FRSC216 Fire Investigation II
Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies: Fire Science
- I. Course Number and Title
- FRSC216 Fire Investigation II
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- FRSC202 (C or better) and FRSC206 (C or better)
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
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- This course aligns with Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) associate degree curriculum requirements.
- Students having the appropriate prerequisites and complete both FRSC206 and FRSC216 are eligible to test for Professional Certification (ProBoard) in accordance with NFPA 1033 to the Fire Investigator Level.
- FRSC206 and FRSC216 may be completed through Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) if the student has ProBoard and/or IFSAC Professional Certification to the Fire Investigator Level, in accordance with NFPA 1033 or the National Fire Academy (NFA) Certificate for Fire/Cause Origin and Cause Investigations (FAOCI) course R0206.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This course is a continuation of Fire Investigation I, providing students with advanced principles and technical knowledge on the rule of law, fire scene analysis, fire behavior, evidence collection and preservation, scene documentation, case preparation, and courtroom testimony.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:
- Explain the rule of law as it pertains to arrest, search and seizure;
- Interpret a fire scene;
- Describe the chemistry and combustion;
- Explain the nature and behavior of fire;
- Identify the combustion properties of liquid, gaseous, and solid fuels;
- Analyze electrical causes of fire;
- List the procedures for fingerprinting and evidence collection/preservation;
- Evaluate the use of incendiary devices, explosives, and bombs;
- List the procedures for fire scene documentation;
- Analyze fire-related deaths and injuries;
- Discuss interviewing techniques;
- Explain the role of the fire investigator in courtroom demeanor and testifying;
- List the sources and technology available for fire investigations; and
- Describe procedures for conducting background investigations.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
- Rule of Law
- Arrest procedures
- Search and seizure
- Warrant searches
- Interpretations of Fire Scenes
- Structure fires
- Vehicle fires
- Ship fires
- Explosions
- Wildland fires
- Hazardous materials fires
- Chemistry of Combustion
- Atoms
- Elements
- Compounds
- Organic compounds
- Behavior of Fire
- Heat
- Flame plumes
- Sequence of a room fire
- Effects of environment conditions
- Combustion Properties
- Liquids
- Gases
- Solids
- Electrical Causes of Fires
- Wiring systems
- Ignition sources
- Investigation of fires
- Collection of Evidence
- Photography procedures
- Sketching procedures and techniques
- Fingerprint lifting and collection techniques
- Preservation of evidence
- Incendiary Systems
- Basic incendiary devices
- Explosives
- Bombs
- Documentation of Fire Scene
- Sketches
- Photographs
- Incident reports
- Log sheets
- Investigation report
- Chain of custody
- Investigation of Fire-Related Deaths and Injuries
- Homicide fire investigation
- Scene security
- Scene examination and search
- Scene documentation
- Autopsy report
- Interview Techniques
- Interviewing
- Questioning
- Advising of rights
- Exceptions to the rule
- Waiver of rights
- Courtroom Demeanor
- Court procedures
- Pre-Trial preparation
- Trail exhibits
- Physical appearance
- Testifying
- Court decisions
- Court Decisions
- Daubert decision
- Benfield decision
- Kuhmo/Carmichael decision
- Sources of Information
- Local
- State
- Federal
- Website
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Students satisfy the course learning goals via class discussions, written exams, assignments, papers, and/or performance based tasks and projects. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date 6/2016