FIRE 214 - Fire Investigation

Credits: 3
Variable Credit Course: No

Lecture Hours: 33
Lab Hours: 0
Worksite/Clinical Hours: 0
Other Hours (LIA/Internships): 0

Course Description: Provides the fundamental 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 fire setter, and types of fire causes. Assists the student in meeting the job performance requirements of NFPA 1033, Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigator, and prepares the student for Washington State certification testing for Fire Investigator.

Prerequisite: None.
Meets FQE Requirement: No
Integrative Experience Requirement: No

Student Learning Outcomes

Inspect and evaluate a fire scene to determine the area or point of origin, source of ignition, materials ignited, and act or activity that brought ignition source and materials together and to assess the subsequent progression, extinguishment, and containment of a hostile fire.
Diagram a fire scene, photographing and taking field notes to be used to compile a final report.
Use proper physical and legal procedures to retain evidence required within an investigation.
Obtain fire investigation information from others through verbal communication.
Investigate factors beyond a fire scene at the time of origin and cause determination.
Present findings to individuals not involved in the actual investigations.
PROGRAM OUTCOME: Students will possess a knowledge and skill set that allows them to be effective in preventing hostile fire emergencies occurring in their community.

Course Contents

Organization, responsibilities, authority and safety.
Fire dynamics: behavior, chemistry, physics, and explosion dynamics.
Basics of building construction and services as they relate to the fire investigator.
Basic electricity for the fire investigator. Investigative process.
Scene security. Scene documentation.
Evidence collection and preservation. Interviews.
Fire & explosion scene examination, area of origin determination, debris examination, removal, and reconstruction.
Ignition source, ignition sequence, and cause determination. Presentation of investigative findings.

Instructional Units: 3