CFI Report Writing & Case Presentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When documenting chain of custody for physical evidence in a fire investigation report, which element is LEAST critical to include?
- Date and time of evidence collection
- Name of the investigator who collected the evidence
- Estimated replacement cost of the evidence item (Correct answer)
- Description of the evidence container used
Correct answer: Estimated replacement cost of the evidence item
Replacement cost is irrelevant to chain of custody; date/time, collector identity, and packaging details are essential to maintain evidentiary integrity.
Question 2: In a fire investigation report, the term 'area of origin' refers to:
- The room where the fire department first arrived
- The general geographic region where fire started before spreading (Correct answer)
- The first point of ignition identified at the scene
- The location where accelerant residue was collected
Correct answer: The general geographic region where fire started before spreading
The area of origin is the general location within a structure or outdoors where the fire began, which may contain the point of origin.
Question 3: Which writing style is most appropriate for the narrative section of a fire investigation report?
- First-person active voice with subjective conclusions
- Third-person passive voice with objective factual statements (Correct answer)
- Second-person instructional format for the reader
- Informal conversational tone to enhance readability
Correct answer: Third-person passive voice with objective factual statements
Third-person passive voice maintains objectivity and professionalism expected in forensic reports submitted to courts and insurers.
Question 4: During a deposition related to a fire investigation, an attorney asks you a question you do not understand. The best response is to:
- Answer with your best guess to avoid appearing unprepared
- Ask the attorney to rephrase or clarify the question (Correct answer)
- Decline to answer and consult your attorney immediately
- Provide a lengthy explanation covering all possible interpretations
Correct answer: Ask the attorney to rephrase or clarify the question
Asking for clarification ensures you answer the intended question accurately and prevents misunderstandings from entering the record.
Question 5: A fire investigator is preparing a scene diagram for a report. Which scale is most commonly used for room-level floor plans?
- 1 inch = 1 foot (Correct answer)
- 1 inch = 10 feet
- 1 inch = 100 feet
- 1 inch = 1 mile
Correct answer: 1 inch = 1 foot
A 1:12 scale (1 inch = 1 foot) is standard for interior floor plans, providing sufficient detail without requiring oversized paper.
Question 6: Which section of a formal fire investigation report typically contains the investigator's professional qualifications and experience?
- Executive summary
- Methodology section
- Curriculum vitae or qualifications section (Correct answer)
- Glossary of terms
Correct answer: Curriculum vitae or qualifications section
A curriculum vitae or qualifications section establishes the investigator's credentials, which is particularly important when the report is used in litigation.
Question 7: When referencing NFPA 921 standards in a fire investigation report, an investigator should:
- Cite the edition used during the investigation (Correct answer)
- Always cite the most current edition regardless of when the fire occurred
- Avoid citing NFPA 921 to prevent opposing experts from challenging methodology
- Paraphrase NFPA 921 without citation to avoid copyright issues
Correct answer: Cite the edition used during the investigation
The edition of NFPA 921 in effect at the time of the investigation should be cited to accurately reflect the methodology standards applied.
CFI Report Writing & Case Presentation 2
When documenting chain of custody for physical evidence in a fire investigation report, which element is LEAST critical to include?