Practice Test Geeks(CFI) Certified Fire Investigator Practice Test
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Evidence Collection & Chain of Custody Flashcards

7 cards from real CFI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Evidence Collection & Chain of Custody flashcards as text

  1. When packaging liquid accelerant samples for laboratory analysis, which container type is most appropriate?

    Answer: Unlined paint cans or glass jars with airtight lids

    Unlined metal paint cans or glass jars with airtight lids prevent evaporation and chemical contamination of liquid accelerant samples.

  2. A fire investigator discovers a suspicious device at the origin. Who should be contacted FIRST before the device is moved or collected?

    Answer: A bomb disposal/EOD unit

    Any suspected incendiary device must be evaluated by a bomb disposal/EOD unit before an investigator attempts to collect or move it.

  3. Which action is required when transferring physical fire evidence between investigators?

    Answer: Both parties must sign and date the chain of custody form

    Both the releasing and receiving parties must sign and date the chain of custody form to document every transfer of physical evidence.

  4. What is the primary purpose of collecting a control (blank) sample at a fire scene?

    Answer: To compare against debris samples and isolate introduced accelerants from background hydrocarbons

    Control samples capture the pre-existing hydrocarbon background of unburned materials so lab analysts can distinguish accelerants from naturally occurring compounds.

  5. Under NFPA 921, what minimum amount of fire debris is recommended when collecting samples for accelerant analysis?

    Answer: Enough to fill at least one-third to one-half of the collection container

    NFPA 921 recommends filling the sample container one-third to one-half to allow headspace for volatile vapors that the lab will sample.

  6. A fire investigator photographs a key piece of evidence without placing a scale or ruler in the frame. What problem does this create?

    Answer: There is no way to determine the object's actual size in the image

    Without a scale reference in the photograph, the true dimensions of the evidence cannot be determined from the image alone.

  7. Which situation most likely constitutes a break in the chain of custody?

    Answer: An unsealed evidence bag is found with no record of who accessed it last

    An unsealed evidence container with no documented access record represents a gap in accountability that can compromise the integrity of the evidence.