Fire Scene Management 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 Fire Scene Management flashcards as text
Which agency has primary jurisdiction over a fire scene when a fatality is involved?
Answer: Law enforcement, with the fire investigator working in support
When a fatality occurs, law enforcement typically assumes primary jurisdiction and the fire investigator works cooperatively within that structure.
What is the purpose of placing a 'do not cross' perimeter around a fire scene?
Answer: To preserve evidence and control access to the origin and cause area
The perimeter is established to protect physical evidence from contamination, loss, or destruction by unauthorized persons.
When documenting a fire scene, the investigator should photograph in what order?
Answer: From the exterior overview inward toward the area of origin
Photography should proceed from overall exterior views inward, capturing the context before close-up detail shots of the origin area.
A fire investigator discovers potential accelerant containers during scene examination. What is the correct first action?
Answer: Photograph and document the containers in place before collection
All physical evidence must be photographed and documented in its original position before it is moved or collected.
Which of the following best describes 'scene reconstruction' in fire investigation?
Answer: Repositioning debris and artifacts to understand fire behavior and origin
Scene reconstruction involves systematically repositioning materials to understand their pre-fire location and how fire traveled through the space.
What is a 'chain of custody' in the context of fire scene evidence?
Answer: The documented record tracking evidence from collection to court
Chain of custody is the unbroken, documented record of who collected, handled, transferred, and stored evidence to ensure its admissibility in court.
During a multi-agency fire investigation, which document formally establishes roles and responsibilities among responding agencies?
Answer: A memorandum of understanding (MOU) or unified command agreement
A memorandum of understanding or unified command structure formally defines the roles, responsibilities, and coordination protocols among multiple agencies.