Fire Investigation I FST 205. COURSE SYLLABUS Fire Investigation I FST 205 [Semester] CRN 3 Credits

Transcription

1 COURSE SYLLABUS Fire Investigation I [Semester] CRN 3 Credits Instructor Name: Instructor Instructor Phone: Office Hours: Class Meeting Dates/Location/Time: Location: Class Days: Class Times: Class Dates: Add/Drop Dates/Withdraw Dates Add/Drop Date: Withdraw Date: [Other necessary information for students dropping or withdrawing from class] Co and Pre Requisites 1

2 Course Description Provides the student with the fundamentals and technical knowledge needed for proper fire scene interpretations, including recognizing and conducting origin and cause, preservation of evidence and documentation, scene security, motives of the firesetter, and types of fire causes. Course Competencies 1. Identify and explain the responsibilities of the fire department from a firefighter's perspective when responding to the scene of a fire, including the possibility of incendiary devices often encountered. 2. Define criminal law and explain the constitutional amendments (4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, 14th) as they apply to fire investigations. 3. Analyze the precedents set by constitutional law case studies that have affected fire investigations. 4. Define and explain the common terms used in fire investigations. 5. Describe the basic elements of fire dynamics and how they affect cause determination including fire behavior, characteristics of fuels and methods of heat transfer. 6. Analyze the relationship of building construction on fire investigations including types of construction, construction and finish materials. 7. Evaluate fire protection systems and building services and discuss how their installation affects the ignition of fires in buildings. 8. Discuss the basic principles of electricity as an ignition source. 9. Explain the role of the fire investigator in recognizing health and safety concerns including potential hazardous materials awareness. 10. Describe fire scene investigations and the process of conducting investigations using the scientific method. 11. Explain how an investigator determines the point of origin in a room. 12. Identify the types of fire causes and differentiate between accidental and incendiary causes. 13. Describe and explain the basic procedures used for investigating vehicle fires. 14. Identify the characteristics of arson and common motives of the firesetter. 15. Identify and analyze the causes involved in line of duty firefighter deaths related to structural and wildland firefighting, training and research and the reduction of emergency risks and accidents. Topical Outline A. Emergency Responder Responsibilities and Observations i. Responsibilities of the Fire Department ii. Responsibilities of the Firefighter iii. Responsibilities of the Fire Officer iv. Observations When Approaching the Scene v. Observations Upon Arrival 2

3 vi. Observations During Firefighting Operations vii. Identification of Incendiary Devices B. Constitutional Law i. Criminal Law ii. Constitutional Amendments C. Case studies i. Michigan v. Tyler ii. Michigan v. Clifford iii. Daubert Decision iv. Benfield Decision v. Kuhmo/Carmichael Decision D. Fire Investigations Terminology i. Terms as They Apply to Structural Fires ii. Terms as They Apply to Vehicle Fires iii. Other Common Investigative Terms E. Basic Elements of Fire Dynamics i. Ignition ii. Heat Transfer iii. Flame Spread iv. Burning Rate v. Fire Plumes vi. Fire Analysis F. Building Construction i. Types of Construction ii. Building Materials iii. Building Components G. Fire Protection Systems i. Extinguishment Systems ii. Detection Systems iii. Signaling Systems iv. Other Building Services H. Basic Principles of Electricity i. Basic Electricity ii. Wiring Systems iii. Common Electrical Systems I. Health and Safety i. Methods of Identification ii. Common Causes of Accidents iii. Common Causes of Injuries 3

4 J. Fire Scene Investigations a. Examining the Fire Scene b. Securing the Fire Scene c. Documenting the Fire Scene d. Evidence Collection and Preservation e. Exterior Examination K. Determining Point of Origin i. Interior Examination ii. Area of Origin iii. Fire Patterns iv. Other Indicators v. Scene Reconstruction vi. Point of Origin L. Types of Fire Causes i. Accidental ii. Natural iii. Incendiary iv. Undetermined M. Vehicle Fires i. Examination of Scene ii. Examination of Exterior iii. Examination of Driver and Passenger Areas iv. Examination of Fuel System v. Examination of Electrical System N. Firesetters i. Characteristics of Arson ii. Common Motives 4

5 [Course/Instructor Specific Required Reading Materials and Supplies Technology Requirements This course requires some online participation via Online Aims (Desire 2 Learn). Availability to a computer with internet access is required to obtain course information, complete assignments, and communicate via your college account. You will need to allow time for technical malfunctions in order to meet required due dates. If you are having problems with Aims Online, please contact the helpdesk at You will be required to utilize the online material provided by your textbook publisher for some assignments. Computers are available on campus for student use. Please consult with your instructor if you have questions. Attendance Requirements [Course/Instructor Specific] 5

6 Grading Criteria [Course/Instructor Specific] [Instructor Specific] Other Course Requirements/Expectations [Semester Specific] Class Schedule [Instructor Specific] Reading Requirements [Instructor Specific] Due Dates Course Evaluations: Course Evaluations provide valuable feedback to Instructors. Students are encouraged to complete the online course evaluation survey during the last two weeks of the course. Other short course evaluations will be available at various times, depending on the course start and end times. Students will receive an message directing them to a website where they can login using their Aims ID and complete evaluations. Course evaluations are confidential. Standard Syllabus Policies The standard syllabus academic policies are located at the following website: 6