UC CHE 113 “INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Assigned Homework Materials

Professor James T. Spencer

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER PRACTICE AND MASTERY

14.1. The chemical reaction associated with fire is:
a) reduction
b) oxidation
c) precipitation
d) augmentation
e) metathesis
14.2. Which is NOT a high explosive?
a) black powder
b) dynamite
c) TNT
d) RDX
e) TATP
14.3. The chemical reaction associated with fire is:
a) reduction
b) oxidation
c) precipitation
d) augmentation
e) metathesis
14.4. What are the three basic requirements to produce a fire?
14.5. Define endothermic reaction, exothermic reaction and activation energy.
14.6. What is the role of a catalyst in a chemical reaction?
14.7. What is meant by the autoignition temperature?
14.8. What are the four parts of the fire tetrahedron?
14.9. What is meant by the flash point of a substance?
14.10. What is meant by flammability limits?
14.11. How does nitroglycerine differ from black powder with respect to the source of its fuel and
oxidant?
14.12. In what state of matter must a fuel be in order for it to oxidize?
14.13. What is a radical? How does it figure into the combustion process?
14.14. What is an accelerant? Give some examples of some commonly used accelerants.
14.15. Explain how an explosive backdraft occurs?
14.16. What is the legal definition of arson?
14.17. If an arson investigator finds that there are no known natural or accidental causes for a fire, is
this enough to prove arson in a court of law?
14.18. What are some of the things an arson investigator looks for at a fire scene that may indicate
arson was involved?
14.19. True or False: The point of origin of a fire of a fire is usually found at the spot of deepest
charring.
14.20. What are the duties of a First Responder?
14.21. What types of evidence collection containers are typically used for materials collected at the
scene of a fire that is suspected as arson?
Introduction to Forensic Science Page III.14.1 Draft 8/5/18 J. T. Spencer
14.22. Once an evidence sample is in the lab, what analysis technique is usually used to identify the
presence of an accelerant?
14.23. What is the source of energy in a chemical explosion?

Introduction to Forensic Science Page III.14.2 Draft 8/5/18 J. T. Spencer