CFPS - Certified Fire Protection Specialist Fire Investigation Principles Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 cards from real CFPS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CFPS - Certified Fire Protection Specialist Fire Investigation Principles Questions and Answers flashcards as text
In fire investigation, 'spoliation of evidence' refers to:
Answer: The loss, destruction, or material alteration of evidence that may be needed in litigation
Spoliation occurs when physical evidence is lost, destroyed, or significantly altered — intentionally or negligently — before all interested parties have had an opportunity to examine it.
Which laboratory technique is most commonly used to detect and identify ignitable liquid accelerants in fire debris samples?
Answer: Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
GC-MS separates and identifies chemical compounds in fire debris extracts with high sensitivity and specificity, making it the standard method for accelerant detection.
NFPA 1033 establishes minimum professional qualifications for:
Answer: Fire investigators
NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, defines the job performance requirements for fire and arson investigators.
A 'low burn' pattern at a fire scene — char or burning damage that extends to or near the floor level — may indicate:
Answer: Use of an accelerant poured on the floor or a near-floor ignition source
Low burn patterns, especially irregular patterns on flooring, can indicate pooled ignitable liquids, though investigators must rule out other low-burn causes such as furnishings or drop-down debris.
In documenting a fire scene, investigators should photograph evidence in what order?
Answer: Overall orientation views first, then mid-range, then close-up detail
The standard documentation sequence moves from overall orientation photographs, to mid-range context shots, to close-up detail images to establish context before capturing fine detail.
Which of the following is an example of a 'natural' cause of fire?
Answer: Lightning strike igniting a structure
A natural fire cause is one produced by natural forces without human action — lightning is the classic example recognized in NFPA 921 classifications.