Question 1

The four subgroups for revenge motivated arson include

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

When developing an arson suspect,what factors must be proven to eliminate all others?

Accepted Answer

In order to develop an arson suspect, all three factors - motive, opportunity, and means - must be proven to eliminate other potential suspects. Motive refers to the reasons why the suspect would have had a desire to commit the crime, such as financial gain or revenge. Opportunity refers to the chance the suspect would have had to commit the crime, such as being near the scene at the time of the fire. Lastly, means refers to the tools or materials the suspect would have needed to start the fire, such as matches or accelerants. Proving all three factors helps to ensure that the correct suspect is identified and convicted.

Question 3

When certain items such as photo albums,valuables,furniture,clothing,or pets are apparently missing from the scene of a fire,the most likely possibility is that the

Accepted Answer

When certain specific items are missing from the scene of a fire, it is often an indication that the owner may have removed them prior to starting the fire. This could be an attempt to conceal evidence or to protect valued possessions from damage. It is less likely that firefighters would steal items, and if burglars had stolen items, they would not typically set a house on fire as it would draw more attention to their actions. While it is possible that items could be completely destroyed by the fire, it would be less likely for items such as photo albums or clothing to be completely obliterated.

Question 4

Which of the following statements concerning evidence recovered from an explosion is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

A is correct because items of evidence from the same grid must be separated to prevent contamination or damage. C is correct because multiple containers may be needed for large amounts of evidence or if residue analysis needs to be performed. B is incorrect because the officer's name and address are not required on the evidence tag, only the case number and brief description of the evidence.

Question 5

When one refers to the "layer checking technique" in arson investigation,what is being described is the

Accepted Answer

The layer checking technique in arson investigation refers to the process of checking through the layers of material stacked on top of each other after a fire. This technique can help identify the origin and cause of the fire by examining the pattern and depth of burn damage present in each layer.

Question 6

Spalling describes the

Accepted Answer

Spalling refers to the breaking off of small pieces or flakes from the surface of concrete, brick, or cement due to intense heat. This usually occurs as a result of exposure to high temperatures, such as during a fire, and can compromise the integrity of the material.

Question 7

Arson investigations

Accepted Answer

Arson investigations involve both police and fire department responsibilities. The fire department is responsible for determining the cause and origin of the fire, while the police department investigates any potential criminal activity involved in the fire. Therefore, arson investigations typically fall between the responsibilities of both departments. Insurance companies may also be involved in the investigation, but they are not solely responsible for it.

Question 8

The technical name for the "sniffer" is the

Accepted Answer

The technical name for the "sniffer" is the catalytic combustion detector.

Question 9

Which of the following is generally not involved in spontaneous heating and ignition?

Accepted Answer

Spontaneous heating and ignition occur due to the heat produced by chemical action, fermentation, and oxidation. Matches are not generally involved in spontaneous heating and ignition.

Question 10

In general,home or business owners who decide to arrange for arson fraud do so most often for which reason?

Accepted Answer

Arson fraud is most often committed because the perpetrator desires financial relief or is motivated by greed. This may be due to financial struggles or a desire to obtain insurance payouts. Revenge may also be a motivating factor, but it is not as common as financial gain. The option D, which suggests an abnormal psychological need to set fires, is rare and only applies to a small number of cases.

Question 11

Which statement most accurately describes a chemical explosion?

Accepted Answer

Chemical explosions are typically caused by the rapid release of energy as a result of a chemical reaction, such as the burning of combustible hydrocarbon fuels. This can lead to an explosion in confined spaces or with the presence of oxygen. While physical factors, such as high pressure, may contribute to the reaction, the underlying cause is still a chemical reaction. Bursting steam pipes are not necessarily chemical explosions, but rather physical failures of the equipment.

Question 12

What is the name of the portable equipment available to the arson investigator for detecting residues of flammable liquids at fire scenes that consists of illuminating the darkened fire scene with an ultraviolet lamp?

Accepted Answer

The portable equipment available to the arson investigator for detecting residues of flammable liquids at fire scenes that consists of illuminating the darkened fire scene with an ultraviolet lamp is called ultraviolet fluorescence. Infrared spectrophotometers are used to analyze the composition of a sample, gas liquid chromatographs are used to separate and analyze compounds in a sample, and flame ionization detectors are used to detect organic compounds. However, none of these are specifically used for detecting residues of flammable liquids at fire scenes like ultraviolet fluorescence.

Question 13

A physical reaction characterized by the presence of four major elements: high-pressure gas; confinement or restriction of the pressure; rapid production or release of the pressure,and change or damage to the confining (restricting)structure,container,or vessel that is caused by the pressure release is a/an

Accepted Answer

The description given fits the definition of an explosion, which involves the rapid release of high-pressure gas and can result in damage to surrounding structures. Arson, implosion, and violent arson eruption do not adequately capture all four elements of the described physical reaction.

Question 14

Due to the potentially dangerous nature of suspicious letters and packages,police have started to use which of the following methods for handling and disposal?

Accepted Answer

Robots are being used by police for handling and disposing of suspicious letters and packages as it helps in minimizing the risk of injury or harm to the officers. Rookie officers may not have the necessary training or experience to handle such situations, and referring to the fire department may not always be feasible or appropriate.

Question 15

Which statement about the scene of an explosion is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Explosion scenes are typically larger and more disturbed than fire scenes due to the force of the blast spreading debris over a wide area.

Question 16

The insurance industry maintains a modern computerized data bank,the Property Insurance Loss Register (PILR).Which of the below is not maintained in this database?

Accepted Answer

The PILR database maintains information about property insurance claims, including fire, burglary, and theft. However, it does not maintain information about suspects arrested in reference to these claims. The database is used by insurance companies to identify patterns of claims and to detect potential fraud.

Question 17

Once the origin,or epicenter,of the explosion has been identified,the investigator should determine what type fuel was employed.How is that done?

Accepted Answer

By comparing the nature and type of damage to the known available fuels at the scene, an investigator can determine the type of fuel that was employed. This method is more reliable than analyzing the chemicals in the air or dirt found at the site, which may have been contaminated by other factors besides the explosion. Therefore, option B is the best choice for determining the type of fuel used.

Question 18

Which of the following is one of the factors that the investigator must be aware of when evidence is collected at a suspected arson scene?

Accepted Answer

Evidence collected at a suspected arson scene must be uncontaminated in order to maintain its integrity. Contamination can occur from anything including the investigator's own clothing or equipment, which could compromise the evidence and potentially harm the case. The other options, such as size, storage, and density, may also be relevant factors but they are not as important as maintaining the integrity of the evidence through avoiding contamination.

Question 19

The material placed around the ignition device to feed the flame in arson is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The answer of The material placed around the ignition device...

Question 20

Evidence collection containers used at the scene include

Accepted Answer

All of the above options are used for evidence collection at crime scenes. Unused metal paint cans can be used for items that need to be protected from contamination, paper bags are breathable and thus good for biological evidence to prevent mold growth, and Ziploc bags are useful for non-biological evidence. Each type of container serves a specific purpose depending on the nature of the evidence being collected.

Quiz 19: Arson and Explosives Investigations