NAFI Fire Investigator Definitions Solved 100%

ABC - Answer American Board of Criminalistics. ABET - Answer Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology. AC - Answer Alternating Current. Accidental Fire Cause - Answer Cause classification for a fire that does not involve a deliberate human act to ignite or spread the fire into an area where the fire should not be. Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) - Answer Organization that provides accreditation, promotion, and advancement of education in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) - Answer Fatal viral disease that is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids from a previously infected individual. Administrative Search Warrant - Answer Court order that allows investigators the right to enter a scene after the fire department has left the scene or to reenter the scene if the investigator arrived while the fire department had control of the scene. AFCI - Answer Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter. AFSA - Answer American Fire Sprinkler Association. Aggregate - Answer Gravel, stone, sand, or other inert materials used in concrete; these materials may be fine or coarse. AHJ - Answer Authority Having Jurisdiction. AIDS - Answer Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Alarm-Initiating Device - Answer Mechanical or electrical device that activates an alarm system. There are three basic types of alarm-initiating devices: manual, products-of-combustion detectors, and extinguishing system activation devices. Alarm System - Answer System by which occupants and/or emergency personnel can be alerted to the existence of a hostile fire. Alpha particle - Answer Particle having a large mass and a positive electrical charge; least penetrating of the three common forms of radioactive substances. It is normally not considered dangerous to plants, animals, or people unless it gets into the body. Alternating Current (AC) Circuit - Answer Electrical circuit in which the current can move through the circuit in both directions and the flow can be constantly reversing. American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) - Answer National peer-review group that certifies forensic scientists in specific disciplines including fire debris analysis. American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) - Answer Nonprofit, international association representing open shop fire sprinkler contractors, dedicated to the educational advancement of its members and promotion of the use of automatic fire sprinkler systems. American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) - Answer Voluntary standards-setting organization that establishes characteristics and performance of materials, products, systems and services; for example the quality of concrete or the flammability of interior finishes. American Wire Gauge (AWG) - Answer Measurement unit for the diameter of wire; larger AWG numbers indicate smaller diameters than smaller AWG numbers; for example, No.14AWGwire is smaller than No. 8AWGwire. Ammeter - Answer Instrument for measuring electric current in amperes. Ampacity - Answer The current-carrying capacity of conductors or equipment, expressed in amperes. Ampere - Answer Basic unit of electrical current that may be abbreviated either by A or I. Amount of current sent by one volt through one ohm of resistance. Annealed Glass - Answer Glass that has slowly cooled during the forming process to relieve internal stresses of the quenching process; most commonly found glass that breaks into large pieces and shards when broken. Arc - Answer High-temperature, luminous electrical discharge across a gap or though a medium such as air, another conductor, or charred insulation. Arc-Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) - Answer Electronic device (generally a part of a circuit breaker) that detects arcing conditions caused by the energized conductor contacting either the neutral conductor or a grounded object. Arc Mapping - Answer Visual documentation of the path of electrical arcs at a scene. Area of Origin - Answer Location (room or area) where the ignition source and material first ignited actually came together for the first time. Arrow Pattern - Answer See Pointer Pattern. Arson - Answer Crime of willfully, maliciously, and intentionally starting a fire (firesetting) or causing an explosion to destroy one's property or the property of another. Precise legal definitions vary among jurisdictions, wherein it is defined by statutes and judicial decisions. Arson Immunity Law - Answer Law stating that insurance companies must release all information and documentation when requested to a public entity when there is reason to suspect a fire under investigation was intentionally set. The released information is considered confidential until it is used in court proceedings and the insurance company that released the information is granted immunity under the law for breaking any confidentiality requirements it may have to its clients. Arson Strike Force - Answer Special purpose, short-term mobilization of a team (or teams) of investigators together with allied resources that applies high intensity investigative efforts to a major arson incident or series of incidents. Arson Task Force - Answer Legal or quasi-legal body or private advisory committee established to set policy and implement new programs based upon information gathered about local arson activity; not investigative units. Artifacts - Answer The remains of materials involved in the fire that are in some way related to ignition, development, or spread of the fire or explosion. Asbestos - Answer Carcinogenic fibrous substance (noncombustible magnesium silicate minerals) used for fireproofing, brake linings, roofing compositions, and other purposes such as insulation and ceiling materials in older buildings. Inhaled asbestos fibers travel to the lungs, causing scaring, reduced lung capacity, and cancer. ASCLD - Answer Association of Crime Laboratory Directors. Asphyxiant - Answer Any substance that prevents oxygen from combining in sufficient quantities with the blood or from being used by body tissues. Association of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD) - Answer Association that provides criteria used to judge whether a facility and its practices provide an atmosphere conducive to the quality of work necessary in the forensic field. ASTM - Answer American Society of Testing and Materials. ATF - Answer Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fire Arms, and Explosives. Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - Answer Term used in codes and standards to identify the legal entity, such as a building or fire official, that has the statutory authority to enforce a code and to approve or require equipment. In the insurance industry it may refer to an insurance rating bureau or an insurance company inspection department. Autoignition - Answer Ignition that occurs when a substance in air, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, is heated sufficiently to initiate or cause self-sustained combustion without an external ignition source. Autoignition Temperature - Answer Same as ignition temperature except that no external ignition source is required for ignition because the material itself has been heated to ignition temperature. The temperature at which autoignition occurs through the spontaneous ignition of the gases or vapor given off by a heated material. Automatic Sprinkler Systems - Answer System of water pipes, discharge nozzles, and control valves designed to activate during fires by automatically discharging enough water to control or extinguish a fire. Also called sprinkler system. Automatic Suppression Systems - Answer Sprinkler, standpipe, carbon dioxide, and halogenated systems, as well as fire pumps, dry chemical agents and their systems, foam extinguishers, and combustible metal agents which sense heat, smoke, or gas and activate automatically. AWG - Answer American Wire Gauge Backdraft - Answer Instantaneous explosion or rapid burning of superheated gases that occurs when oxygen is introduced into an oxygen-depleted confined space. The stalled combustion resumes with explosive force. It may occur because of inadequate or improper ventilation procedures. Very rapid, often explosive burning of hot gases that occurs when oxygen is introduced into an oxygen-depleted confined space. It may occur because of inadequate or improper ventilation procedures. Balloon-Frame Construction - Answer Type of structural framing used in some single-story and multistory wood frame buildings wherein the studs are continuous from the foundation to the roof. There may be no fire stops between the studs. See also Open Web Joist. Bar Joist - Answer Joist constructed of steel with bars in the vertical web space; common structural component in office buildings and other commercial structures. Very high strength-to-weight ratio except when exposed to the heat of a fire; then early failure is likely. Beam - Answer (1) Structural member subjected to loads, usually vertical, perpendicular to its length. (2) Main structural member of a ladder supporting the rungs or rung blocks. Also called Side Rail or Rail. (3) Width of a vessel measured at the widest point. Bench Trial - Answer Court proceeding in which the judge alone acts as the trier of fact. Beta particle - Answer Particle that is about 1/7000 the size of an alpha particle but has more penetrating power. The beta particle has a negative electrical charge. Biological Agent - Answer Viruses, bacteria, or their toxins which are harmful to people, animals, or crops. When used deliberately to cause harm, may be referred to as a Biological Weapon. Bituminous Material - Answer Material that contains tar or asphalt-like materials; includes tar and tar-impregnated papers used in roofing. Blast-Pressure Front - Answer Expanding edge of the pressure in a detonation or deflagration that causes the majority of damage in an explosion. See Also Flame Front. BLEVE - Answer Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion. Bloodborne Pathogens - Answer Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in the human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include (but are not limited to) hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Body Language - Answer Nonverbal communication including but not limited to body posture and gestures; represents a large portion of communication in human interactions. Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE) - Answer Rapid vaporization of a liquid stored under pressure upon release to the atmosphere following major failure of its containing vessel. The failure of the containing vessel is the result of over-pressurization caused by an external heat source causing the vessel to explode into two or more pieces when the temperature of the liquid is well above its boiling point at normal atmospheric pressure. Bounce Flash - Answer Lighting technique used to reduce glare or reflection by pointing the flash at a nearby surface rather than at the subject. Bracing - Answer See Shoring. Bracketing - Answer In photography, taking a photograph at the setting recommended by the camera meter and then manually adjusting the exposure setting one or two fstops above and below the recommended exposure. Branch Circuit - Answer The wiring between the point of application (outlets) and the final overcurrent device protecting the circuit. British Thermal Unit (Btu) - Answer Amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. One Btu = 1.055 kilo joules (kJ). Btu - Answer British Thermal Unit Building Code - Answer Body of local law, adopted by states, counties, cities, or other governmental bodies to regulate the construction, renovation, and maintenance of buildings. Built-Up Membrane Roof - Answer Use of several overlapping layers of roofing felt applied to a roof deck with intervening layers of roofing cement. The layers are then saturated with a bituminous material that may be either tar or asphalt. See also Built-Up Roof. Built-Up Roof - Answer Roof covering made of several alternate layers of roofing paper and tar, with the final layer of tar being covered with pea gravel or crushed slag. Bunker Gear - Answer See Personal Protective Equipment; also referred to as bunker clothes Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) - Answer Division of the U.S. Department of Treasury that regulates the storage, handling, and transportation of explosives. Burning Velocity - Answer Velocity of the flame front in a an explosion relative to the unburned gases ahead of it. CAD - Answer Computer-Aided Design. C.A.F.I. - Answer Canadian Association of Fire Investigators. Calcination - Answer Process of driving free and chemically bound water out of gypsum; also describes chemical and physical changes to the gypsum component itself. Canadian Association of Fire Investigators (C.A.F.I.) - Answer Professional organization for fire investigators in Canada offering training and professional development opportunities. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) - Answer Canadian federal government agency that provides Information and policy development regarding work-related injury, illness prevention initiatives, and occupational health and safety information. Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms - Answer Portion of the Canadian Constitution containing due process clauses for Canada; Section 7 states that "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice." Canadian Electrical Code (CEC®) - Answer Manual providing safety standards for installation of electrical wiring and electrical systems in Canada. Carbon Dioxide (C02) - Answer Colorless, odorless, heavier than air gas that neither supports combustion nor burns. C02 is used in portable fire extinguishers as an extinguishing agent to extinguish Class B or C fires by smothering or displacing the oxygen. C02 is a waste product of aerobic metabolism. Carbon Monoxide (CO) - Answer Colorless, odorless, dangerous gas (both toxic and flammable) formed by the incomplete combustion of carbon. It combines more than 200 times as quickly with hemoglobin as oxygen, thus decreases the blood's ability to carry oxygen. CCOHS - Answer Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. CEC® - Answer Canadian Electrical Code. Ceiling - Answer (1) Height above the ground of the base of the lowest layer of clouds when over half of the sky is obscured. Reported as "broken," "overcast," "obscuration," or "partial obscuration." (2) Nonbearing structural component separating a living/working space from the underside of the floor or roof immediately above. Ceiling Jet - Answer Horizontal movement of a layer of hot gases and combustion by-products from the center point of the plume when the vertical development of the rising plume is redirected by a horizontal surface such as a ceiling. Celsius Scale - Answer Temperature scale on which the freezing point is 0 degrees and the boiling point at sea level is 100 degrees. Also known as Centigrade scale. Central Station Alarm System - Answer System that functions through a constantly attended location (central station) operated by an alarm company. Alarm signals from the protected property are received in the central station and are then retransmitted by trained personnel to the fire department alarm communications center. Central Station Monitoring - Answer Alarm systems that are monitored by a third party (usually a private alarm company) at a constantly attended location (central station) instead of a direct connection. Alarm signals from the protected property are received in the central station and are then retransmitted by trained personnel to the fire department alarm communications center. Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Program (CFEI) - Answer Fire investigator certification program offered by the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) through its National Certification Board in the United States. Certified Fire Investigator Program ( CFI) - Answer Fire investigator certification program offered by the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). CFEI - Answer Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Program. CFI - Answer Certified Fire Investigator Program. Chain of Custody - Answer Continuous changes of possession of physical "evidence" that must be established in court to admit such material into evidence. Char - Answer Carbonaceous material formed by incomplete combustion of an organic material, commonly wood; the remains of burned materials. Char Gauge - Answer Blunt-ended, thin probe similar to dial calipers or tire-tread gauges that is inserted into char blistered to measure the depth of char. Charter Warning - Answer Name for the advisement of rights read to a suspect in Canada; see also Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Miranda Warning. Chemical Chain Reaction - Answer One of the four sides of the fire tetrahedron representing a process occurring during a fire: vapor or gases are distilled from flammable materials during initial burning. Atoms and molecules are released from these vapors and combine with other radicals to form new compounds. These compounds are again disturbed by the heat releasing more atoms and radicals that again form new compounds and so on. Interrupting the chain reaction