NFPA publication used to record fire investigative field notes
NFPA 906
Before release of information to the public, approval should be obtained by whom?
Public information officer or local fire marshal
Read the following statements and select your answer:
Statement 1: A physical barrier provides scene security.
Statement 2: A physical barrier provides a starting place for the scene search.
Statement 3: Rope, traffic cones, or market barrier tape can be used to create a physical barrier.
A) All three statements are true
Spontaneous heating
Heating of an organic substance without an external heat source
Prime hazard of an oxidizer under fire conditions
Yield oxygen to enhance combustion
Heat can travel through a burning building by one or more of three methods, commonly referred to as:
Conduction, radiation, and convection
Fire investigator should be extremely cautious when:
There is lack of physical evidence to support the cause of an incendiary fire; or using subjective opinions to support the cause of an incendiary fire.
To formulate an opinion of the person who is setting fires, one should look at three principal trends:
Materials and method, temporal frequency, and geographic area
Arson motive that commonly involves using only fuels incidental to the scene as opposed to accelerants brought along by the perpetrator:
Vandalism
Motive
The cause, reason, or incentive that induces specific behavior.
Intent
Performed with malice to destroy property.
Timed opportunity
An act that coincides with another circumstance permitting successful destruction of property.
Temporal frequency
The setting of fires at a particular time and day of the week.
Incendiary fire
A deliberately set fire
Trailers
A distribution of a fuel from one area to another
Delay devices
Used to set fires over a longer period of time for alibi/scene escape
Unusual fire load
A large amount of flammables arranged to support fire growth and development
Motive that accounts for the largest percent of total arson problem
Revenge
Best suited location for an arsonist's destructive goal
Basement
Sophisticated timing and ignition devices are most likely to be used when the motive for arson is:
Terrorism
Read the following statements and select your answer:
1: Open doors are the most common method of fire travel through a structure.
2: Sabotage to fire or smoke doors can increase fire and smoke spread througout a structure.
3: Stairway doors propped open are always a good indicator of sabotage.
B) 1 and 2 are true and 3 is false
Type of sabotage to fire protection systems that will require determining the design limitations of the systems
Setting multiple fires
Accidental
Not a deliberate act
Natural
No human intervention
Undetermined
Cause cannot be proven
Incendiary
Deliberate act
An accidental fire is one:
Where the proven cause does not involve a deliberate human act
The cause of a fire may be classified as:
Accidental, natural, incendiary, or undetermined
Motive for arson that juveniles and adolescents are most likely to have:
Excitement, attention, or recognition
8 gauge wire
40 amps
10 gauge wire
30 amps
12 gauge wire
20 amps
14 gauge wire
15 amps
In conducting a fire investigation where electricity is suspected of being the cause, the investigator should examine the service panel for all of the following except:
A) color coding of conductors
If a section of wire between the suspected area and the supply can be found, the condition of the ___________ can provide some useful information.
Conductor
Electrical heat energy in the form of an arc between oppositely charged conductors best defines:
Static electricity
Heat that is created by passing an electrical force through a conductor defines:
Resistance heating
Long-lived events in which the fault current is not high enough to trip the circuit overcurrent protection is called:
High resistance faults
Arc
High temperature luminous electric discharge across a gap or through a medium
Parting arcs
Brief discharge that occurs as an energized electrical path is opened while current is flowing
Sparks
Luminous particles that can be formed when an arc melts metal and spatters particles away from the point of arcing
Static electricity
Stationary charge that builds upon some objects
An abnormal connection of low resistance between normal circuit conductors where the resistance is normally much greater is called a(n):
Short circuit
The search of an explosion scene requires that the searchers be briefed in the proper procedures for identifying, logging, photographing, __________, and ____________ the location of the evidence.
marking, mapping
Recognition
Assessment of blast damage (location, intensity, and direction)
Recovery
Collecting, documenting, and preserving evidence
Reassembly
Piecing the device or mechanism together
Reconstruction
Drawing a "picture" of the scenario
The ignitability of any dust-air mixture is based on:
Size of particles, impurities in the mixture, and strength of ignition source
Combustible dusts present a unique hazard because of their ability to form _________ mixtures within an enclosure.
Explosive
Two major types of explosions with which investigators are routinely involved are:
Mechanical and chemical
The terms __________-order and ___________-order have been used to characterize explosion damage.
Low, high
Gases with vapor density of less than one will:
Rise and concentrate at the high points of confinement
__________ diagrams can be used to show the direction of fire travel.
Vector
The type of diagram that uses arrows to depict an investigator's interpretation of flame or heat spread is commonly referred to as a(n) __________ diagram.
Vector
The most common hazard associated with cooking equipment is:
The potential for ignition of nearby combustibles
The purpose of fire scene reconstruction is to recreate as nearly as possible the state that existed prior to the fire, allowing the investigator to:
Make a more accurate origin analysis
1. The flame temperatures of an oxygen/gas mixture are always above the ignition temperature of common combustibles.
2. Gas appliances are probably less often the cause of fires than is generally assumed.
3. Only the combination of a fire pattern near the appliance and the finding of a malfunction, improper installation, or defect can be considered as proof of it being the fire's origin.
B) All three statements are true
One way in which a gas furnace or dryer is likely to initiate a fire:
Simultaneous failure of the thermostat and the high limit control
When the area of origin is identified, all potential ignition sources should be:
Located and identified
Which statement about "V" patterns is correct?
C) The value of these patterns lies in the direction of spread that they depict, not what caused them.
The inspection and evaluation of the fire scene for the determination process and location of the point or area of origin involves the coordination of information derived from:
A hypothesized analysis of the physics and chemistry of the fire, witness statements, and observations of the physical marks left by the fire
Constructing a depth-of-char grid diagram and plotting on graph paper to show points of equal char depths may display:
Identifiable lines of demarcation
The preliminary scene assessment of how a fire spreads through a structure is developed by noting the areas of _________ and ___________, and attempting to track the fire _________.
Lesser destruction, greater destruction, back to its point of origin
A fire investigator should begin searching for the area of origin by examining:
The exterior of the fire scene first
The lead agency during a terrorist emergency (crisis management) is the:
FBI
Upon arrival at a hazardous material incident involving a truck, you locate the 4-digit ID number on an orange panel. You should look first in the Emergency Response Guidebook for guidance in the:
Yellow bordered section
When using the Emergency Response Guidebook, the next step the first responder should follow after learning a material's 3-digit guide number is to:
Go to the orange bordered section
In the ERG, a first responder would expect to find the highlighted entries indicating that a material is either a toxic inhalation hazard or a dangerous water reactive material in the:
Yellow and blue bordered sections
Upon arrival to a hazardous material incident involving a truck, you learn it is carrying magnesium scrap. You are unable to obtain the 4-digit ID number. Where should you look first in the ERG for guidance?
