IFE Level 4 Certificate in

Fire Investigation
Examiner Report – March 2023

Introduction

21% of the 33 candidates that sat the examination achieved a Pass.

Candidates generally performed best on questions 4 and 6 where the average mark
achieved was 8. They also scored well on question 5 where the average mark was 7.
Candidates scored least well on questions 1 and 7 where the average mark achieved was 2.

As in previous examinations, many candidates lacked the depth of scientific understanding

required to be successful in this examination and responses often failed to fully explain
underpinning issues.

Question 1

Fire Investigators will sometimes utilise the ‘origin matrix analysis’ tool to assist them in
determining where, in a compartment, a fire may have started.

Explain in detail the principles that surround its use.

(20 marks)

Examiner Report

An unpopular question that was largely answered very poorly. Trying to guess the answers
will always attract few, if any, marks, and credit to those few people who had clearly
prepared and gave good answers.

Origin matrix analysis is not, as some thought, a matrix that determines the viability of an
ignition source. Good answers discussed how burn patterns in a room vary according to the
length of time a fire is allowed to burn, whether it be pre-flashover, short duration flashover
through to long duration flashover, and how ventilation openings affect those patterns.

Issued: 07/2023 Page 1 of 5

Question 2

With any fire investigtion, identifying the source of igntion and the fuel first ignited is critical in
determining the cause of the fire.

a) Discuss in detail the interrelated factors linked to the fuel and the heat source that
influences a fuel’s ability to be heated sufficiently to generate ignitable vapours.

(10 marks)

Ignitable liquid vapour or fuel gases are the most commonly encountered explosions.

b) Describe the factors that will determine the severity of structural damage caused by
an explosion.
(10 marks)

Examiner Report

a) Generally, a poorly answered question. Candidates at level 4 must be able to

demonstrate a greater level and understanding and provide more detail. Although most
people who attempted this question were able to provide basic answers that described how
far a fuel source was from the heat source, and the exposure time, candidates who also
discussed thermal inertia, surface area and mass attracted higher marks.

b) A common theme with this question was candidates describing the levels of damage,
such as high and low order and what each of those levels may look like at a scene, which
attracted no marks. The question specifically asked for the factors that determine the
severity. Therefore, candidates who were able to discuss fuel/air ratios, confinement,
vapour density, venting, turbulence and the magnitude of the ignition source scored well.

Question 3

In the event of a fatal fire, a post-mortem or autopsy is normally carried out in order to
determine the cause of death of the victim. Part of this process can include taking blood
samples to determine the level of carbon monoxide present in a victim.

Explain in detail the properties and the effects of carbon monoxide on the human body, and
how the levels of carbon monoxide in victims’ blood is vital information to the fire
investigator.

(20 marks)

Examiner Report

Generally, this question was answered well with most candidates demonstrating an
understanding of carbon monoxide and how it interacts with the body during a fire. Many

Issued: 07/2023 Page 2 of 5

answers lacked detail in how the levels of carbon monoxide can assist the fire investigator.
A common misconception was that a fatal fire victim with very low levels of carbon monoxide
must have been dead before a fire was seen. This is incorrect and a greater level of study
would have undoubtedly provided better answers.

Question 4

During any fire investigation involving a structure, it is imperative that both the exterior
examination and the interior examination is documented using notes, sketches and
photographs.

Discuss in detail what should be documented when carrying out the internal and external
examination.
(20 marks)

Examiner Report

The most popular question this year with most answers scoring sufficiently to receive a pass.
Producing plans, sketches and photos and what should be included is not just applicable to
fire investigation, so many people who may not have studied the syllabus in any great detail
were still able to attract marks. Fire investigators must be able to produce plans, sketches
and notes so any candidate not familiar with what should be documented would be advised
to read the relevant reading material.

Question 5

a) Explain the ampacity/current carrying capacity of an electrical conductor.

(4 Marks)

b) Explain the factors that affect the ampacity/current carrying capacity of an electrical
conductor.
(7 Marks)

c) Define ‘overload’ in relation to an electrical conductor.

(2 Marks)

d) Discuss the potential evidence which can indicate that an overloaded conductor may
be an ignition source.
(7 marks)

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Examiner Report

a) Most candidates who attempted this question scored highly on part a). Knowledge of
electricity and particularly current flow is vital to a fire investigator, and this was
demonstrated consistently.

b) This was generally well understood by most who discussed the length and cross-sectional
area of a conductor, as well as the material used. More marks were awarded to those who
also discussed ambient temperature and how cables buried under insulation for example
have a higher resistance than those in free air.

c) Virtually all answers scored well for this question, with overload clearly understood by the
majority.

d) Again, most answers were of sufficient detail to achieve a pass, with most candidates able
to describe how an electrical cable will overheat along its length causing the insulation to
melt or ‘sleeve’. An often-missed extra mark was failing to mention that evidence of an
overload must include the fact that the electrical system had to have been energised at the
time of the fire.

Question 6

a) Define the three categories of fuel encountered during wildland fire investigations
(6 marks)

b) Describe in detail five directional indicators found at wildland fires which indicate the
direction of fire spread.
(14 marks)

Examiner Report

Another popular question that was surprisingly answered poorly overall.

a) Many candidates were unable to name and describe the three fuel categories of ground,
surface, and crown. Some answers did describe the fuels and were rewarded accordingly.
It was apparent that some answers relied on guesswork and the scoring reflected this.

b) As in previous years when questions relating to wildfire are asked, many candidates
misread the question. Some excellent answers were provided that discussed the causes of
wildland fires which unfortunately attracted no marks. Determining the direction of fire
spread was what was needed so those candidates who talked about such things as
‘cupping’, grass stems, sooting, depth of charring, and foliage ‘freeze’ scored highly.

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Question 7

Hot objects or surfaces play an important role in transmitting heat to a fuel and can therefore
contribute to starting or spreading a fire.

Describe in detail the process of hot surface ignition where the item first ignited is an
ignitable liquid.

(20 marks)

Examiner Report

This question proved troublesome, with very few achieving a pass. Again, a lack of
preparation was apparent with many of those attempting the question relying on guesswork
or previous experience. A key part of hot surface ignition is that for an ignitable liquid fuel to
be ignited by a hot surface, the temperature of the hot surface must be higher than the
autoignition temperature of the ignitable liquid, and candidates who provided detail about the
mechanism scored well. Candidates are again advised to prepare properly by studying the
reading lists provided.

Question 8

Discuss how animals interacting with ignition sources can result in a fire.
(20 marks)

Examiner Report

Not a popular question and was, in general, answered poorly. Only a few scripts scored
well, and these candidates discussed a variety of scenarios including rodent damage to
electrical cables, pets knocking over or interacting with ignition sources such as heaters,
candles and electrical appliances, and birds nesting in chimneys and flues. Had candidates
read the appropriate literature, then relatively easy marks were available on what was a
small subject area.

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