Report Writing & Case Presentation Flashcards

When a fire investigation report is subpoenaed, which items must typically be produced along with the report?

Answer: Notes, photographs, diagrams, and all materials relied upon in forming opinions

Discovery rules generally require production of all materials upon which the expert relied, including field notes, photos, and diagrams, not just the final report.

In fire investigation reports, the term 'undetermined' cause should be used when:

Answer: The data is insufficient to identify the cause to a reasonable degree of certainty

'Undetermined' is a legitimate scientific classification meaning insufficient evidence exists to establish cause to a reasonable degree of certainty, per NFPA 921.

Which of the following is the correct order for presenting a fire cause determination in a formal report?

Answer: Evidence → Methodology → Origin → Cause

Reports should logically progress from evidence collected, through methodology applied, to origin determination, and finally to cause conclusion.

When an investigator uses the scientific method in a fire investigation, how should hypothesis testing be documented in the report?

Answer: Document all hypotheses considered, evidence tested against each, and basis for rejection or acceptance

NFPA 921 requires documenting all hypotheses considered and the evidence used to test each, demonstrating rigorous application of the scientific method.

A report written for an insurance company's subrogation attorney should be tailored by:

Answer: Maintaining complete factual accuracy while focusing on relevant technical findings

Investigators must maintain objectivity and accuracy regardless of who retains them — altering findings to benefit a client is unethical and potentially fraudulent.

Which photograph caption provides the most useful context in a fire investigation report?

Answer: View looking north from the living room doorway showing V-pattern burn damage on the east wall, consistent with the identified area of origin

Captions should include orientation, location, and what the photograph demonstrates relative to investigation findings to maximize evidentiary value.

What is the significance of documenting negative corpus findings in a fire investigation report?

Answer: It documents that accidental causes were considered and eliminated, supporting an incendiary determination

Documenting eliminated accidental and natural causes demonstrates thorough methodology and is required by NFPA 921 before classifying a fire as incendiary.