In the blue bordered material index section
The isolation distance in the numbered guides is to be used:
Once the 3 digit guide number has been obtained through the ID number or material name indexes.
First responders trained to the Awareness level have the ability to:
Realize the need for additional resources and make the appropriate notifications.
The mission of the first responder trained to the awareness level includes all of the following except:
B) Surveying the incident from a close proximity to determine the identity of the material involved.
If, in using the ERG, a first responder discovers the entry for the material in question is highlighted and there is no fire involved, the first responder should go directly to the:
Green bordered section
When providing emergency medical care to victims of a hazardous materials incident:
The patient should be removed from the contaminated area at which time basic care and decontamination can begin.
Upon arriving on the scene of a 55 gallon drum leaking an unknown liquid, you notice a flammable liquid placard. After referring to your ERG, you are directed to guide number 127. You would expect to find the Emergency Action for a spill or leak in the section which is bordered:
Orange
The Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances in the ERG is divided into "small spills" and "large spills." The DOT defines a small spill as a leaking container, smaller than:
55 gallons
A first responder must refer to the Table of Initial Isolation and Protective Action Distances in the ERG:
Whenever the material entry in the Idenification Number and Name Indexes is highlighted and fire is not involved.
Of the following, which are the prescribed shapes of the recommended initial isolation and protective action zones?
C) A circle for the initial isolation zone with an elongation of it downwind side for the protective action zone.
One of the roles of the first responder at the awareness level during a Hazmat incident is to:
Isolate the area
Of the following, which is not a responsibility of the individual trained to the awareness level?
B) Establish the decon corridor
Typical ignition sources found at the scene of a hazardous material incident would include all of the following except:
B) Chemical light sticks
Copies of the local emergency response plan (LERP) must be made available to:
All first responders
The route of exposure that is the most commonly associated with causing ill effects, both acute and chronic, is:
Inhalation
__________ is the process of taking in materials through the skin or eyes.
Absorption
The colleciton of evidence at a terrorist event is primarily the responsibility of:
Law enforcement
Thermal hazard
Excessive heat or excessive cold
Asphyxiation hazard
Can lead to suffication and may be either simple or chemical
Etiological hazard
Exposure to a micro-organism or its toxin
Which of the following is/are potential ignition sources found at the scenes of hazardous materials incidents?
D) All of the above
Of the 62 guides found in the orange bordered section of the ERG, only two, Guides 161 and 162, (low level and low to moderate level radiation) list _________ as providing adequate protection for first responders.
SCBA and structural firefighter's protective clothing
Scene control at a terrorism incident may present unique challenges for the responders. In particular, responders must be aware that:
The terrorist may be on scene waiting for responders to arrive before striking again.
When determining initial isolation distances for incidents involving explosive devices, it is best for responders to:
Understand that recommended isolation distances should be considered only as a guide.
Isolate hazard area and deny entry
Keeping everyone not directly involved in the emergency operation away from the affected area
Evacuate
Moving everyone from a threatened area to a safer area
In-place protection
Having people remain inside a building rather than moving them to another area.
The general routes of entry for human exposure to hazardous materials are:
Inhalation, ingestion, absorption, and injection.
The statement: "People inside a building should remain inside until the danger passes," best describes:
Shelter in place
The recommended shape of the initial isolation zone around a chemical spill or release is:
Circular
When using the Table of Isolation Distances in the ERG, a large spill is defined as a quanity greater than:
55 gallons
One resource that deals with protective action distances involving poisonous gas, is the:
DOT Emergency Response Guidebook
The recommended course of action for fighting a small fire involving a substance identified by the UN/NA ID number 2553 would be found in the _________ section of the ERG.
Orange
If a numbered guide for a transported hazardous material cannot be obtained by following the three steps outlined on page 1 of the DOT ERG, the first responder should:
See if the placard is visible, refer to the Table of Placards section of the Guidebook.
Which section of the ERG provides the fire, explosion, and health hazard information for the material identified by the first responder?
Orange
The DOT Hazard Class 9 consists of:
Miscellaneous
The DOT Hazard Class 7 consists of:
Radioactive substances
The DOT Hazard Class 6 consists of:
Poisons
The DOT Hazard Class 5 consists of:
Oxidizers
The DOT Hazard Class 4 consists of:
Flammable solids
The DOT Hazard Class 3 consists of:
Flammable liquids
The DOT Hazard Class 2 consists of:
Gases
The DOT Hazard Class 1 consists of:
Explosives
Using the DOT ERG, the hazard class number assigned for vinyl chloride with the ID #1086 is:
2
The chemicals listed in highlighted type in the ERG were selected because:
They present a poison inhalation hazard.
When referring to the ERG, if a chemical name is not highlighted, the next step is to preceed to the _________ section.
Orange
If a chemical name is highlighted in the ERG, the table of initial isolation and protective action distances are found in the _________ section.
Green
If a placard is visible, but no product name or four digit UN number is given, how can you determine which guide page of the ERG to use?
The table of placards lists guide numbers.
The DOT Hazard Class 8 consists of:
Corrosives
The primary hazard of a DOT Hazard Class 5 material is:
Oxidation
1: A Material Safety Data Sheet provides the name the chemical company uses to identify the product.
2: The product name is not always identical to the chemical name, as listed on a MSDS.
3: The listing of product names, chemical names, and synonyms on MSDS can make identifying chemicals sometimes confusing.
C) All three are true.
T/F: Hazardous materials that are manufactured, stored, processed, or used at a particular site are not subject to regulations affecting transported materials.
True
The complexity of transport regulations is compounded by several agencies having overlapping responsibilities. All of the following agencies are involved in the regulation of hazardous materials and/or wastes except the:
B) CHEMTREC
1: The blue section of the ERG lists the shipping names of hazardous materials.
2: Shipping names are always identical to the chemical names of materials.
3: It is important to know the proper spelling of the shipping name of a material before referencing the ERG.
B) 1 and 3 are true; 2 is false
Which of the following examples of hazardous materials would be classified and placarded Class 9 during transportation?
C) Molten sulfur, PCBs
Cylindrical or box-like cask packaging made of rigid metal that is designed for performance under hypothetical accident conditions best describes Type ________ radioactive packaging.
B
Which of the following would not be used to determine the name of a hazardous material located in a facility?
A) NFPA 704 diamond
Given the product name, you can find the four digit UN/DOT number assigned by referencing all the following except:
B) NFPA 704
1: Examples of nerve agents are sarin, soman, and V agent.
2: Nerve agents were designed with only one purpose in mind: to kill people
3: Nerve agents are very effective due to their high vapor pressure, which allows them to readily vaporize.
B) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
1: Biological agents are very easy for terrorist to distribute effectively.
2: The two most popular biological agents among terrorist are anthrax and ricin.
3: Biological agents are the easiest warfare agent classification for terrorists to make.
D) 2 and 3 are true; 1 is false
1: Victims have lost control of their bowels - you suspect a nerve agent.