will stop the overall reaction and is the extinguishing mechanism utilized by several extinguishing agents. Chemical Explosion - Answer Rapid, exothermic reactions in which an ignition source initiates or an increase in temperature self-initiates the explosion and combustion propagates along the blast-pressure front of the reaction in all directions. Chemical Flame Inhibition - Answer The extinguishment of a fire by interruption of the chemical chain reaction. Chemical Heat Energy - Answer Heat produced from a chemical reaction including combustion, spontaneous heating, heat of decomposition, and heat of solution; sometimes occurs as a result of a material being improperly used or stored. Some materials may simply come in contact with each other and react, or they may decompose and generate heat. Chemical Properties - Answer Relating to the way a substance is able to change into other substances. These properties reflect the ability to burn, react, explode, or produce toxic substances hazardous to people or the environment. Chimney - Answer Steep, narrow draws or canyons in which heated air rises rapidly as it would in a flue pipe. Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE) - Answer Widely used synthetic roofing material used in single-ply membrane roofs. Circuit - Answer Complete path of an electrical current. Circuit Breaker - Answer Device (basically an on/off switch) designed to allow a circuit to be opened or closed manually, and to automatically interrupt the flow of electricity in a circuit when it becomes overloaded. Circular-Shaped Pattern - Answer Fire pattern that appears on the undersides of horizontal surfaces such as ceiling s or tables; formed when the plume generated by a fire spreads out across the horizontal surface. Civil Wrong - Answer Any wrongdoing for which an action for damages may be brought; also known as Tort. Class A Fire - Answer Fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and similar materials. Class B Fire - Answer Fires of flammable and combustible liquids and gases such as gasoline, kerosene, and propane. Class C Fire - Answer Fires involving energized electrical equipment. Class D Fire - Answer Fires of combustible metals such as magnesium, sodium, and titanium. Class K Fire - Answer Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats). Commonly occurring in commercial cooking facilities such as restaurants and institutional kitchens. Clean Agent - Answer Fire suppression media that leaves little or no residue when used. Clean-Burn Pattern - Answer Fire pattern found on noncombustible surfaces where there has been direct contact with or intense radiant heat on the surface; the direct flame contact burns away any accumulated soot or smoke deposits on the surface leaving demarcation lines. Codes - Answer A body of laws arranged systematically usually pertaining to one subject area such as a mechanical code, a building code, an electrical code, or a fire code. Collapse Zone - Answer Area beneath a wall in which the wall is likely to land if it loses structural integrity. Colorimetric Tube - Answer Small tubes that change colors when air that is contaminated with a particular substance is drawn through them. Also known as detector tube. Column - Answer Vertical supporting member. Combination Detector - Answer Alarm-initiating device that is capable of detecting an abnormal condition by more than one means. The most common combination detector is the fixed-temperature/rate-of-rise heat detector. Combustible Gas Detectors - Answer Indicates the explosive levels of combustible gases. Combustible Liquid - Answer Liquid having a flash point at or above 100°F (37.8°C) and below 200°F (93.3°C). Also see Flammable Liquid. Combustion - Answer An exothermic chemical reaction that is a self-sustaining process of rapid oxidation of a fuel, that produces heat and light. Commodity Flowcharting - Answer Portrays the movement of a tangible item, such as money or stolen property, through a system. Comparison Sample - Answer Evidence collected from undamaged areas or materials to offer a comparison of undamaged materials to like materials damaged by a fire. Compartment - Answer Interior space (room) of a vessel; numbered from forward to aft with odd numbers on starboard side and even numbers on port side. Compartmentation - Answer The series of barriers designed to keep flames, smoke, and heat from spreading from one room or floor to another. Composite Materials - Answer Plastics, metals, ceramics, or carbon-fiber materials with built-in strengthening agents. Compression - Answer Those vertical and/or horizontal forces that tend to push the mass of a material together. For example, the force exerted on the top chord of a truss. Computer-Aided Design (CAD) - Answer Computer technology used to design, draw, or draft technical products, rooms, or entire buildings in two or three dimensions; it is also used to create animations from static drawings and convert existing drawings and diagrams into computer models. Concealed Space - Answer Any structural void that is not readily visible from a living/working space within a building such as areas between walls or partitions, ceilings and roofs, and floors and basement ceilings through which fire may spread undetected; also includes soffits and other enclosed vertical or horizontal shafts through which fire may spread. Concrete - Answer Strong, hard building material produced from a mixture of portland cement and an aggregate filler/binder to which water is added to form a wet, moldable slurry that sets into a rigid building material. In structural concrete, the filler/binder is usually sand and/or gravel. The aggregates used in concrete are inert mineral ingredients that reduce the amount of cement that otherwise would be needed. Lightweight concrete, used