Q&A Hero

Q: A zombie is a a. certain type of computer virus. b. computer that has been rendered immobile by a virus. c. computer used by hackers to copy other computer programs. d. computer that has been taken over by another computer.

Q: What type of material should not be used when packaging electronic evidence? a. waxed paper b. cardboard c. plastic materials d. paper bags

Q: Describe how to find the point of origin in a fire and what it can reveal to the investigator.

Q: Why is it important to photograph and videotape an arson fire?

Q: Describe some of the recent technological innovations in bomb detection.

Q: How should an officer investigate a vehicle fire?

Q: Describe the difference between accelerants and igniters, and give three examples of each.

Q: When investigating a case of arson, how does an officer uncover the burning pattern?

Q: List the common motives for arson and explain how they help investigators locate suspects.

Q: Explain the concept of the fire triangle.

Q: Describe three special challenges to arson investigation.

Q: When responding to a fire scene, what should an officer observe, note and record?

Q: What is a striker?

Q: Summarize the Model Arson Law.

Q: Why would an arson investigator interview a firefighter as part of the arson investigation?

Q: Why would an investigator use a K-9 in an arson investigation?

Q: Outline the elements of the crime of arson.

Q: Describe the two-part warrant process that is required by the U.S. Supreme Court for investigating fires involving crime.

Q: ____________ cocktails are one kind of explosive.

Q: A(n) ____________ warrant is issued when it is necessary for a government agent to search a property to determine a fire's cause and origin.

Q: The boundary between charred and uncharred material is called a line of ______________.

Q: Brown stains around a spall indicate use of a(n) ___________.

Q: Burn ____________ are visible evidence of the effects of heating or partial burning.

Q: In arson cases, ___________ is the prime element in the corpus delicti.

Q: The breaking off of surface pieces of concrete or brick due to intense heat is referred to as _________________.

Q: The most common and accurate types of flammable vapor detectors used by arson investigators are ___________ combustion detectors.

Q: A fire in which there is no evidence to indicate whether the fire was natural, accidental or incendiary is classified as a fire of ____________ _________.

Q: White smoke results from the burning of ____________.

Q: A fire caused by faulty wiring is classified as a natural fire.

Q: The basic difference between aggravated and simple arson is that aggravated arson involves malicious intent.

Q: The most commonly used flammable liquid accelerant is gasoline.

Q: Black smoke results from the burning of petroleum.

Q: Matches, candles, lighters or chemical devices can all be used as accelerants.

Q: Arson has the highest clearance rate by arrest of all Index crimes.

Q: Large, rolling blisters indicate a slow, weak heat.

Q: Juveniles have a higher rate of involvement in arson crimes than any other Index crime.

Q: Arson is a combination of crimes against persons and property.

Q: A rapid, intensely hot fire results in small, flat alligatoring.

Q: Fire marshals have extralegal powers to summon witnesses, subpoena records and take statements under oath that police officers do not have.

Q: Arson investigations are usually joint investigations involving both law enforcement and fire officers.

Q: Female arsonists usually burn their own property rather than that of others.

Q: Among children, fireplay involves malice and the intent to harm.

Q: ATF is responsible for alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosive investigations.

Q: It is difficult to determine whether the victim is a suspect in arson cases.

Q: Evidence of accelerants is a primary form of physical evidence at an arson scene.

Q: Knowing the fire's point of origin is of little importance to an arson investigator.

Q: Strikers start fires because of an irresistible urge or passion for fire.

Q: Arson fires usually show the same burn patterns as regular fires.

Q: Catalytic combustion detectors are a. the most common type of flammable vapor detector used by arson investigators. b. recently developed instruments for detecting the presence of an explosive bomb. c. a remote-controlled instrument for approaching and analyzing unknown explosive devices. d. none of these choices.

Q: A homemade explosive that Richard Reid, the "shoe bomber," carried aboard American Airlines Flight 63 from Paris to Miami in 2001 was made from a. dynamite. b. TATP or triacetone triperoxide. c. C-4 military explosive. d. 2-methyloctane.

Q: Pipe bombs, nail bombs and other bombs disguised to escape detection are referred to as a. local explosive devices (LEDs). b. disguised explosive devices (DEDs) c. improvised explosive devices (IEDs). d. dangerous explosive devices (DEDs).

Q: If a person dies in a fire set by an arsonist, the death is a. involuntary manslaughter. b. voluntary manslaughter. c. second-degree murder. d. first-degree murder.

Q: A sniffer is a. another term used when referring to a canine in a K-9 unit. b. a detection device that takes a sample of air and identifies the approximate quantities of explosive material in the sample. c. a detection device that takes a sample of air and identifies the quality of the smoke and what type of igniter was used to set the fire. d. none of these choices.