2: Victims complain of not feeling well after inhaling an airborne white powder a few days earlier - you suspect a biological agent.
3: Victims are exhibiting pinpoint pupils, runny noses and difficulty breathing - you suspect a biological agent.
A) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
Using the nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) classification, which of the following is not considered a chemical warfare agent?
D) Ricin
Which of the following are signs and symptoms of exposure to a nerve agent at a Hazmat or suspected terrorism incident?
D) Loss of bladder control and vomitting
1: Federal public buildings are prime targets for terrorist attacks.
2: Social Security buildings would be an exception to 1.
3: Virtualy all terrorist attacks are directed toward public buildings.
C) 1 is true; 2 and 3 are false
Blister agents belong in which category of warfare agents under the CBRNE classification?
Chemical
The acronym SLUDGEM is used to describe the signs and symptoms of exposure to which of the warfare agents?
Nerve agents
1: Nerve agents were designed for one purpose: to kill people.
2: Blood and choking agents, while being terrorism agents, are also common industrial chemicals.
3: Biological agents are the easiest of the categories of warfare agents to make.
B) All three statements are true
Easiest biological or chemical agent for a terrorist to make:
Ricin
Using the NBC classification, which of the following is not considered a biological warfare agent?
C) Soman
In the course of extinguishing a small fire in an unoccupied house, you discover the presence of chemicals and lab equipment, an indicator of possible illegal activity. According to statistics, the most likely illegal activity occurring is:
Drug making
While extinguishing a small fire in an unoccupied house, you discover a lab setup and numerous types of raw materials. There is particularly a large amount of powders. What type of illegal activity might be occurring here?
Explosive manufacturing
You arrived on the scene of an incident involving an explosion. People in the immediate vicinity are all experiencing runny noses and difficulty breathing. Some are having convulsions. You suspect a terrorist incident involving a:
Nerve agent
The senses which are acceptable for use in hazmat detection are:
Vision and hearing
1: There are numerous informal ways to recognize the presence of hazardous materials.
2: Using the senses of sight, sound, and odor is one of the informal ways of recognizing the presence of hazardous materials.
3: Using the human senses indiscriminately to detect the presence of hazardous materials, while fairly reliable, is unsafe.
A) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
Which of the following is not an indication of a physical action?
C) Wavy vapors over water surfaces
Where would a first responder expect to find an air bill?
Cockpit
Where would a first responder expect to find a waybill or consist?
Engine or caboose
Where would a first responder expect to find a dangerous cargo manifest?
Bridge or pilot house
Who is responsible for care and control of an air bill?
Pilot
Who is responsible for care and control of a dangerous cargo manifest?
Captain or master
Who is responsible for care and control of a bill of lading?
Driver
Air bill - mode of transport
Air
Bill of lading - mode of transport
Highway
Dangerous cargo manifest - mode of transport
Water
Waybill/consist - mode of transport
Rail
Person responsible for shipping papers during air transport:
Pilot
Person responsible for shipping paper during rail transport:
Conductor
Person responsible for shipping papers during highway transport:
Driver
Person responsible for shipping papers during water transport:
Captain or master
Bill of lading - location
Cab of vehicle
Waybill/consist - location
Engine or caboose
Dangerous cargo manifest - location
Wheelhouse, bridge or pipe-like container (on a barge)
Air bill - location
Cockpit
1: When carrying hazardous materials, a transportation mode must carry shipping papers.
2: Shipping papers may include a packing group number listed as I, II, or III.
3: The higher the packing group number, the more dangerous the chemical.
A) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
1: If placards are clearly displayed on the transportation mode, shipping papers are not required.
2: If a transportation mode is not carrying hazardous materials, there is no requirement for specific information to be provided on shipping papers.
3: Shipping papers must contain the proper name of the chemical or its hazard class.
A) 2 and 3 are true; 1 is false
Of the following, which is the quickest available source of MSDS for first responders at a hazmat emergency?
C) CHEMTREC
Which of the following agencies regulates pipelines that carry hazardous materials across state borders, navigable waterways, and federal lands?
C) DOT
Where are pipeline owners required to place pipeline markings (and first responders can expect to find them)?
At any place the underground pipline crosses a mode of transportation
The manufacturing and labeling of pesticides is regulated by:
EPA
1: EPA labels on pesticides must contain one of the signal words DANGER/POISON, WARNING, or CAUTION.
2: The word WARNING is used on labeling for packages containing highly toxic materials.
3: The signal words EXTREMELY FLAMMABLE are also displayed if package contents have a flash point below 80oF
C) 1 and 3 are true; 2 is false
1: In urban or suburban locales, hazardous materials can be found in service stations, hardware stores, and doctor's offices.
2: In rural areas, hazardous materials can be found in agricultural stores or co-ops, farm buildings, and residences.
3: The size of a community determines the potential for hazardous materials.
B) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
With respect to the U.S. Military Marking System for Hazardous Materials, which of the following is not one of the three special hazard symbols?
A) Apply No Dry Chemical (fire extinguisher discharging chemical onto a fire with a diagonal slash within a circle)
Hazardous Material
A substance or material, including a hazardous substance, that has been determined by the Secretary of Transportation to be capable of posing an unresonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce
Hazardous Waste
Any material that is subject to the Hazardous Waste Manifest Requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Hazardous Chemical
Any chemical that is a physical hazard or health hazard
Extremely Hazardous Substance
Any chemical that must be reported to the appropriate authorities if released above the threshold report quanity
Factors that should raise your awareness of possible terrorism involvement:
Occupancy or location
Type of event
Timing of event
On-scene warning signs
Some of the on-scene warning signs that may be present in a terrorist event involving chemical or biological agents are:
Unexplained patterns of illnesses or death
Unexplained signs and symptoms of skin, eye, or airway irritation
Recognizable odors and/or taste
Unexplained vapor clouds, mist, and plumes
Occupancy or location types that would be considered a possible target for terrorism:
Symbolic and historic sites
Controversial businesses
Public buildings or assembly areas
Infrastructure systems
Which of the following events should raise your awareness of possible terrorism involvement?
D) Non-trauma mass casualty incident
Which of the following is not required on a pipeline marker?
C) Pipeline depth underground
In general, as compared to the standard emergency incident faced by a first responder, a Haz Mat incident will:
Be more complex
In which of the following locations would you expect to encounter hazardous materials?
D) All of the above
Which of the following is not a signal word found on pesticide labels?
A) Toxic
Danger
High toxicity
Caution
Relatively low toxicity
Warning
Moderate toxicity
Shipping papers are referred to as __________ and usually stored __________, in air transport.
