Exam 18: Arson and Explosives

According to the authors, the task of locating and recognizing physical evidence at an arson crime scene is the same as for any other crime scene.

Arson crime scenes, as compared to scenes of other crimes, have some unique disadvantages for physical evidence. The text points out that evidence may be destroyed by flames and heat and/or may be

According to the authors, in strictly legal terms, a fire is considered to be of accidental origin unless proved otherwise.

According to the text, information concerning the economic health of an industry in general and the arson target in particular can be provided to investigators by

An irresistible impulse or compulsion to start a fire or set something on fire is termed

In cases of suspected arson, the initial site of the fire may be determined from the physical evidence and traces remaining after the fire is extinguished.

Polyethylene or polystyrene containers are suitable for collecting accelerants because they will neither deteriorate nor become permeable to petroleum products.

Both police investigators and private insurance investigators almost always need a search warrant to investigate an arson site.

According to the authors, to minimize the loss of physical evidence at the scene of a fire, every fire should be

_____________________ occurs when certain compounds combine at room temperature with oxygen, thereby releasing considerable heat.

Past experience demonstrates that the person who discovered the fire normally cannot provide sufficient information to assist in the determination of the point of origin of a fire.

The most common accelerant is

It is recommended that photographs and films taken of bystanders at recent fires should be scrutinized to determine if

Most petroleum products such as oils, greases, kerosene, and gasoline are considered drying oils and thus pose a spontaneous combustion risk.

In residential fires of suspicious origin, the removal of irreplaceable possessions prior to the fire is found to be common.

Chemists describe the reaction of a chemical compound with oxygen as

______________ are used to extend a fire from a plant to other parts of a structure.

The three components required for fire are

According to the text, during an arson investigation, neighbors or tenants in the same building or one nearby should be questioned because

A SEMTEX bomb is a device built with a length of pipe stuffed with explosives and shrapnel, such as nails or BBs, sealed at both ends, and fitted with a detonator.