Investigative Planning & Methodology 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 Investigative Planning & Methodology flashcards as text
When developing an investigative plan for a large commercial fire, what is the FIRST step an investigator should take?
Answer: Define the scope and objectives of the investigation
Defining scope and objectives provides direction and ensures all investigative activities are purposeful and resources are properly allocated.
In NFPA 921, the systematic approach to fire investigation is best described as which of the following?
Answer: The scientific method applied to fire scene examination
NFPA 921 explicitly frames fire investigation around the scientific method — forming hypotheses and testing them against data.
A CFI arrives at a scene where multiple agencies are present. Which action best demonstrates proper investigative methodology?
Answer: Establish communication with the incident commander to coordinate jurisdiction and access
Coordinating with the incident commander ensures proper jurisdiction is recognized and scene access is managed without evidence contamination.
Which document type provides the legal authority for a fire investigator to enter and examine a private property after a fire?
Answer: A consent form, administrative warrant, or criminal search warrant
Entry to private property after a fire requires either owner consent, an administrative warrant, or a criminal search warrant to be legally valid.
When planning the documentation phase of a fire investigation, what is the recommended sequence?
Answer: Photograph, sketch, then note-take
Photography should occur first to capture the undisturbed scene, followed by sketching for spatial relationships, then detailed note-taking.
Which factor most significantly affects the order in which areas of a fire scene are processed during an investigation?
Answer: The stability of the structure and safety hazards present
Structural stability and safety hazards determine which areas can be safely accessed and in what order, making safety the primary sequencing factor.
A fire investigator is asked to re-examine a scene three days after the initial investigation. What methodology concern is MOST critical?
Answer: Documenting chain of custody for any items moved since the initial exam
When a scene has been accessed by others between investigations, documenting what moved and who had access is critical to maintaining evidence integrity.