Air bills; in the cockpit
The person responsible for control of the air bill papers is the:
Pilot
During transport, the party responsible for the waybill should be the:
Conductor
Toxic substances that are living materials or are obtained from living organisms are called:
Biological agents
During the recognition and identification of a facility, the firefighter should utilize the NFPA 704 system to identify the:
Flammability of the material
__________ is placed on highway transport vehicles to identify the contents.
A placard
A tractor trailer hauling gasoline should display a placard with the Hazard Class:
Red; 3
During a suspected terrorist event, the outward warning indicator(s) that responders should be alert to is/are:
Strong chemical odors without apparent reason
Unexplained patterns of illness or death
Unusual containers that are out-of-place with the surroundings
A substance that readily yields oxygen to support combustion of fuels would be labeled __________ under the UN Labeling System.
5
The number __________ would be shown in the Flammability Quadrant of the NFPA 704 System for a material that must be moderately heated before ignition can occur and on which water spray may be used to extinguish a fire.
2
A document developed by the manufacturer listing specific hazards of a product is called:
The Materials Safety Data Sheet
Under SARA Title III, some facilities are required to have MSDS information. The primary consideration in determining whether a facility is required to have MSDS information is whether the facility:
Has chemicals that are not consumer quantities
According to the NFPA 704 System, the most dangerous chemical would have a placard showing which of the following number sets?
A) 4, 4, 2
The least likely location for terrorist activity of the following choices is:
B) A remote government facility in a rural area
In using the various clues for detecting the presence of hazardous materials, the use of _________ would be considered the most dangerous.
The sense of smell
The NFPA 704 System indicates hazardous materials as:
Potential dangers
Placards that contain the DOT Class number 6 at the bottom identify a material that may be an infectious substance hazard.
True/False
True
The DOT Hazard Class 6 includes all of the following except:
A) Poison gases
The DOT Hazard Class 1 includes:
Explosives
The DOT Hazard Class 2 includes:
Flammable gases, Non-flammable gases, Non-toxic gases, and Toxic gases
The primary hazard of an oxidizer in a fire is its ability to:
Accelerate combustion
The NFPA 704 System provides the:
General hazard information
A tractor trailer carrying 975 lbs of organic peroxides, other than Type B, requires:
B) No placard
When referring to the U.S. Military Marking System, if a circle with a symbol of a person wearing a mask is seen, it is necessary to assume that:
A protective mask or breathing apparatus must be used
The placard shown indicates that the material is considered to be:
Poisonous
An explosive with a fragment hazard is denoted by the U.S. Military Marking System as a:
#2 in an X
Referring to the U.S. Military Marking System for Hazardous Materials, the symbol for a mass fire hazard is:
#3 in a triangle
Referring to the U.S. Military Marking System for Hazardous Materials, an octagon shaped placard with a #1 on it denotes a:
Mass detonation
The background color of a placard that would signify a poisonous substance hazard and that contains a skull and crossbones is:
White
Physical data, chemical name, exposure limits, health hazard data, and special precautions are all parts of the:
Material Safety Data Sheet
Of the references listed below, the most specific source of information on a hazardous material is/are:
D) MSDS
Within the UN System, a container labeled with a Hazard Class 4 conatins a:
Flammable solid, Spontaneously combustible material, or Water-reactive substance/Dangerous when wet material
Cable from meter
A
Main disconnects
B
Ground or neutral wire
C
Single breaker
D
Pair or double breaker
E
Grounded water pipe
F
Using the DOT Labeling System, a flammable liquid would receive a hazard classification of:
3
A container of flammable solids would receive a UN Label or placard with a hazardous classification number of:
4
A substance that readily yields oxygen to support combustion of fuels would be labeled Hazard Class _________ under the UN Labeling System.
5
A Hazard Class 3 within the UN Labeling System indicates a _________ product.
Flammable/combustible liquid
In the NFPA 704 System, the quadrant dealing with reactivity is colored:
Yellow
The National Fire Proctection Association (NFPA) lists _________ as the standard for identifying chemical hazards of materials at fixed facilities.
704
In the NFPA 704 System of Identification, the diamond shaped placard used for fire hazard is always colored:
Red
Within the NFPA 704 system, position #4 is the information and degree of hazard relating to a chemical's:
Special information (white) hazards
Within the NFPA 704 system, position #3 is the information and degree of hazard relating to a chemical's:
Reactiviy (yellow) hazard
Identify direction of fire spread
#1 upward fire direction; #2 downward fire direction
Within the NFPA 704 system, position #1 is the information and degree of hazard relating to a chemical's:
Health (blue) hazard
Within the NFPA 704 system, position #2 is the information and degree of hazard relating to a chemical's:
Flammability (red) hazard
The placard illustration above represents which class hazard?
Flammable Gas
The DOT Placarding System requires a vehicle carrying nonflammable compressed gas to display a placard colored:
Green
The placard illustration above represents which hazard class?
Flammable/combustible liquids
The placard illustration above represents which hazard class?
Corrosives
The placard above illustrates which hazard class?
Poison gas
The placard above represents which hazard class?
Radioactives
The placard above represents which hazard class?
Flammable solid
The placard above illustrates which hazard class?
Oxidizers
The DOT Placarding System requires a vehicle carrying over 1001 lbs of corrosive to display a __________ placard.
White over black
On a placard, the number at the bottom of the diamond indicates the:
UN Hazard Class
The hazard class represented by the placard illustration above is:
Explosives
The hazard class that is represented by the placard illustration above is:
Flammable solids
Liquid or solid substances that emit toxic, dangerous, and irritating fumes are known as:
Poisonous materials
A type of gas that can be extremely toxic and is considered by the DOT to be a hazardous material is a(n):
Poison gas
The placard drawing above represents which hazard class?
Nonflammable gas
Letter A represents:
Hazard Class Symbol
Letter B represents:
UN Product Identification Number
Letter C represents:
United Nations Hazard Class Number
When transporting hazardous materials, the shipping papers should contain:
Emergency contact information
Proper name of shipped materials
Hazard class of the shipment
True or false: Shipping papers are required to contain an entry for hazard classification according to DOT regulations.
True
Local emergency response personnel can gain valuable information if the __________ is utilized in preincident planning.
MSDS
Hazardous occupancies should be identified and evaluated:
During preincident planning
Using the human senses of smell or taste to determine the presence of a hazardous material is:
Unreliable, unacceptable, and unsafe
During an incident involving a train, you should look for the shipping papers in:
The engine, the caboose, or the engineer's possession
The normal location for the bill of lading is in the:
Cab of the truck
Care and control of the bill/consist is the responsibility of the:
Train conductor/engineer
A bill of lading contains valuable information about the origin of the product and is the type of shipping paper used when transporting a product via:
Highway truck
UN/DOT placards indicate general hazard recognition by:
Giving the UN hazard class number
For the materials in Hazard Class 8 (corrosive), a DOT placard is required if the gross weight is in excess of:
1000 lbs
The fact that a product is water reactive would be indicated in the __________ quadrant of the NFPA 704 System.