Q: Which of the following is not part of the initial procedure that officers should take when responding to a bomb threat? a. Ensure that a search for secondary explosive devices has been conducted. b. Establish procedures to document personnel entering and exiting the scene. c. Ensure that the scene has been secured. d. Ensure that a search warrant has been procured in order to execute a full search of the premises.

Q: Which is not one of the fire department's basic roles? a. fire investigation b. arson detection c. arson investigation d. determining the cause of a fire

Q: Preparing to burn a building without actually doing so is __________ arson. a. aggravated b. second-degree c. simple d. attempted

Q: Female arsonists usually burn a. the property of strangers. b. the property of someone known to them. c. their own property. d. another female's property.

Q: Which of the following agencies or groups is not among the common partners in an arson investigation? a. the news media b. ATF c. AIT d. insurance companies

Q: A disrupter is a. another term used to describe an arsonist. b. someone who accidentally disturbs the scene of an arson fire. c. a device that uses gunpowder to fire a jet of water into an explosive with the intent of making it safe. d. a common type of igniter used to start fires.

Q: Which of the following is not one of the five classes of explosive incidents in the United States? a. terrorist or extreme activity b. emotionally disturbed persons c. revenge and/or protest d. recovered military ordnance or commercial explosives

Q: Yellow or brownish smoke results from the burning of which of the following? a. alcohol b. petroleum c. sulfur, nitric acid or hydrochloric acid d. drugs

Q: Which of the following statements is not true? a. More than one point of origin indicates arson. b. Fires normally burn outward. c. The point of origin is established by finding the area with the deepest char. d. Fires are drawn toward ventilation and follow fuel paths.

Q: What resource has become increasingly useful in bomb detection and in searches for evidence following explosions and has been in constant demand since 9/11? a. field deployable electronic sensors b. K-9s c. electronic "sniffers" d. robots

Q: The purpose of the law enforcement officer in an arson investigation is to a. support the fire officer with the investigation. b. provide protection for the fire officer. c. assist with the criminal investigation. d. work cooperatively with the fire officer to handle the criminal part of the investigation.

Q: If a bomb is found, the most important rule in handling the suspect package is to a. get the package submerged in water as quickly as possible. b. wear bomb-proof gloves when removing the package from the scene. c. not touch the package. d. have at least three officers surround the package and cover it gently with a bomb-resistant tarp.

Q: Crazing is a. the checking of charred wood. b. the formation of irregular cracks in glass due to heat. c. how deeply the wood is burned. d. burnt glass.

Q: Fires are classified as all but which of the following? a. natural or accidental b. criminal or accidental c. suspicious or of unknown origin d. natural and technological

Q: Blue smoke results from the burning of which of the following? a. alcohol b. vegetable compounds c. sulfur or nitric acid d. none of these choices

Q: Private insurance investigators a. interfere with law enforcement and fire investigations and should be kept away. b. are supportive but not helpful. c. can assist fire and police efforts in investigating fire losses. d. can offer bounties on arsonists.

Q: The fire triangle consists of which of the following three elements? a. oxygen, fire and heat b. fuel, heat and warmth c. wood, warmth and fire d. air, fuel and heat

Q: Arson is a a. Part One Index crime. b. Part Two Index crime. c. Part Three Index crime. d. misdemeanor.

Q: The majority of automobile fires are a. accidental. b. arson. c. natural. d. of undetermined cause.

Q: Alligatoring is a. the checking of charred wood. b. the formation of irregular cracks in glass due to heat. c. the charring of just the surface of wood. d. a sure sign of arson.

Q: The elements of motor vehicle theft are a. intentionally taking or driving a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner or the owner's authorized agent. b. taking a motor vehicle from the owner with the intent to sell or remove the vehicle. c. taking an automobile with the intent to sell the automobile. d. joyriding for pleasure or for criminal activity.

Q: What is the name of the program instituted in New York City that gives the police permission to stop any vehicle being driven between 1 A.M. and 5 A.M. if the vehicle has a sticker indicating that the owner of the vehicle participates in this program? a. HEAT b. CAT c. ATTF d. NVIP

Q: Transporting a stolen vehicle across state lines is a violation of what act? a. Harrison Act b. Wickersham Act c. Mann Act d. Dyer Act

Q: The most important means of identifying an automobile is its a. title and registration. b. license plates. c. VIN. d. make and model.

Q: The NICB Web site suggests a four-layered approach to combat auto theft: common sense, visible and audible warning devices, immobilizing devices and what? a. slide-lock devices b. tinted windows c. tracing devices d. self-deflating tires

Q: A business that takes stolen cars apart to sell the parts for a profit is known as a a. strip-and-peel shop. b. chop shop. c. midnight auto supply. d. shake and bake.

Q: The profit on stripped auto parts and accessories is a. extremely low. b. fairly low. c. moderate. d. extremely high.