A fire has been extinguished by the fire department. The structure is an eight-family apartment building that has suffered extensive damage to over 80 of the building. There was one fatality as a direct result of the fire and several firefighters were injured. The firefighters are still on the scene and have located the origin of the fire.
Generally speaking, what is the role of the fire department from this point forward.
A) None. Once the fire is extinguished, their role is officially complete.
B) To detect the possibility of arson but not to investigate arson
C) To investigate who started the fire
D) Clean up the fire scene to include the removal of debris from the site
(Question #2) The caller reported black smoke and some flames were visible near the garage. Firefighters have arrived at scene, a single family dwelling, within five minutes of the call. Now, the structure is fully engulfed in flames at both ends. The fire is spreading very rapidly. Thick, black smoke is still clearly visible but quickly changes to white and brown smoke. The caller is found at the scene and is interviewed by the police. He again reported black smoke when the fire first started and that the fire rapidly progressed from the garage.
Based on the facts above, what is the likelihood that the fire was caused by arson?
A) The fire is most likely accidental.
B) The fire may be arson based on the color of the smoke and the rapid progression.
C) The fire is possibly accidental or stems from structural defect due to electrical malfunction based on the color of smoke and the rapid progression.
D) The facts cannot lead a person to any conclusions.
(Question #3) The fire department has extinguished a residential fire where a 72-year-old woman was killed. Why are firefighters attempting to determine the point of origin?
A) To reconstruct how the firefighting operation was conducted in order to rule out any wrong doing on behalf of the fire department
B) To locate the origin of the water that was used to extinguish the fire in order to learn of better ways to fight fires in the future to avoid fatalities
C) To help determine if the fire was organic or post-organic
D) To assist in making a determination of arson, natural, or accidental causes
(Question #4) A garage fire has been put out by the fire department. Gas vapors have been detected by the fire department by their sniffer and there is evidence of hydrocarbon accelerants.
Who is legally responsible for investigating WHO committed the crime?
A) The fire department
B) The insurance company
C) The police department
D) All of the above have a statutory obligation to investigate the crime and who is responsible.
(Question #5) The Milwaukee Fire Department is fighting a three alarm fire of an occupied warehouse full of workers, clothing, and industrial machinery. During the operation, several firefighters observe that a strange gasoline smell is present on the lower floor and trailers seem to be present.
What is the PRIMARY role of the firefighters now?
A) To protect any criminal evidence
B) To extinguish the fire
C) To investigate arson
D) To collect evidence before it is destroyed by fire
(Question #6) John owns an apartment building that is insured for 1 million dollars and he is having money problems due to a gambling addiction. John makes sure that the building's smoke detectors are working because the building has dozens of tenants and he doesn't want anyone getting hurt. He then sets the building on fire while people are inside to collect the insurance money.
How is this crime classified?
A) Simple arson
B) Arson with the intent to commit manslaughter
C) Aggravated arson
D) All of the above, depending upon whether or not actual injuries or deaths occur
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