White
A white quadrant in the 6 o'clock position of the NFPA 704 System is used to indicate:
Special hazards
A number 4 in the blue quadrant of the NFPA 704 System indicates that there is ___________ risk in this category from the chemical involved.
Severe
The NFPA 704 System for identifying hazardous materials gives:
General hazard and degree of severity
The four digit number appearing on a placard or an orange panel of a tank car is the:
UN product identification number
All cylinders should be considered dangerous, regardless of what type of hazardous material it contains, because the contents are:
Pressurized
A major difference between a hazardous materials incident and other types of emergencies is the fact that hazmat incidents:
Can be more complex
Federal OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 and several states have required that local establishments keep a Material Safety Data Sheet on file when:
Hazardous materials are used or stored on site
Which of the package labels listed below indicates the highest radiation hazard?
B) Radioactive Yellow - III
1: Section 304 requires reporting of releases of the extremely hazardous substances listed in section 302 of SARA, Title III.
2: Releases resulting in an exposure to a person while at a fixed facility may be exempted from being reported.
3: Private industry is exempt from notification and reporting requirements in regards to releases of hazardous substances.
D) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
All of the following information (to the extent known at the time) should be provided during the notifications except the:
D) Cost estimate for clean up
To protect themselves and others, first responders must be able to make a proper assessment. The most important part of an assessment is:
Recognizing the presence of hazardous materials
The steps that are taken to preserve the health and safety of emergency responders and the public during an incident involving releases of hazardous materials are called:
Protective actions
The two types of potential hazards found in each guide of the ERG are:
Health and fire/explosion
A reference book intended to be carried in every emergency vehicle in the United States is the:
Emergency Response Guidebook
When dealing with a radiological incident involving a leak or spill, what exposure guidelines should the hazmat first responder use to minimize radioactive contamination?
Time, distance, and shielding
Substances or materials in quantities or forms that may pose an unreasonable risk to health, safety, or property when transported, stored, or used in commerce is a definition of a:
Hazardous material
The investigator's personal health and safety requires special precautions when a fire scene involves:
Chemical plants or concentrations of toxic chemicals, medical/biological hazards, or radiological hazards
The investigator often encounters hazardous atmospheres on a fire or explosion scene. Prudent steps should be taken when such dangerous atmospheres are suspected including but not limited to:
Testing the air using hazard detection instruments and avoiding the use of ignition sources such as flashlights, radios, and cameras
The investigator must be cognizant of safe and effective crowd control at the scene. The scene should be secured by:
Ropes and markings and assistance from police or fire department personnel
The investigator must be cognizant of standing pools of water on the scene. They may contain:
Debris that can cause tripping and falling; Dangerous objects that may cause injury; Deep water that is over the head of the investigator
1: The investigator should avoid operating switches or electrical equipment if flammable gases or vapors are suspected in the immediate area.
2: Location of all underground utilities should be verified before beginning any site digging or excavation.
3: Always use a meter to determine whether the electricity is off.
B) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
1: It is important that the fire investigator maintain close cooperation and communication with utility companies while conducting the investigation.
2: Rubber footwear can be depended on as an insulator.
3: Wires can be considered no longer "hot" once the meter has been disconnected.
B) 1 is true; 2 and 3 are false
1: The fire investigator should know the service status of all utilities before entering a structure.
2: The fire investigator should consider all external and internal downed power lines as energized.
3: The fire investigator has four methods available to reduce job risk.
A) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
A dangerously weakened structure should be:
Shored in key areas such as load bearing walls, floors, ceilings, and roofs; Evaluated by experts to assess the degree of structural damage
During preliminary activities, prior to entering a fire/explosive scene structure, the investigator should:
Assess wind speed and possibility of approaching storms; Check for collections of suppression water, rain water, ice and snow; Seek experts to assess severe structural damage
Before entering a structure or beginning debis removal, the investigator should assess the:
Area for holes in the floor, loosely stacked debris or standing water/ice; Stability and safety of the structure
An investigator entering a structure soon after the fire is believed to be extinguished should:
Be alert to the possibility of rekindling; Be aware of the safest and fastest means of egress
An investigator should never enter a burning structure unless:
Accompanied by fire suppression personnel
An investigator planning to enter a fire scene prior to complete extinguishment must first:
Obtain permission from the incident commander
Long periods of strenuous labor by investigators on a fire scene can lead to:
Poor body coordination; Loss of strength; Inability of recognize and respond to hazardous conditions
A common problem often encountered by an investigator on large major fire scenes is:
Lack of rest, fluid replacement, and nourishment
1: Homes contain hazardous materials in several locations, which, in general, are well organized and easy to locate.
2: Hazardous materials storage in commercial and business structures are generally better organized than in homes.
3: Homes contain hazardous materials only in the garage and kitchen.
D) 2 is true; 1 and 3 are false
The investigator must be particularly aware when:
Structural stability at the scene is unknown; The investigation is to be conducted above/below ground level; An action involves a personal safety risk
The investigator should not attempt to use personal protective equipment or other saftey equipment without:
Specialized or appropriate training
Safety equipment and clothing should be worn by the investigator on the fire scene:
At all times.
An investigator should not work a fire scene alone. It is recommended that fire scene investigaions be conducted by the __________.
Investigator and one other person
1: Rigor mortis is caused by chemical changes in muscle tissue.
2: Rigor mortis passes after 12-24 hours leaving joints and muscles limber again.
3: Rigidity of muscles caused by exposure to fire leaves the body in the same manner as rigor mortis.
B) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
Reasons to prematurely remove a fire victim's body from the building are:
Imminent collapse of the building; Uncontrollable fire in the immediate vicinity; There is a chance to resusitate the victim
1: If fire victims die rapidly (within seconds to a few hours) the cause is usually associated with heat, smoke, or carbon monoxide.
2: Fire deaths occurring in the first few days following the fire usually involve shock or fluid loss.
3: Fire deaths occurring several days to weeks after the fire usually are due to infections or organ failure.
C) All three are true
Asphyxiation
Caused by inhalation of toxic gases
Anoxia
Caused by oxygen depletion
Hyperthermia
Caused by exposure to high temperatures alone
Burns
Caused by incineration
Internal edema
Caused by inhalation of hot gases
The best form of victim identification is:
Dental X-rays
The most predominant service to fire investigators that a laboratory provides is the analysis of fire debris to:
Identify suspected volatile accelerants
1: During trial, all evidence submitted will be kept by the courts and is not a concern of the fire investigator.
2: Once all appeals have been exhausted, the investigator may petition the court to destroy the evidence.
3: A written record of authorization to dispose of the evidence should be kept.
D) 2 and 3 are true; 1 is false
1: Criminal cases such as arson require the evidence be kept until the case is adjudicated.
2: Circumstances may require that evidence be retained for many years.
3: Once all appeals have been exhausted, the investigator is free to dispose of the evidence.
B) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
1: An evidence log is a complete list of all items of evidence recovered from a fire scene.
2: Items of evidence corresponding to the evidence log can be packaged, labeled, or tagged.
3: Each person recovering evidence items must make their own entries into the log.
D) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
No matter what kind of material is recovered or how carefully it is preserved, it is valueless as evidence if it has not been __________ and ___________ following the requirements for the chain of evidence.
Maintained; documented properly
__________ delivery minimizes the potential of physical evidence becoming damaged, misplaced, or stolen.
Hand
1: Firefighting gloves should be used whenever possible to collect evidence samples at a fire scene.
2: If latex gloves are used to collect samples, the gloves should be discarded after each use.
3: Some fire investigators number their latex gloves and the evidence.
C) 1 is false; 2 and 3 are true
At all times after its discovery and collection, physical evidence should be stored in a secure location that is designed and designated for this purpose. Whenever possible, this storage area should be controlled by the:
Fire investigator
For every negative, a record must be kept of any transfer to any person other than the authorized storer. This is referred to as:
Chain of custody
Steps for shipping physical evidence to a testing facility:
1 - Choose an adequate cardboard box
2 - Pack evidence securely in box
3 - Seal the box and mark it as evidence
4 - Place a copy of the transmittal letter in envelope and mark it "invoice"
5 - Stick the envelope to the outside of the sealed box
6 - Wrap the sealed box in outside wrapper and seal with gummed paper
7 - Address the package to the appropriate testing facility
If flammable liquids are suspected of having been used to accelerate a passenger compartment fire, samples should be collected from the remaining upholstery, carpet, and carpet padding. When such samples are collected, the investigator should also include:
A comparision sample of the vehicle's fuel
Physical State
Whether evidence is a solid, liquid, or gas
Physical Characteristics
The size, shape, and weight of evidence
Fragility
Ease of damage, breakage, or altering of evidence
Volatility
How easiy evidence evaporates
Preservation of evidence: fire debris with suspected accelerant
New, unlined metal can or glass jar
Preservation of evidence: glass fragments
Box, paper bag, or envelope; seal to avoid movement
Preservation of evidence: paper documents
Manila envelope; do not fold; wrap securely
The most commonly submitted form of evidence is __________ suspected of containing a residue of __________.
Solid debris; volatile liquids
It is recommended that containers used for collection of __________ and __________ accelerants be limited to __________ types.
Liquid; Solid; Four
Evidence can be collected at the fire scene by:
- Police and fire investigators
- Private investigators and insurance company representatives
- Other individuals, including owners, occupants, and manufacturing representatives
Traces of suspected accelerant liquids can be recovered from concrete by absorbing them into:
Lime, flour, or diatomaceous earth
Suspected chemical incendiary mixtures may be packaged in:
Clean metal paint cans, polyester bags, or glass jars
Action to be taken to preserve organic evidence collected at fire scene:
Allow the material to air dry at room temperature, package in a clean paper container, and store in cool, dry, secure location
Any physical or tangible item that tends to prove or disprove a particular fact or issue is referred to as:
Physical evidence
Most contamination of physical evidence occurs during:
Collection
While examining the scne of a kitchen fire, an investigator suspects that mechanical or electrical equipment is the source of ignition. What is the best option for laboratory anaysis?
Collect or identify similar equipment to be used as a comparison sample
1: If the chain of custody is broken, it cannot be restored.
2: If the chain of custody is broken, the evidence collected is valueless.
3: The importance of the chain of custody to a successful fire investigation cannot be overemphasized.
B) All three are true
1: Traces of volatile liquids are likely to be found in areas of deep char or in the center of burned areas.
2: Many furnishings contain synthetic materials that share the same petroleum-based origin as most accelerants.
3: Control blanks of floor coverings may be found under large appliances or bookcases.
D) 2 is true; 1 and 3 are false
The decision regarding what physical evidence to collect at the incident scene rests with the:
Fire investigator
The recommended container for the collection of liquid and solid accelerant evidence is a:
Clean metal can with a tight-fitting lid
It is recommended that collection of solid and liquid accelerant evidence be limited to several types of containers:
Glass jars, metal cans, or special evidence bags
The form of arson evidence most commonly submitted for analysis can be classified as:
Solid debris suspected of containing volatile liquids
When collecting physical evidence for examination and testing, it is often necessary to also collect:
Comparision samples
It is recommended that physical evidence collected for the purpose of examination and testing by a recognized forensic laboratory be:
Hand delivered
The diagramming and photographing of a scene should always be accomplished before the physical evidence is:
Moved or disturbed
Physical evidence should be thoroughly documented before it is moved. Documentation can be accomplished through:
Field notes, sketches or diagrams, photographs or videos, and/or written reports
Most contamination of physical evidence occurs during:
Collection
The __________ makes the decision on what physical evidence is to be collected at the fire scene and makes the appropriate documentation.
Fire investigator
The preservation of evidence at the fire scene should begin with the:
First arriving firefighter
Long-lived events in which the fault current is not high enough to trip the circuit overcurrent protection are called:
High resistance faults
1: The size of the perimeter for both fire and explosion scenes may change several times during the incident.
2: The perimeter for explosions should be established at 1500' beyond the location of the farthest piece of debris found.
3: Access to the scene through the perimeter should be strictly monitored, with all persons who enter and leave being required to log in and out.
A) 1 and 3 are true; 2 is false
The value of __________ evidence depends on the fire investigator's efforts to maintain the __________ and __________ of that evidence from time of discovery to time of examination and testing.
Physical, security, integrity
Basic Method of a Fire Investigation
1: Receive the assignment
2: Prepare for the investigation
3: Conduct the investigation
4: Collect and preseve evidence
5: Analyze the incident
6: Report findings
A preliminary report is often a brief summary of the incident and involves the:
What, who, and when of a fire
The most important means of communication for a fire investigator is through:
The written report
The completeness and accuracy of a fire investigator's report is determined by its:
Clarity, readability, and concisness
Which one of the following statements concerning report writing is false:
A) Report all allegations and suppositions, even if they are unsupported.
Which one of the following should not be included in the summary section of an investigation report?
B) Names, addresses, and statements of witnesses
The primary purpose in photographing the scene would be to:
Support and document the fire investigator's findings
What pattern should photographic documentation follow?
The same general pattern as the scene search
The proper recording of a scene may require:
Photographs, notes, diagrams, and tape recordings
Aerial photographs
Views from a high vantage point to reveal fire spread patterns
Witness viewpoint photograph
Vantage point from which a witness observed the fire scene
Evidence photograph
Gasoline can or a penny in fuse box
Interior photograph
Rooms within the area of origin
Slides
Reproduction format that allows large-sized images to be displayed at no additional cost
Prints
Reproduction format that requires no mechanical device for displaying
Lens
Object used to gather light and focus images on the surface of the film
One of the most important aspects to remember about fire investigation photography is:
Proper lighting conditions
Why is color film recommended to photograph fire scenes?