as sound-proofing material, may use sand and/or vermiculite. Fireproof, watertight, and comparatively inexpensive to make. Concrete Block - Answer Also known as concrete masonry units (CMU). The most commonly used concrete block is the hollow concrete block. Conduction - Answer Physical flow or transfer of heat energy from one body to another through direct contact or an intervening medium from the point where the heat is produced to another location or from a region of high temperature to a region of low temperature. Conductivity - Answer The ability of a substance to conduct an electrical current. Conductor - Answer Substance or material that transmits electrical or thermal energy. Consent - Answer In terms of legal right of entry, refers to the granting of access to a scene by the lawful owner of the property where the incident occurred; consent is a courtesy on the part of the private property owner and as such may be withheld at any time. Conservation of Energy - Answer Law of physics that states that the total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant. As a result, energy cannot be created or destroyed. Contamination - Answer General term referring to anything that can taint physical evidence. Contractual Entry - Answer Legal entry to a scene by those with a privately defined jurisdiction such as private investigators representing an insurance company that insures the property where the incident occurred. Convection - Answer Transfer of heat by the movement of heated fluids or gases, usually in an upward direction. Coroner - Answer Official chiefly responsible for investigating deaths, particularly some of those happening under unusual circumstances, and determining the cause of death; see also Medical examiner. Courts of Queen's Bench - Answer Term referring to the court system in Canada that is the equivalent of the federal court system in the United States. CPE - Answer chlorinated polyethylene. Crazing - Answer Formation of patterns of short cracks throughout a pane of glass, such as windows and mirrors, from the heat of fire. It is thought to be the result of heating of one side of a pane while the other side remains cool. Crime Concealment Fire - Answer Intentionally set fire intended to destroy evidence of another crime such as a homicide or burglary. Criminal Search Warrant - Answer Warrant issued with the intent of collecting evidence specifically to prove that a fire or explosion was intentionally set; issued when an administrative search leads to an investigator having probable cause that an arson or other crime was committed. Cross-Contamination - Answer Evidence in one location at the scene that is moved to another location at the scene. Current - Answer The rate of electrical flow in a conductor. Measured in amperes. Curtain Wall - Answer Nonbearing exterior wall attached to the outside of a building with a rigid steel frame. Usually the front exterior wall of a building intended to provide a certain appearance. Dangerous Goods - Answer Any product, substance, or organism included by its nature or by the regulation in any of the nine United Nations classifications of hazardous materials. Used to describe hazardous materials in Canada and used in the U.S. and Canada for hazardous materials aboard aircraft. DC - Answer Direct Current. Dead Load - Answer Weight of the structure, structural members, building components, and any other feature permanently attached to the building that is constant and immobile. Load on a structure due to its own weight and other fixed weights. Decay Stage - Answer Final stage of fire development in which a fire becomes either fuel or ventilation controlled and begins to self-extinguish. Defendant - Answer Party accused of alleged wrongdoing in a civil proceeding. In a criminal proceeding, the party accused of a felony (indictable offense). Deflagration - Answer (1) Chemical reaction producing vigorous heat and sparks or flame and moving through the material (as black or smokeless powder) at less than the speed of sound. A major difference among explosives is the speed of the reaction. (2) Can also refer to intense burning; a characteristic of Class B explosives. (3) An explosion involving a chemical reaction in which the reaction (energy front) proceeds at less than the speed of sound. Deluge Sprinkler System - Answer Fire-suppression system that consists of piping and open sprinklers. A fire detection system is used to activate the water or foam control valve. When the system activates, the extinguishing agent expels from all sprinkler heads in the designated area. See Also Preaction Sprinkler System Density - Answer Weight per unit of volume of a substance. The density of any substance is obtained by dividing the weight by the volume. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Answer U.S. agency that has the missions of preventing terrorist attacks, reducing vulnerability to terrorism, and minimizing damage from potential attacks and natural disasters; includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and others. Deposition - Answer Process during which the witness answers questions under oath posed by the attorneys for each party. Not specifically delineated as a separate portion of discovery in Canada. Depth of Calcination - Answer Measurement of the depth of fire damage in gypsum board. Depth of Char - Answer Measurement of the depth of fire damage in wood. Depth of Field - Answer Range that is in focus in front of and behind the subject of a photograph. Detector tubes - Answer See Colorimetric Tubes. Detonation - Answer (1) Supersonic thermal decomposition, which is accompanied by a shock wave in the decomposing material. (2) Explosion with an energy front that travels faster than the speed of sound. DHS - Answer Department of Homeland Security.