CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATOR EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What4are4the4reasons4for4investigating4fires?4-4ans-✔✔To4eliminate4reoccurrence
Upgrade4existing4fire4codes
Determine4if4a4criminal4act4took4place
What4is4NFPA49214-4ans-✔✔Guide4for4Fire4and4Explosion4Investigations
What4is4NFPA410334-4ans-
✔✔Standards4for4Professional4Qualifications4for4Fire4Investigation
What4is4NIST?4-4ans-✔✔National4Institute4of4Standards4and4Technology
What4is4CCAI?4-4ans-✔✔California4Conference4of4Arson4Investigators
Subrogation4-4ans-
✔✔The4assumption4of4a4third4party,4such4as4an4insurance4company,4of4another's4legal4ri
ght4to4collect4a4debt4or4damages.
High4Explosive4-4ans-
✔✔An4explosive4that4detonates4at4a4supersonic4velocity4speed4of4greater4than43,3004ft/
sec
Low4Explosive4-4ans-
✔✔An4explosive4that4detonates4at4a4subsonic4velocity4speed4usually4less4than43,3004ft/
sec
Low4Order4Explosive4-4ans-
✔✔An4explosion4where4the4explosive4is4not4completely4consumed.
Flashback4-4ans-
✔✔Reignition4of4flammable4vapors4immediately4following4a4suppression4attempt
Fire4Bomb4-4ans-
✔✔A4breakable4container4filled4with4a4flammable4liquid4with4a4flash4point4of4150F4or4less
4with4a4wick4or4similar4device.
,What4is4a4device?4-4ans-
✔✔Any4arrangement4of4material4used4to4start4a4fire4or4explosion
ANFO4-4ans-✔✔A4highly4explosive4mixture4of4ammonium4nitrate4and4fuel4oil-
4Classified4as4a4Blasting4Agent
What4is4a4Blasting4Agent?4-4ans-
✔✔Any4material4or4mixture4consisting4of4a4fuel4and4an4oxidizer
What4is4Fragmentation4Primary?4-4ans-
✔✔Actual4parts4or4pieces4of4a4bomb4or4improvised4explosive4device
What4is4Fragmentation4Secondary?4-4ans-
✔✔Parts4or4pieces4of4material4other4than4the4explosive4device4that4are4thrown4or4project
ed4by4the4blast
What4is4a4Pyrotechnic?4-4ans-
✔✔A4mixture4of4chemicals,4one4of4which4must4be4an4oxidizer,4designed4to4produce4heat,
4light,4smoke,4gas,4or4noise
Michigan4vs.4Tyler4-4ans-
✔✔Once4a4fire4has4been4extinguished4and4firefighters4have4left4the4premises,4a4warrant4
is4required4to4re-enter4and4search4the4premises
When4is4an4Inspection4Warrant4necessary?4-4ans-✔✔When4the4following4DO4NOT4exist:
Consent
Exigent4Circumstances
Abandonment
No4probable4cause4for4a4criminal4search4warrant
When4re-entry4is4beyond4a4reasonable4time
What4are4the4parts4of4a4Criminal4Investigation?4-4ans-✔✔Scene4Examination
Collection4and4preservation4of4evidence
Interviewing4witnesses
Developing4suspects
Arresting4the4responsible
Presenting4the4case4in4court
The4prosecution4has4the4burden4to4prove4to4the4jury...4-4ans-
✔✔Beyond4a4reasonable4doubt
The4prosecution4must4establish4the4Corpus4Delecti4of4Arson4meaning...4-4ans-
✔✔The4cause4of4the4fire
That4it4was4a4deliberate4and4malicious4act
What4information4is4included4in4a4Curriculum4Vitae?4-4ans-✔✔Current4duties
, Past4positions
Investigative4experiences
Formal4and4vocational4related4educational4training
Certificates
Memberships
