Certified Fire Investigator Practice Exam

What is evaluated when determining the cause and origin of a fire?

1. Atmospheric conditions

2. Data and evidence gathered

3. Eyewitness accounts

4. Fire extinguishing methods

The correct answer is: Data and evidence gathered

Determining the cause and origin of a fire relies heavily on the data and evidence gathered throughout the investigation. This includes physical evidence from the scene such as burn patterns, the presence of accelerants, any potential ignition sources, and the overall layout of the area affected by the fire. Investigators systematically collect and analyze all available information, aiming to reconstruct the events that led to the fire. While atmospheric conditions can influence fire behavior and eyewitness accounts may provide context or supporting information, the core aspect of establishing the cause and origin is grounded in the thorough analysis of physical evidence. Fire extinguishing methods may also be relevant to understanding how the fire was controlled after it started, but they do not directly assist in determining how and why the fire originated. Hence, the focus on data and evidence makes this the most critical aspect of fire investigation.