that is tangible (physical).
What is documentary evidence? - Answer- Written reports or documents relevant to the
case.
What is Testimonial evidence? - Answer- Verbal testimony of witnesses
Fact witness VS Expert witness - Answer- Fact witness can only testify observations
and statements of fact.
Expert witness may testify their opinion.
Daubert Rule considerations: - Answer- Can the theory or technique be tested?
Has the theory or technique been peer-reviewed and published?
Is there a known or potential rate of error?
Has it gained general acceptance in the expert's field?
What is Arson? - Answer- Causing unlawful and intentional damage, by fire or
explosion, to structures, vehicles, and personal property.
What are four ways you can be exposed to chemical hazards? - Answer- Absorption
(surface of skin)
Inhalation
Ingestion
Injection
Should you investigate a fire alone or in pairs? - Answer- In pairs
What are some Basic Investigation Assignments for personnel? - Answer- Photography
Note Taking
, Mapping
Diagramming
Interviewing Witnesses
Evidence Collection
What are some ways to document a scene? - Answer- Photographs
Video
Notes
Drawings (sketches)
What items can cause cross-contamination at a scene? - Answer- Tools
Gear (boots, gloves, etc)
Evidence Cans
Other emergency equipment
Characteristics of evidence: - Answer- Physical state: Solid, liquid, gas
Characteristics: Size, shape, weight
Fragility: Will it disintegrate or break?
Volatility: Will it evaporate?
What is an accelerant? - Answer- Any substance used to initiate or promote fire spread.
What are the most desireable collection areas for liquid accelerants? - Answer- Lowest
areas
Samples of porous or fiberous material
Cloth, paper, cardboard
Seams, tears, cracks
Edges of burn patterns
Floor drains
How much space can you fill up in an evidence can? - Answer- 2/3 of the can
What data should be included with the evidence? - Answer- Date and time
Case #
Location
Brief description
Name of investigator
What is the difference between Gas chromatography and Mass spectrometry? -
Answer- GC seperates mixtures into their individual components
MS further analyzes the individual components
What is the point of origin? - Answer- Exact physical location where a heat source and
fuel come together and a fire begins.
What is the area of origin? - Answer- The room or area where the fire began