Color film more realistically depicts variations between objects and smoke stains
How would an investigator photograph an item to depict accurate dimensions of the item?
Place a readily identifiable object of constant size, such as a ruler or a penny, in the photograph
During a fire investigation, a witness surfaces who claims that while standing in a particular location, he/she was able to observe the fire in its incipent stage. A photograph of such a location can be referred to as a(n) ___________ photograph.
Witness viewpoint
When photographing fire incidents, a fire investigator should avoid:
Combining multiple fire scenes on a single roll of film
The exclusive use of video format documentation of a fire scene in place of still photography is not recommended because video photography is considered:
Less objective and less reliable
The most recognized and used camera for fire photography is a(n):
35 mm
For a fire investigator to weave photographs and testimony together in court, photographs presented in court must:
Be relevant to the testimony
The purpose of structural photographs is to show:
Code violations
Structural failure
Damage to the structure and burn patterns
Identifiable features of the building
The purpose of providing photographs of a fire scene is to:
Provide an accurate record of the scene
There are numerous speeds of film (ASA rating); 35 mm is the one most used by fire investigators. The common speeds range from 25 to 1600 in color and to 6400 in black and white. As the number increases, the film requires:
Less light
One of the most important aspects to remember about fire investigation photography is:
Lighting
Fire scene sketches should be considered an important supplement to photographs and written notes. Their main importance to the investigation is to:
Portray the accurate location of evidence found at the scene
__________ ___________ should be considered important supplements to photographs and written notes, not replacements for them.
Fire scene sketches
Topographical drawing
Show various grades of the land
Electrical drawing
Shows size and arrangement of service entrance, swithces, outlets, and electrical appliances
Site plan
Shows the structure on the property with sewer, water, and electrical distributions to the structure
Floor plan
Shows walls and rooms of structure as if one were looking down on it from above
Fire scene sketches should be considered important supplements to __________ and __________, not replacements for them.
Photographs, written notes
Documentation of a fire scene involves measurements as well as pictorial documentation. Which system(s) would be used to formulate a meathod of measurements?
E) All of the above
The creation of the final sketch by the fire investigator would include information that would assist in locating various items at a later date. What information is required on the final sketch to provide this assistance?
Geographic orientation such as a "north" directional arrow compass marking
In all fire cases, the minimum drawing should consist of:
A simple sketch
The NFPA standard which references fire safety symbols is:
NFPA 170
The most common fire scene sketch used by a fire investigator is a(n):
Projection, plan, or top view
Which of the following systems of measurement should not be used when preparing a final fire scene sketch?
A) Paces and steps
A floor plan sketch or diagram of a structure consists of:
An outline of each floor of the building showing wall, partitions, openings, etc..
A sketch depicting the general arrangement of the property in reference to sewer, water, electrical distribution, and other important features is known as a:
Site plan
Fire protection engineering deals with the relationship between:
Ignition sources and materials in determining what may have started the fire
1: A mechanical or materials engineer can help determine the reason that a drive shaft or bearing failed.
2: A hydraulic engineer can help determine whether the failure of a hydraulic system caused or contributed to a fire.
3: Many determinations involving specialized equipment are beyond the capabilities of most crime laboratory personnel.
C) All three are true
Mechanical engineer
Analysis of HVAC system
Fire protection engineer
Technology of fire and explosion
Attorney
Legal assistance
Fire engineering technologist
Fire and safety engineering
Insurance agents and adjusters can provide assistance and information to the fire investigation such as:
- Contents of structure prior to the fire
- Type and condition of fire protection systems
- Insurance coverage and prior losses
In an effort to evaluate information given by a witness, it is important to consider whether or not the source is __________ and/or ___________ by conducting an evaluation of the witness' sources.
Accurate; Reliable
Municipal Street Department
Maps showing location of drains, conduits, and easements
State Fire Marshal's Office
Fire incident databases
County Assessor
Legal descriptions of property
Municipal Fire Department
Fire incident reports
Reports, documents, reference materials, and newspapers are all forms of __________ sources.
Written
Telephone conversations, tape recordings, radio transmissions, and commercial radio broadcasts are all examples of __________ sources.
Verbal
The State Fire Marshal's Office maintains public records regarding:
Fire incident databases and fire investigation activities
Documents that may be used during a fire investigation:
- Fire reports
- Police reports
- Insurance policies
- Financial records
Health Department
Birth and death certificates
Credit Union
Payment records
Building Department
Information regarding construction details
Title Companies
Former owners of property
County Coroner/Medical Examiner
Death cerfiticates
Municipal Treasurer
Amount of taxes paid or owed on real and personal property
Municipal Assessor
Taxable value of real property
A fire investigator can obtain a copy of a death certificate from the County Coroner/Medical Examiner or the:
Municipal Health Department
Town/City Clerk
Town/municipal government sources
State Treasurer
State government sources
United States Coast Guard
Federal government sources
National Fire Protection Association
Private sources
While correlating data and evaluating source information, a credible source that should be considered is:
Public records maintained by the fire department
1: During the interview, the most effective approach is to ask open-ended questions.
2: During the interview, the investigator should actively listen while maintaining eye contact.
3: During the interview, the investigator should anticipate what the interviewee is about to say.
A) All three are true
The two most common methods of documenting an interview are to:
Tape record and take written notes
While conducting an interview, it is important to remember that privileged communications apply to all of the following except:
B) Fire chief and fire marshal
Logical sequence to follow when developing an interview plan:
1 - Goals of the interview
2 - Who is to be interviewed
3 - Setting of the interview
4 - Who is to be present at the interview
Purpose of the interview
Gather useful and accurate information
Preparation for the interview
When and where the interview is held
Documenting the interview
Tapes or written notes
1: The express purpose of any interview is to gather useful, pertinent and accurate information.
2: The fire investigator must identify who is to be interviewed.
3: All identified parties to be interviewed should be kept together in a single, segregated location.
B) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
During the preparation for an interview, an investigator should develop a(n) __________ so that a __________ can be determined.
Interview plan; stragety
Conversations between a husband and wife, priest and penitent, and attorney and client are all forms of __________ and are made by persons within a __________.
Privileged communication; protected relationship
The most important activity by the fire investigator in preparation for an interview is:
Developing a thorough understanding of all facets of the investigation
Which of the following is not a suggested procedure when interviewing one who must be approached with caution?
B) Conduct the interview in a public place
The use of a flexible checklist while conducting an interview may be helpful:
During all forms of interviews
Interviews can be approached in three different ways. The three different attitudes of the investigator upon the approach are:
Trust, caution, and distrust
During an interview with a witness, the preferred method of documenting information obtained in the interview is:
A signed written statement
A witness who has a documented specific interest in a fire may be considered a(n) __________ person.
