Exam 17: Forensic Aspects of Fire and Explosion Investigation

What is the decomposition of organic matter by heat?

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 -Combustion

Heat energy is liberated in an endothermic reaction and absorbed in an exothermic reaction.

Two factors that influence the ________ of reaction of a fire are the physical state of the fuel and the temperature.

The most obvious characteristic of a high or contained low explosive is the presence of a crater at the origin of the blast.

What is available in commercial form as fertilizer?

The most obvious characteristic of a high or contained low explosive is the presence of a(n)________ at the origin of the blast.

Which of the following CANNOT be determined from a laboratory examination of evidence recovered from an arson?

All combustible fuels simultaneously igniting to engulf a structure in flames is known as:

Two to three quarts of ash and soot debris must be collected at the point of origin of a fire when arson is suspected.

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 -Heat of combustion

Which substance has the highest ignition temperature?

At a fire scene, what characteristics should an investigator look for to identify the fire's point of origin? What circumstances may affect these characteristics?

Movement of heat through a solid object is caused by:

Which are common chemical ingredients of black powder?

________ is characterized by extremely rapid oxidation that produces a supersonic shock wave.

Where will an investigator usually locate the probable point of origin of a fire? What factors can cause a fire to deviate from normal behavior?

Which is NOT a high explosive?

What produces the violent physical disruption of the surrounding environment released in an explosion? Explain how this creates shrapnel when a bomb explodes.

Typically, the rate of a chemical reaction ________ when the temperature is raised.