ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

Which accelerant-related component is typically used to create distance in a fire or explosion?

1. Fuse

2. Firework

3. Trailer

4. Detonator

The correct answer is: Trailer

The correct choice is the component known as a trailer. In fire investigations, a trailer is utilized to spread flames from one area to another, which can create distance between the origin of the fire and other locations. This technique can serve various purposes, such as directing the fire towards a specific target or creating a more extensive burn area. When investigating arson or incendiary fires, recognizing the use of a trailer can be crucial. Trailers can consist of flammable liquids or materials strategically placed to ensure that flames travel across a distance before igniting secondary locations. This can complicate the investigation, as it obscures the original point of ignition and makes it more challenging to determine the intentions of the perpetrator. The remaining options, such as a fuse, firework, and detonator, each serve different purposes in the context of combustion or explosion but do not primarily function to create distance in the same way a trailer does. A fuse is primarily associated with timing and triggering explosions, fireworks are designed for entertainment and visual displays rather than to spread fires strategically, and a detonator is typically used to initiate a blast rather than control the spread of fire.