Arson L

If combustion is to be initiated and sustained, all the following elements must be present except ____.

• the presence of a fuel

          

• the availability of oxygen

             

• the application of heat

          

• the elimination of carbon monoxide

Most arson fires are started with _____.

• lead-based paints

          

• an oxidizing agent

    

• petroleum-based accelerants

           

• highly unsaturated oils

A search of the fire scene by a forensic investigator must focus on ______.

• collecting trace evidence for later chemical analysis

          

• estimating the value of monetary loss

     

• ascertaining whether or not a crime has been committed

         

• finding the fire’s origin

A gas chromatograph identifies an accelerant by a chromatogram’s _______.

• size

        

• pattern

          

• peak shape

   

• width

_____ is the combination of oxygen with other substances to produce new substances.

• Oxidation

       

• Reduction

             

• Emulsion

             

• Diffusion

______ is the chemical breakdown of solid organic matter by heat with the gaseous products combining with oxygen to produce a fire.

• Photolysis

           

• Hydrolysis

            

• Carbonium

         

• Pyrolysis

Most criminalists consider the _________ the most sensible and reliable instrument for detecting and characterizing flammable residues.

• SEM/EDS

• gas chromatograph

• pyrolytic converter

• Olphactograph

Which of the following answers best explains spontaneous combustion and under what conditions it will occur?

• Spontaneous combustion is fire caused by an natural heat-producing process in the presence of sufficient air and fuel, such as the storing of hay or other dry grass in an improperly ventilated barn or improperly ventilated containers containing rags soaked with highly unsaturated oils.

• Spontaneous combustion is fire caused by a natural heat-producing process in the presence of insufficient air and fuel, such as the storing of hay or other dry grass in an improperly ventilated barn or improperly ventilated containers containing rags stored in sand.

• Spontaneous combustion is fire caused by a natural heat-producing process in the presence of sufficient air and fuel, such as the storing of mulch or wet grass in a properly ventilated barn or properly ventilated containers containing rags soaked with saturated oils.

• Spontaneous combustion is fire caused by an unnatural heat-producing process in the absence of sufficient air and fuel, such as the storing of mulch or wet grass in a properly ventilated barn or properly ventilated containers containing dry rags stored in sand.