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
In the context of investigative methodology, what does 'negative corpus' mean and why is it problematic?
Answer: Concluding a fire was incendiary solely because no accidental cause was found
NFPA 921 warns against negative corpus — declaring incendiary origin simply by eliminating accidental causes without positive proof of an intentional act.
Which of the following best describes a 'working hypothesis' in fire investigation methodology?
Answer: A tentative explanation consistent with known data, subject to revision
A working hypothesis is a provisional explanation that guides the investigation and must be tested and revised as new data emerges.
When establishing the sequence of events during investigative planning, which type of timeline is MOST useful?
Answer: A composite timeline integrating witness accounts, alarm data, and physical evidence
A composite timeline merges multiple data sources to establish the most accurate and defensible sequence of events leading up to and during the fire.
A CFI suspects electrical involvement in a fire. Which methodological step should follow the initial hypothesis?
Answer: Identify and collect all potential electrical evidence for further analysis
After forming an electrical hypothesis, the investigator must gather all relevant electrical evidence to test and support or refute that hypothesis.
Which of the following represents a common methodological error that can invalidate a fire investigation?
Answer: Forming a cause conclusion before completing the scene examination
Premature conclusions create confirmation bias, causing investigators to selectively gather evidence supporting that conclusion rather than objectively evaluating all data.
What is the primary purpose of an investigative scope statement prepared before a fire investigation?
Answer: To define boundaries, objectives, and resources needed for the investigation
A scope statement clarifies what the investigation will and will not address, allocates resources appropriately, and sets measurable objectives.
During investigative planning for a suspected arson case, which resource is MOST valuable for understanding the building's construction before site entry?
Answer: Architectural drawings, building permits, and occupancy records
Architectural drawings and building records reveal construction type, fuel load distribution, and compartmentation, which directly inform fire behavior analysis.