Certified Fire Investigator Practice Exam

Testimony from witnesses can be classified under which category in a fire investigation?

1. Visual Evidence

2. Scientific Data

3. Human Factors

4. Subjective Evidence

The correct answer is: Subjective Evidence

Testimony from witnesses in a fire investigation is classified as subjective evidence because it reflects personal accounts and observations that may vary from one individual to another. This type of evidence is inherently based on the perceptions, interpretations, and recollections of the witnesses, which can be influenced by numerous factors such as emotions, biases, and the witness's perspective of the event. While subjective evidence is valuable, it is less objective than other forms of evidence, such as scientific data, which is based on measurable and reproducible findings. In fire investigations, subjective evidence can provide contextual information that complements physical evidence, but it should be interpreted with an understanding of its limitations and the potential for personal bias. This classification is critical in fire investigations as it helps investigators distinguish between evidence that can be empirically tested and verified, such as visual evidence from the scene, and that which is more interpretative and personal in nature.