Court4experience
Types4of4Crimes4-4ans-✔✔Infraction,4misdemeanor,4felony
Definition4of4Malicious4-4ans-
✔✔A4wish4to4defraud,4annoy,4injure4another4person,4or4intent4to4do4a4wrongful4act
A4person4is4guilty4of44514(Arson)4when...4-4ans-
✔✔They4willfully4and4maliciously4set4fire4to4or4burn4or4cause4to4be4burned4or4who4aids,4c
ounsels,4or4procures4the4burning4of4any4structure,4forestland,4or4property
A4person4is4guilty4of44524(Unlawfully/Recklessly4Causing4a4Fire)4when...4-4ans-
✔✔A4fire4is4recklessly4set4to,4or4burns4or4causes4to4be4burned,4any4structure,4forestland,
4or4personal4property
A4person4is4guilty4of44534(Incendiary4Device)4when...4-4ans-
✔✔They4possess,4manufacture4or4dispose4of4any4flammable4or4combustible4material4wit
h4the4intent4to4willfully4and4maliciously4use4that4material
A4person4is4guilty4of44554(Attempted4Arson)4when...4-4ans-
✔✔They4attempt4to4set4fire4to4or4burn4any4structure,4forestland4or4property
What4is4the4melting4point4of4copper?4-4ans-✔✔Approximately420004F
What4are4Arrow4Patterns?4-4ans-✔✔A4fire4pattern4displayed4on4the4cross-
section4of4a4burned4wooden4structural4member
What4is4the4purpose4of4NFPA4921?4-4ans-
✔✔To4establish4guidelines4and4recommendations4for4the4safe4and4systematic4investigati
on4or4analysis4of4fire4and4explosion4incidents
What4is4the4Scientific4Method?4-4ans-
✔✔The4systematic4pursuit4of4knowledge4involving4recognition4and4formulation4of4a4probl
em,4the4collection4of4data4through4observation4and4experiment,4and4the4formulation4and4
testing4of4a4hypothesis.4It4is4used4to4determine4Area4of4Origin4and4Cause4of4the4fire
What4is4the4Flash4Point4of4Gasoline?4-4ans-✔✔-364F
What4is4the4Flash4Point4of4Diesel?4-4ans-✔✔1254F
What4is4the4Vapor4Density4of4Methane?4-4ans-✔✔.55-4Lighter4than4air
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What4are4the4reasons4for4investigating4fires?4-4ans-✔✔To4eliminate4reoccurrence
Upgrade4existing4fire4codes
Determine4if4a4criminal4act4took4place
What4is4NFPA49214-4ans-✔✔Guide4for4Fire4and4Explosion4Investigations
What4is4NFPA410334-4ans-
✔✔Standards4for4Professional4Qualifications4for4Fire4Investigation
What4is4NIST?4-4ans-✔✔National4Institute4of4Standards4and4Technology
What4is4CCAI?4-4ans-✔✔California4Conference4of4Arson4Investigators
Subrogation4-4ans-
✔✔The4assumption4of4a4third4party,4such4as4an4insurance4company,4of4another's4legal4ri
ght4to4collect4a4debt4or4damages.
High4Explosive4-4ans-
✔✔An4explosive4that4detonates4at4a4supersonic4velocity4speed4of4greater4than43,3004ft/
sec
Low4Explosive4-4ans-
✔✔An4explosive4that4detonates4at4a4subsonic4velocity4speed4usually4less4than43,3004ft/
sec
Low4Order4Explosive4-4ans-
✔✔An4explosion4where4the4explosive4is4not4completely4consumed.
Flashback4-4ans-
✔✔Reignition4of4flammable4vapors4immediately4following4a4suppression4attempt
Fire4Bomb4-4ans-
✔✔A4breakable4container4filled4with4a4flammable4liquid4with4a4flash4point4of4150F4or4less
4with4a4wick4or4similar4device.
