Chapter # 19 Fire Origin and Cause Determination Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Chapter # 19 Fire Origin and Cause Determination Deck (48)
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1
Q

Name three responsibilitys of every firefighter when dealing with fire cause.

A

recognize the area of origin. Note indicators of fire cause. Protect Physical evidence.

2
Q

The ……..is the general location where the fire began. It will contain the precise ……….. where ignition took place.

A

Area of Origin. Point of Origin.

3
Q

All debris should remain in place until what?

A

There are orders to move it.

4
Q

When a area of origin can not be found what should firefighters do?

A

Delay overhaul. Protect the scene. Establish scene security.

5
Q

Name fire indicators to help determine the path of fire spread and area of origin.

A

Fire patterns. Melted metal and glass. Degree of damage to structure and contents.

6
Q

Areas of heavily charred flooring indicate what?

A

That a fuel burned at that location.

7
Q

Charring on vertical surfaces of walls, closed doors, and objects will face what direction?

A

Toward the area or point of origin.

8
Q

When dealing with ground cover fires you should know how these three things affect fire behavior.

A

Wind. Topography. Natural fuels.

9
Q

T or F On flat ground with a consistent fuel bed and no wind, a fire would burn equally in all directions, and the point of origin would be in the center of the circular fire pattern.

A

True

10
Q

With ground cover fires the area of origin may display evidence of what, when compared to the head or leading edge of the fire.

A

slower and less intense fire growth.

11
Q

What direction will grass fall when it burns?

A

Toward the area of origin.

12
Q

Will have sufficient temp and energy and be in contact with the fuel long enough to raise it to its ignition temp.

A

Competent Ignition Source

13
Q

History of the fire, beginning when the ignition source and the first fuel ignited meet at the area of origin, and proceeding through the entire duration of fire spread through the scene.

A

Ignition Sequence

14
Q

Four cause can be these four types.

A

Accidental. Natural. Incendiary. Undetermined.

15
Q

Fire cause that happens when humans are not involved in the ignition process.

A

Natural

16
Q

Fire cause that is intentionally set under circumstances in which the responsible party knows that the fire should not be ignited.

A

Incendiary

17
Q

The most obvious sign of fire cause will be the what?

A

Ignition Source

18
Q

A firefighter take note of these four things and report it to a investigator.

A

Time of Day. Weather and Natural Hazards. Man-made Barriers. People leaving the Scene.

19
Q

Combustible material, such as rolled rags, blankets, newspapers, or flammable liquid, often used in intentionally set fires in order to spread fire from one area to other points or areas.

A

Trailer

20
Q

Most incendiary devices leave what?

A

Evidence of their existence.

21
Q

List several additional factors firefighters should note on a fire scene.

A

Time of day and extent of fire. Wind direction and velocity. Doors and windows locked or unlocked. Location of the fire. Containers or cans. Burglar tools. Familiar faces. Unusual odors. Abnormal fire behavior when water is applied. Obstacles. Incendiary devices. Trailers. Structural alterations. Fire patterns. Heat intensity. Availability of documents. Fire detection and protection systems. Intrusion alarm. Location of fire (are there multiple?). Personal possessions. Household items. Equipment or inventory. Business records.

22
Q

Who is responsible for preserving evidence?

A

All fire officers and fire fighters on scene.

23
Q

What is the first step in establishing a chain of custody?

A

Scene security.

24
Q

What two things make a fire scene secure?

A

A recognizable perimeter and a person to maintain that perimeter.

25
Q

On incidents like a injury or fatality a police officer should be assigned to do what?

A

Document who enters and exits the perimeter.

26
Q

If a scene is considered criminal a investigator may institute what four things?

A

Log all person who enter and exit. Permit access to authorized individuals only. Have firefighter move outside the perimeter to a staging area after there task is completed. Ensure that those brought into the area are escorted. Mark potential evidence so it is not disturbed.

27
Q

What should be done if personnel are still operating and there is potential to damage evidence?

A

A investigator or firefighter should be stationed by the evidence.

28
Q

Nonessential overhaul operations should be delayed until when?

A

Until the IC or investigator authorize it.

29
Q

General term referring to anything that can taint physical evidence.

A

Contamination

30
Q

What is the final activity before securing a structure?

A

Remove debris from the structure. (if local protocol allows it)

31
Q

Term that refers to evidence that is destroyed, damaged, altered, or otherwise not present by someone who has the responsibility for the evidence.

A

Spoliation

32
Q

Dumping debris on what, is easy to clean up, protects the driveway and yard, and is good for public relations.

A

Inexpensive plastic tarps.

33
Q

Any means of proof that may be present to prove or disprove a certain hypothesis.

A

Evidence

34
Q

Name three types of evidence.

A

Direct. Circumstantial. Physical.

35
Q

Composed of fact to which a person can attest without further support. Found through the five physical senses.

A

Direct Evidence

36
Q

Evidence that tends to prove a factual matter through inference by proving other events.

A

Circumstantial Evidence.

37
Q

Includes physical objects available for inspection.

A

Physical evidence.

38
Q

List some items of evidence and information that the investigator might find.

A

Separate Fires. Timing Devices. Trailers. Chemicals. Matches. Ignitable Liquids. Bottles. Rubber or latex items. Containers. Glass. Lighters. Electrical sources. Modified Equipment. Items that should not be present and items that should be present but are missing. Oily rags. Fire patterns.

39
Q

In most jurisdictions who has the legal responsibility for determining the origin and cause of a fire?

A

The fire chief. (he may delegate it to a officer or firefighter on scene).

40
Q

Who is in the best position to observe unusual fire conditions that may indicate a incendiary fire?

A

First arriving firefighters.

41
Q

Who is responsible for conducting detailed investigations and analysis beyond the initial origin and cause?

A

Fire Marshall, Fire investigator, Fire inspector.

42
Q

Name three cases where a firefighter may have to assist in a fire investigation.

A

When fire cause can not be determined. When there is a fatality. When a incendiary fire is suspected.

43
Q

What does a insurance adjuster do?

A

Visit the incident site. Collect police and fire reports. Create Diagrams. Interview Witnesses. Take photos of the scene.

44
Q

Is it uncommon g for each investigation group to compare their findings and hypotheses of origin and cause?

A

No

45
Q

Right of entry stating that the fire department does not require a warrant to enter a property to suppress a fire, or to remain on the property for a reasonable amount of time afterward in order to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

A

Exigent Circumstances

46
Q

What must be obtained to remove property from a fire scene?

A

A warrant or consent by the owner.

47
Q

If a individual is the focus of a criminal fire cause that person must have what done before taking them into custody or interviewing them?

A

Advised of their rights.

48
Q

Name five legal issues of evidence preservation.

A

Right of entry. Search and seizure. Statements and the Miranda warning. Chain of custody and continuity of evidence. Spoliation.