Exam 17: Forensic Aspects of Fire and Explosion Investigation

A low explosive has a velocity of detonation less than:

Most arsons are started with ________-based accelerants such as gasoline or kerosene.

Which type(s)of screening and confirmation tests are used for analyzing evidence of explosives?

________ is an explosive consisting of ammonium nitrate soaked in fuel oil.

A common classification system characterizes ignitable liquids based on their boiling point ranges and number of ________ molecules as light, medium, and heavy petroleum distillates.

Match the word in Column 1 to its definition in Column 2. Each answer can only be used once. A)The entire range of possible gas or vapor fuel concentrations in air that are capable of burning B)Any material used to start or sustain a fire C)The decomposition of solid organic matter by heat D)The minimum temperature at which a fuel spontaneously ignites E)A chemical transformation in which heat energy is liberated F)Any compound consisting of only carbon and hydrogen G)A chemical transformation in which heat is absorbed from the surroundings H)The combination of oxygen with other substances to produce new substances I)The ability or potential of a system or material to do work J)Combustion on the surface of a solid fuel in the absence of heat high enough to pyrolyze the fuel K)Rapid combination of oxygen with another substance, accompanied by production of noticeable heat and light L)An offender's pattern of operation M)A fire caused by a natural heat-producing process in the presence of sufficient air and fuel N)The minimum temperature at which a liquid fuel produces enough vapor to burn O)The heat liberated during combustion -Exothermic reaction

Materials that have electrons firmly attached to their molecules:

What is often used as the explosive core in a detonating cord?

The transfer of heat energy by the movement of molecules within a liquid or gas is:

What is the rapid combination of oxygen with a fuel, which produces a noticeable release of energy?

Black powder does not explode when unconfined.

A search of the fire scene must focus on finding the fire's point of origin.

If the fuel concentration in the fuel-air mix is too low or too great, combustion does not occur.

Match the word in Column 1 to its definition in Column 2. Each answer can only be used once. A)The entire range of possible gas or vapor fuel concentrations in air that are capable of burning B)Any material used to start or sustain a fire C)The decomposition of solid organic matter by heat D)The minimum temperature at which a fuel spontaneously ignites E)A chemical transformation in which heat energy is liberated F)Any compound consisting of only carbon and hydrogen G)A chemical transformation in which heat is absorbed from the surroundings H)The combination of oxygen with other substances to produce new substances I)The ability or potential of a system or material to do work J)Combustion on the surface of a solid fuel in the absence of heat high enough to pyrolyze the fuel K)Rapid combination of oxygen with another substance, accompanied by production of noticeable heat and light L)An offender's pattern of operation M)A fire caused by a natural heat-producing process in the presence of sufficient air and fuel N)The minimum temperature at which a liquid fuel produces enough vapor to burn O)The heat liberated during combustion -Oxidation

Most explosives can be recovered from debris for future study by being rinsed with:

A burning cigarette is an example of spontaneous combustion.

Heat energy can ignite distant objects through the transmission of:

Arson investigators must work quickly to collect evidence at a fire scene because any accelerant residues may evaporate within a few days or even hours.

Which is an initiating explosive often used in detonators?

A(n)________ is a device used to create an explosion needed to ignite a high explosive.