NAFI Certified Fire Investigator Exam Questions With Correct Answers

What are the reasons for investigating fires? - Answer To eliminate reoccurrence Upgrade existing fire codes Determine if a criminal act took place What is NFPA 921 - Answer Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations What is NFPA 1033 - Answer Standards for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigation What is NIST? - Answer National Institute of Standards and Technology What is CCAI? - Answer California Conference of Arson Investigators Subrogation - Answer The assumption of a third party, such as an insurance company, of another's legal right to collect a debt or damages. High Explosive - Answer An explosive that detonates at a supersonic velocity speed of greater than 3,300 ft/sec Low Explosive - Answer An explosive that detonates at a subsonic velocity speed usually less than 3,300 ft/sec Low Order Explosive - Answer An explosion where the explosive is not completely consumed. Flashback - Answer Reignition of flammable vapors immediately following a suppression attempt Fire Bomb - Answer 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? - Answer Any arrangement of material used to start a fire or explosion ANFO - Answer A highly explosive mixture of ammonium nitrate and fuel oil- Classified as a Blasting Agent What is a Blasting Agent? - Answer Any material or mixture consisting of a fuel and an oxidizer What is Fragmentation Primary? - Answer Actual parts or pieces of a bomb or improvised explosive device What is Fragmentation Secondary? - Answer Parts or pieces of material other than the explosive device that are thrown or projected by the blast What is a Pyrotechnic? - Answer A mixture of chemicals, one of which must be an oxidizer, designed to produce heat, light, smoke, gas, or noise Michigan vs. Tyler - Answer 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? - Answer 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? - Answer 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... - Answer Beyond a reasonable doubt The prosecution must establish the Corpus Delecti of Arson meaning... - Answer The cause of the fire That it was a deliberate and malicious act What information is included in a Curriculum Vitae? - Answer Current duties Past positions Investigative experiences Formal and vocational related educational training Certificates Memberships Court experience Types of Crimes - Answer Infraction, misdemeanor, felony Definition of Malicious - Answer A wish to defraud, annoy, injure another person, or intent to do a wrongful act A person is guilty of 451 (Arson) when... - Answer 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 Fire) when... - Answer A fire is recklessly set to, or burns or causes to be burned, any structure, forestland, or personal property A person is guilty of 453 (Incendiary Device) when... - Answer They possess, manufacture or dispose of any flammable or combustible material with the intent to willfully and maliciously use that material A person is guilty of 455 (Attempted Arson) when... - Answer They attempt to set fire to or burn any structure, forestland or property What is the melting point of copper? - Answer Approximately 2000 F What are Arrow Patterns? - Answer A fire pattern displayed on the cross-section of a burned wooden structural member What is the purpose of NFPA 921? - Answer To establish guidelines and recommendations for the safe and systematic investigation or analysis of fire and explosion incidents What is the Scientific Method? - Answer The systematic pursuit of knowledge involving recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of a hypothesis. It is used to determine Area of Origin and Cause of the fire What is the Flash Point of Gasoline? - Answer -36 F What is the Flash Point of Diesel? - Answer 125 F What is the Vapor Density of Methane? - Answer .55- Lighter than air What is the Vapor Density of Propane? - Answer 1.52- Heavier than air What is the Vapor Density of Carbon Monoxide? - Answer .96- Lighter than air What are the Wood Pyrolysis Zones? - Answer Less than 392 F- Insufficient Heat to Ignite 392 F- 536 F- Beginning of Char 536 F- 932 F- Rapid Pyrolysis Greater than 932 F- Free Burning What is Pyrolysis? - Answer The thermal or chemical decomposition of fuel. Heat energy is absorbed by the fuel and gives off flammable gases. What is the Melting point of Plastic? - Answer 338 F What is the Melting Point of Glass? - Answer 1350 F What is the Melting Point of Aluminum? - Answer 1221 F What are the steps of the Scientific method? - Answer Identify the Problem Define the Problem Collect Data Analyze Data Develop Hypothesis Test Hypothesis Select Final Hypothesis What is a Code? - Answer A standard that is an extensive compilation of provisions which is suitable to be adopted into law What is an accelerant? - Answer A fuel or oxidizer used to initiate fire What is Char? - Answer Carbonaceous material that has been burned or pyrolyzed and has a blackened appearance What is a Combustible Liquid (Flammable)? - Answer Any liquid that has a closed cup flash point at or above 100 F What is Combustion? - Answer A chemical process of oxidation that occurs at a rate fast enough to produce heat and usually light in the form of glow or flame What is an explosion? - Answer The sudden conversion of potential energy into kinetic energy with the production and release of gases under pressure What are common electrical wiring colors? - Answer Black- Hot White- Neutral Green (or Bare)- Grounding Conductor All other colors are additional "Hot" wires What is the Penal Code for Terrorism? - Answer 11413- Use of a destructive device or explosive or Arson in certain places, ie. Public Buildings and Assemblies What was the study commissioned by Congress to address Arson? - Answer America Burning What does the NIST Fire Research Division do? - Answer They develop, verify, and utilize measurements and predictive methods to quantify the behavior of fire and the means to reduce the impact of fire on people, property, and the environment A Fire Investigator should maintain proficiency and remain current in... - Answer Fire Investigation Methodology Fire Protection Technology Code Requirements What years was NFPA 921 published? - Answer 1992, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 What are Exigent Circumstances? - Answer Fire officers may remain on scene for a reasonable time to investigate the cause. Additional entries with consent must be made through a warrant. What is the definition of an Expert Witness? - Answer A person with special skills, training, experience, or education on a particular subject of Arson. Used to help the judge and jury understand complex issues that are beyond the scope of the average person. What is an Inspection Warrant? - Answer An order, in writing, in the name of the people, signed by a judge, directing a state or local official to conduct any inspection relating to Buildings, Fire, Safety, etc. It should be accompanied by an affidavit, directing the subject to inspected and why. It is good for no more than 14 days It cannot be issued between 6:00pm and 8:00am.