STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Explain the rule of law as it pertains to arrest, search and seizure procedures and their application to fire investigations.

 II.     Recognize and interpret fire scenes common to various types of fires.

 III.    Describe the chemistry of combustion and the relationship of atoms, elements, compounds, and organic compounds on fire.

 IV.     Explain the nature and behavior of fire including the effects of heat.

 V.      Explain and identify the combustion properties of liquids, gases, and solid fuels.

 VI.     Identify and explain electrical causes of fires.

 VII.    List and explain the procedures for lifting fingerprints, evidence collection and preservation.

 VIII.   List and identify the make-up and use of incendiary devices, explosives, and bombs.

 IX.     List the procedures for documenting fire scenes, including sketching, photography, and report writing.

 X       Analyze fire-related deaths and injuries and describe methods of documentation.

 XI.     Identify the techniques for interviewing and questioning suspects and subjects.

 XII.    Explain the role of the fire investigator in courtroom proceedings including courtroom demeanor and testifying.

 XIII.   Identify and list the sources and technology available for fire investigations.

 XIV.    Identify and analyze the causes involved in the line of duty firefighter deaths related to structural and wildland firefighting, training and research, and the reduction of emergency risks and accidents.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Rule of Law

         A.      Arrest Procedures

         B.      Search and Seizure

         C.      Warrant Searches

 II.     Interpretations of Fire Scenes

         A.      Structure Fires

         B.      Vehicle Fires

         C.      Ship Fires

         D.      Explosions

         E.      Wildland Fires

         F.      Hazardous Materials Fires

 III.    Chemistry of Combustion

         A.      Atoms

         B.      Elements

         C.      Compounds

         D.      Organic Compounds

 IV.     Behavior of Fire

         A.      Heat

         B.      Flame Plumes

         C.      Sequence of a Room Fire

         D.      Effects of Environmental Conditions

 V.      Combustion Properties

         A.      Liquids

         B.      Gases

         C.      Solids

 VI.     Electrical Causes of Fires

         A.      Wiring Systems

         B.      Ignition Sources

         C.      Investigation of Fires

 VII.    Collection of Evidence

         A.      Photography Procedures

         B.      Sketching Procedures and Techniques

         C.      Fingerprint Lifting and Collection Techniques

         D.      Preservation of Evidence

 VIII.   Incendiary Systems

         A.      Basic Incendiary Devices

         B.      Explosives

         C.      Bombs

 IX.     Documentation of Fire Scene

         A.      Sketches

         B.      Photographs

         C.      Incident Reports

         D.      Log Sheets

         E.      Investigation Report

         F.      Chain of Custody

 X       Investigation of Fire-related Deaths and Injuries

         A.      Homicide Fire Investigation

         B.      Scene Security

         C.      Scene Examination and Search

         D.      Scene Documentation

         E.      Autopsy Report

 XI.     Interview Techniques

         A.      Interviewing

         B.      Questioning

         C.      Advising of Rights

         D.      Exceptions to the Rule

         E.      Waiver of Rights

 XII.    Courtroom Demeanor

         A.      Court Procedures

         B.      Pre-trial Preparation

         C.      Trial Exhibits

         D.      Physical Appearance

         E.      Testifying

         F.      Court Decisions

 XIII.   Court Decisions

         A.      Daubert Decision

         B.      Benfield Decision

         C.      Kuhmo/Carmichael Decision

 XIV.    Sources of Information

         A.      Local

         B.      State

         C.      Federal

         D.      Website