Question 1

Arson is defined as the ______________ and malicious burning of another's property or the burning of one's own property for some illegal purpose.

Accepted Answer

Arson is defined as the willful and malicious burning of another's property or the burning of one's own property for some illegal purpose.

Question 2

A careful and thorough search at the fire scene does not produce much evidence due to the destructive nature of fires.

Accepted Answer

A careful and thorough search at a fire scene can often produce valuable evidence despite the destructive nature of fires, as investigators are trained to identify and analyze patterns, residues, and other indicators that can survive fire conditions.

Question 3

You are the investigator assigned to collect evidence from a suspected arson. Which is the most appropriate method for collecting evidence containing ignitable fluids?

Accepted Answer

A clean paint can is a better choice because it reduces the risk of cross-contamination and ensures that the evidence remains uncontaminated. Plastic bags may contain chemicals that can interfere with the analysis, while paper bags and cardboard boxes can easily tear and leak the evidence.

Question 4

Origin and Cause Fire investigations can easily be performed by any fireman after "knocking down" a blaze.

Accepted Answer

Conducting a thorough origin and cause fire investigation requires specialized training and expertise beyond what is typically possessed by a fireman who has just extinguished a fire.

Question 5

_________ is a motive frequently associated with arson.

Accepted Answer

Arson can be motivated by various reasons, including to conceal other crimes, defraud insurance companies, and seek revenge. Therefore, all of the above options are frequently associated with arson.

Question 6

The arson investigator should focus the investigation to answer _______________?

Accepted Answer

The arson investigator should focus on all three questions - where did the fire originate, how was the fire started, and whether the cause of the fire was accidental or intentional. Answering all of these questions is important for determining the cause of the fire and potentially identifying any suspects involved.

Question 7

The presence of which of the following is the most commonly sought physical evidence in arson investigations?

Accepted Answer

Ignitable liquids are the most commonly sought physical evidence in arson investigations as they are used to start and accelerate fires. Electrical shorts may also be investigated, but they are not as commonly sought after as ignitable liquids. Papers and cardboard, as well as carpet, may be evidence of a fire, but they are not specific to arson and can be present in accidental fires as well.

Question 8

When searching for ignitable fluids attention should be focused at the point where ______________.

Accepted Answer

The point where the fire started is the most likely location to find ignitable fluids.

Question 9

Laboratory analysis can differentiate among the many types of accelerants used in arson cases. The common types are gasoline, kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, paint thinner, and turpentine.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Laboratory analysis techniques such as gas chromatography and infrared spectroscopy can identify the specific type of accelerant used in an arson case by analyzing the volatile compounds present in the fire debris.

Question 10

Which of the following is considered an improvised incendiary device?

Accepted Answer

All of the options listed are examples of improvised incendiary devices. These are makeshift devices designed to start fires or cause damage through fire or heat, often using readily available materials.

Question 11

The term modus operandi, is a term often used in police work to describe the method used by police and firefighters to investigate the fire.

Accepted Answer

The term modus operandi is used in police work to describe the method used by criminals to commit a crime. It is not specifically used by police and firefighters to investigate fires.

Question 12

Of the following items, which can be used as an igniter to start a fire?

Accepted Answer

All the options listed can be used to start a fire: a matchbox contains matches that ignite when struck, black powder is a combustible substance, and sodium reacts with water to produce heat and hydrogen gas, which can ignite.

Question 13

This type of explosive is designed to be detonated by shock and have high detonation velocities:

Accepted Answer

The description given in the question matches the characteristics of high explosives, which have high detonation velocities and are typically designed to be detonated by shock. Low explosives, such as black powder, have a slower burning rate and are not typically used for such purposes. Medium explosives may have some characteristics of both high and low explosives, but the question specifically asks for explosives with high detonation velocities designed to be detonated by shock. Therefore, the best choice is C: High.

Question 14

Which of the following items can be used to ignite heat-sensitive explosives such as black powder?

Accepted Answer

Flashbulbs can be used to ignite heat-sensitive explosives such as black powder because they produce a brief, intense pulse of heat and light that can ignite the powder without causing it to explode prematurely. RDX, TNT, and C-3 are all high explosives that are too powerful and unstable to use for this purpose.

Question 15

During a post blast investigation, which of the following is a main concern for the crime scene investigator?

Accepted Answer

Safety of crime scene personnel is a primary concern to ensure that investigators can conduct their work without risk of injury from potential hazards at the blast site.

Quiz 11: Arson and Explosives