,What4is4a4device?4-4ans-
✔✔Any4arrangement4of4material4used4to4start4a4fire4or4explosion
ANFO4-4ans-✔✔A4highly4explosive4mixture4of4ammonium4nitrate4and4fuel4oil-
4Classified4as4a4Blasting4Agent
What4is4a4Blasting4Agent?4-4ans-
✔✔Any4material4or4mixture4consisting4of4a4fuel4and4an4oxidizer
What4is4Fragmentation4Primary?4-4ans-
✔✔Actual4parts4or4pieces4of4a4bomb4or4improvised4explosive4device
What4is4Fragmentation4Secondary?4-4ans-
✔✔Parts4or4pieces4of4material4other4than4the4explosive4device4that4are4thrown4or4project
ed4by4the4blast
What4is4a4Pyrotechnic?4-4ans-
✔✔A4mixture4of4chemicals,4one4of4which4must4be4an4oxidizer,4designed4to4produce4heat,
4light,4smoke,4gas,4or4noise
Michigan4vs.4Tyler4-4ans-
✔✔Once4a4fire4has4been4extinguished4and4firefighters4have4left4the4premises,4a4warrant4
is4required4to4re-enter4and4search4the4premises
When4is4an4Inspection4Warrant4necessary?4-4ans-✔✔When4the4following4DO4NOT4exist:
Consent
Exigent4Circumstances
Abandonment
No4probable4cause4for4a4criminal4search4warrant
When4re-entry4is4beyond4a4reasonable4time
What4are4the4parts4of4a4Criminal4Investigation?4-4ans-✔✔Scene4Examination
Collection4and4preservation4of4evidence
Interviewing4witnesses
Developing4suspects
Arresting4the4responsible
Presenting4the4case4in4court
The4prosecution4has4the4burden4to4prove4to4the4jury...4-4ans-
✔✔Beyond4a4reasonable4doubt
The4prosecution4must4establish4the4Corpus4Delecti4of4Arson4meaning...4-4ans-
✔✔The4cause4of4the4fire
That4it4was4a4deliberate4and4malicious4act
What4information4is4included4in4a4Curriculum4Vitae?4-4ans-✔✔Current4duties
, Past4positions
Investigative4experiences
Formal4and4vocational4related4educational4training
Certificates
Memberships
Court4experience
Types4of4Crimes4-4ans-✔✔Infraction,4misdemeanor,4felony
Definition4of4Malicious4-4ans-
✔✔A4wish4to4defraud,4annoy,4injure4another4person,4or4intent4to4do4a4wrongful4act
A4person4is4guilty4of44514(Arson)4when...4-4ans-
✔✔They4willfully4and4maliciously4set4fire4to4or4burn4or4cause4to4be4burned4or4who4aids,4c
ounsels,4or4procures4the4burning4of4any4structure,4forestland,4or4property
A4person4is4guilty4of44524(Unlawfully/Recklessly4Causing4a4Fire)4when...4-4ans-
✔✔A4fire4is4recklessly4set4to,4or4burns4or4causes4to4be4burned,4any4structure,4forestland,
4or4personal4property
A4person4is4guilty4of44534(Incendiary4Device)4when...4-4ans-
✔✔They4possess,4manufacture4or4dispose4of4any4flammable4or4combustible4material4wit
h4the4intent4to4willfully4and4maliciously4use4that4material
A4person4is4guilty4of44554(Attempted4Arson)4when...4-4ans-
✔✔They4attempt4to4set4fire4to4or4burn4any4structure,4forestland4or4property
What4is4the4melting4point4of4copper?4-4ans-✔✔Approximately420004F
What4are4Arrow4Patterns?4-4ans-✔✔A4fire4pattern4displayed4on4the4cross-
section4of4a4burned4wooden4structural4member
What4is4the4purpose4of4NFPA4921?4-4ans-
✔✔To4establish4guidelines4and4recommendations4for4the4safe4and4systematic4investigati
on4or4analysis4of4fire4and4explosion4incidents
What4is4the4Scientific4Method?4-4ans-
✔✔The4systematic4pursuit4of4knowledge4involving4recognition4and4formulation4of4a4probl
em,4the4collection4of4data4through4observation4and4experiment,4and4the4formulation4and4
testing4of4a4hypothesis.4It4is4used4to4determine4Area4of4Origin4and4Cause4of4the4fire
What4is4the4Flash4Point4of4Gasoline?4-4ans-✔✔-364F
What4is4the4Flash4Point4of4Diesel?4-4ans-✔✔1254F
What4is4the4Vapor4Density4of4Methane?4-4ans-✔✔.55-4Lighter4than4air