Fire Investigator AFC September 2024 TEST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2024

What are the reasons for investigating fires? To eliminate reoccurrence Upgrade existing fire codes Determine if a criminal act took place What is NFPA 921 Provides procedures, methodologies, and information necessary to meet the job requirements for fire investigators. What is NFPA 1033 Standards for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigation Is NFPA 1033 a Guide or Standard? It is a Standard How often is NFPA 1033 Revised? It is revised every 5 years. Investigator should be aware of information concerning: Air quality. What is NIST? National Institute of Standards and Technology Subrogation The assumption of a third party, such as an insurance company, of another's legal right to collect a debt or damages. Flashback Reignition of flammable vapors immediately following a suppression attempt Fire Bomb 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? Any arrangement of material used to start a fire or explosion What is Fragmentation Primary? Actual parts or pieces of a bomb or improvised explosive device What is Fragmentation Secondary? Parts or pieces of material other than the explosive device that are thrown or projected by the blast What is a Pyrotechnic? A mixture of chemicals, one of which must be an oxidizer, designed to produce heat, light, smoke, gas, or noise U.S. Supreme Court held that once in a building [to extinguish a fire], firefighters may seize [without a warrant] evidence of arson that is in plain view. Per what case? Michigan vs Tyler (1978) Michigan vs Clifford (1984) stressed the importance of what? Stressed importance of following proper search warrant procedures to ensure admissibility of evidence in court The prosecution must establish the Corpus Delecti of Arson meaning... The cause of the fire That it was a deliberate and malicious act When is an Inspection Warrant necessary? 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? 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... Beyond a reasonable doubt What is the temperature of cigarette embers from puffing? F What information is included in a Curriculum Vitae? Current duties Past positions Investigative experiences Formal and vocational related educational training Certificates Memberships Court experience Types of Crimes Infraction, misdemeanor, felony Definition of Malicious A wish to defraud, annoy, injure another person, or intent to do a wrongful act What is the melting point of copper? Approximately 2000 F What are Arrow Patterns? A fire pattern displayed on the cross-section of a burned wooden structural member What is the purpose of NFPA 921? To establish guidelines and recommendations for the safe and systematic investigation or analysis of fire and explosion incidents What is the Scientific Method? 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? -36 F What is the Flash Point of Diesel? 125 F What is the Vapor Density of Methane? .55- Lighter than air What is the Vapor Density of Propane? 1.52- Heavier than air What is the Vapor Density of Carbon Monoxide? .96- Lighter than air What are the Wood Pyrolysis Zones? 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? 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? 338 F What is the Melting Point of Glass? 1350 F What is the Melting Point of Aluminum? 1221 F What are the steps of the Scientific method? Identify the Problem Define the Problem Collect Data Analyze Data Develop Hypothesis Test Hypothesis Select Final Hypothesis