Distrusted or unreliable
In preparing for an interview, a fire investigator should always:
Develop questions ahead of time
The solicitation of relevant and useful information in a statement should begin:
During the preparation for the interview
The purpose of an interview is to gather:
Useful and accurate information
In fire-related deaths, the establishment of the cause and manner of death is the province of the:
Coroner or medical examiner
Photography, video tapes, photographs, motion pictures, and computer-generated animation are all examples of __________ forms of information.
Visual
The "arson immunity acts" generally provide that an insurance company:
Must release items of information upon request from an appropriate agency
Civil litigation lawsuits typically involve claims of damages for:
- Death
- Injury
- Property damage
1: A pretrial conference is not very important.
2: Make a list of your qualifications.
3: The jury does not have to concentrate on what you say.
A) 2 is true; 1 and 3 are false
The fire investigator should make sure that presentation information to the public or in court is:
Accurate, reliable, and supported by data and information
1: A fact witness provides testimony that is sometimes referred to as lay testimony.
2: Expert witnesses always have the right to answer every question in full and explain their answers.
3: A fact witness is allowed to provide opinion testimony.
A) 1 is true; 2 and 3 are false
If an expert witness is to testify on a scientific theory or technique, then it must be evaluated on four factors. The four factors are:
- The theory or technique has been or can be tested
- The theory has a known or potential rate of error
- The theory has gained acceptance in the relevant scientific community
1: During pretrial preparation, notes and reports must be reviewed and questions or problems discussed with counsel.
2: Any errors discovered are best freely admitted to upon direct examination.
3: Charts, diagrams, or other visual aids must be planned ahead of time.
C) All three are true
1: Proper dress is important for the image of the expert witness.
2: A suit is always proper dress for an expert witness.
3: If an expert witness wears a uniform in the performance of regular duties, it can also be considered proper dress.
D) 1 and 3 are true; 2 is false
1: Normally the weight of evidence as to the cause of a fire is determined by the same tests applied to other evidence.
2: The responsibilities of the expert witness are no greater than those of a fact witness.
3: An expert witness is allowed at the discretion of the court to provide opinion testimony.
C) 1 and 3 are true; 2 is false
During testimony, the fire investigator should above everything else:
Tell the truth
Expert testimony regarding the origin and cause determination of a fire must be:
Based on scientific knowledge, an understanding of hte science involved, the accuracy and reliability of conclusions reached using the data or information
To qualify as an expert witness you must:
Posses special knowledge, training, and experience in the area of expertise
The difference between fact testimony and expert testimony is a(n):
Fact testimony may only testify to facts observed
The final test of a fire investigation is its:
Presentation in court
A fire investigator qualified as an expert should provide:
Information to aid the judge and jury in understanding the facts at issue
When testifying in leagal proceedings, a witness should testify:
In a clear, firm voice using understandable language and terms
1: In order to certify to NFPA 1033, fire investigators must be able to prepare a written report of an investigation they performed.
2: The investigative report is an offical record of the investigator's activities and findings
3: The purpose of the investigative report is to build a case.
A) 1 and 2 are true; 3 is false
Recognized format when writing an investigative report:
Summary, scene description, investigatoin, conclusions
Regarding the investigation section of the investigation report, how is a recorded interview included?
A verbatim transcript of the interview should be included
__________ is the means by which a party obtains documentation from the opposing party to prove its allegation regarding the information and/or evidence that is possesses.
Discovery
A goal of every fire investigation is to produce __________ documents, samples, statements, information, data, and __________.
Reliable; conclusions
Court ruling contended that a fire investigator could offer an opinion that a fire was arson simply as a result of looking at evidence
Michigan Millers Mutual v. Benfield
The purpose of a(n) __________ serarch warrant is generally to allow those charged with the responsibility, by ordinance or statue, to investigate the origin and cause of a fire.
Administrative
Which of the following is not a Miranda Right?
D) To make a phone call
Discovery is the process occuring during the __________ phase of a legal proceeding.
Pretrial
Persons interviewed in custodial settings should be advised of their __________ rights.
Miranda
Evidence from which one can derive an impression by seeing, touching, smelling, or hearing the evidence is known as __________ evidence.
Demonstrative
Examples of demonstrative evidence
- Architectural model
- Sample can
- Insurance binder
- Tape recording
Example of documentary evidence
C) Insurance policy
Most frequently used types of illustrative or demonstrative evidence:
Maps, sketches, diagrams, and models
While fighting a fire, a firefighter who observes a gas can in plain view at the scene of a fire:
Can seize it as evidence without consent or a warrant
Type of sanctions imposed for failure to obey orders of a fire marshal, fire warden, or other officials and agents of public sector:
Criminal
Spoilation of evidence:
Can be eliminated by the proper handling of evidence and proper notification before destruction or disposal
The Supreme Court decision which held the investigation may continue for a reasonable period of time is:
Michigan v. Tyler
Evidence of an accidental fire cause should:
Not be removed by the public investigator for personal examination or training purposes
The responsibility for evidence preservation rests with:
The investigator or anyone who handles/examines evidence
Arson/criminal prosecution
At common law, the malicious burning of another's house
Arson immunity acts
Statute requiring release of information to public officials
Civil litigation
Premised on allegations of negligence
Privileged information
Attorney, priest
Confidential information
Statement for the person addressed
Freedom of information
Public agencies
The "right of entry" refers to legal right to be on a given premises or fire scene. Such entry can be obtained by all of the following except:
C) Freedom of Information Law
Incandescent light bulbs of 25 watt or greater can sometimes show the dirction of heat impingement. The side of the bulb facing the heat will be:
Pulled towards the heat source
The height to which smoke has stained the walls and windows of a room will reflect:
The nature and extent of the fire and the amount of ventilation
The rate of charring of wood varies widely depending on such variables as:
- Direction, orientation, and size of wood grain
- Rate and duration of heating
- Ventilation effects
Inverted cone patterns are commonly caused by:
Vertical flame plumes of the volatile fuels not reaching the ceiling
The solid residue that remains when wood is exposed to elevated temperatures is primarily:
Carbon
Damage including charring of the underside of furniture, burning of carpet under furniture, uniform burning around the underside of doors, burning of floor covering in corners, and holes burned through carpet and floors is a sign of:
Full room involvement
A wide "V" pattern at the base of a fire is a sign that the:
Pattern increased over time as the fire spread
Ventilation-generated patterns are caused by blowing air over glowing embers, raising enough heat to melt metals. This can produce:
Holes in floors
Which of the following statements is not a key variable that affects the validity of depth-of-char pattern analysis?
A) Depth of char is a good source to determine time of burning
The term __________ is used by fire investigators to cover the numerous changes that occur in plaster or gypsum wall surfaces during a fire.
Calcination
Thermal expansion of metal construction elements can be an indicator to the fire investigator of an:
Area heated to a higher temperature for a longer period of time