Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct

Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) Certification Exam Practice Test Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which of the following best describes the primary goal of fire

investigation?

• Determine the monetary value of damage
• Determine the origin and cause of the fire
• Assign blame to responsible parties
• Ensure insurance claims are processed

Rationale: The main objective of fire investigation is to identify the origin

and cause of the fire, not to assign blame or assess property value.

• Which type of evidence is considered the most reliable in determining

fire cause?

• Witness statements
• Video recordings 1 / 4

• Physical evidence at the scene
• Insurance records

Rationale: Physical evidence collected from the scene provides objective

information for determining fire cause.

• Which method is commonly used to determine the point of origin in a

fire scene?

• Eyewitness testimony
• Fire pattern analysis
• Insurance evaluation
• Arson suspect interviews

Rationale: Fire pattern analysis, including burn patterns and V-patterns,

helps pinpoint the fire's origin.

• Which organization provides standardized procedures for fire

investigation?

• NFPA 921
• OSHA
• FEMA
• NFPA 1033

Rationale: NFPA 1033 sets professional qualifications for fire investigators,

while NFPA 921 provides scientific methodologies.

• Which of the following is considered an accelerant?
• Water 2 / 4

• Foam
• Gasoline
• Sand

Rationale: Gasoline and other flammable liquids are considered

accelerants as they increase fire spread.

• Which indicator at a fire scene suggests possible arson?
• Electrical wiring overload
• Multiple points of origin
• Natural gas leak
• Cooking appliance malfunction

Rationale: Multiple points of origin are unusual in accidental fires and may

indicate intentional ignition.

• When collecting evidence at a fire scene, which procedure is most

important?

• Taking photographs only
• Using gloves exclusively
• Properly preserving and labeling evidence
• Notifying the media

Rationale: Proper evidence collection and preservation ensure that

samples can be tested and presented in court without contamination.

8. Flashover in a fire is best described as:

• A slow smoldering of materials 3 / 4

• A controlled burn
• Simultaneous ignition of all combustible materials in a space
• Ignition of only furniture

Rationale: Flashover occurs when all combustibles in a compartment reach

ignition temperature almost simultaneously.

• Which tool is commonly used for fire pattern documentation?
• Multimeter
• Thermal camera only
• Compass and sketching tools
• Fire extinguisher

Rationale: Accurate documentation with sketches, measurements, and

photos helps recreate the fire scene for investigation.

10. NFPA 921 is important because it:

• Outlines fire department SOPs
• Provides scientifically based fire investigation methods
• Offers insurance guidelines
• Sets building codes

Rationale: NFPA 921 is the "Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations," providing systematic methodologies.

• Which is considered circumstantial evidence in fire

investigations?

• Burned electrical outlet
• / 4