Standard

R State Standard £ Institutionally Developed College: n/a

FSC 270 – Fire/Arson Investigation
Course Description
Presents an introduction to Fire Investigation. Emphasis is placed upon: fire behavior, combustion properties of various materials, sources of ignition, and investigative techniques for - structures, grassland, wildland, automobiles, vehicles, ships and other types of fire investigation, causes of electrical fires, chemical fires, explosive evaluations, laboratory operation, Techniquest used in fire deaths and injuries, arson as a crime, other techniques, State and Federal laws, and future trends in fire investigative technology.
Competency Areas	Hours
Introduction	Class	4
The Elementary Chemistry of Combustion	D. Lab	2
The Nature and Behavior of Fire	P. Lab/O.B.I.	0
Combustion Properties of Liquids and Compressed Gases	Credit	5
Combustion Properties of Solid Fuels
Sources of Ignition
Structure Fires
Grass and Wild land Fires
Automobiles, Motor Vehicles and Ship Fires
Electrical Causes of Fire
Clothing and Fabric Fires
Explosions and Explosive Combustion
Chemical Fires and Hazardous Materials
Laboratory Services
Fire Related Deaths and Injuries
Arson as a Crime
Other Investigative Topics
Federal and State Legislation
Future Trends in Fire Investigation

Prerequisite:	Program Admission
Corequisite:	n/a

Course Guide

Competency	After completing this section, the student will be able to:	Hours
		Class	D.Lab	P.Lab/ O.B.I.
Introduction		1	0	0
	Discuss the various types of losses caused by fires.
	Identify the responsibilities of the fire scene investigators.
	Recognize the need for an analytical approach to the fire investigation.
The Elementary Chemistry of Combustion		1	0	0
	Explain the chemical reaction that takes place during oxidation.
	List the three most basic reactions of fire.
	Describe the relationship of hydrocarbons to petroleum products.
	Distinguish the differences between carbohydrates and hydrocarbons.
The Nature and Behavior of Fire		3	2	0
	List the conditions that must exist for a fire to occur.
	Contract the characteristics of flaming versus glowing fires.
	Discuss the special considerations of heat as applied to fire investigation.
	State the role of various environmental conditions and their effect on fires.
Combustion Properties of Liquids and Compressed Gases		2	2	0
	Identify physical properties associated with different types of fuels.
	Indicate the explosive ranges of gas and vapor fuels.
	Describe the difference between flash point and flame point for combustible liquids.
	Calculate the vapor density of a gas and vapor.
	Discuss the specific properties of hydrocarbon fuels and their impotence to fire investigation.
	List the three main ways that fuel gases escape from enclosed pipes.
Combustion Properties of Solid Fuels		2	2	0
	Identify the combustion properties of wood as a fuel.
	Locate on a section of wood the progressive formation of car and paralysis zones during its normal combustion.
	Describe the complex relationship between temperature and time and its effects on the ignition of wooden structures.
	Identify the flaming characteristics of common plastics.
	Determine when flames color and smoke production may be of significance to the investigator.
Sources of Ignition		3	2	0
	Clarify the relationship of various ignition sources to various fuels.
	Examine the physical and chemical laws in determining ignition sources.
	List the ways gas appliance, heaters, and electricity can be sources of ignition.
	Describe four ways in which a fireplace is instrumental in initiating a fire.
	Identify miscellaneous sources of ignition.
	Define spontaneous combustion.
	Determine the temperature of the surface of a glass bulb depending on its wattage and position.
Structure Fires		3	2	0
	List the purposes of a fire investigator.
	Determine the elements of building construction under which a structure might be listed.
	Trace the behavior of a small flame as it grows into a large fire following the general principles of fire behavior.
	Describe the search patterns used prior to the actual search for evidence.
	Analyze V-patterns to determine the direction and intensity of the burn.
	Discuss the common sense rules related to the behavior or ignitable liquids.
	Interpret char depth to determine intensity and relative fire exposure.
	Identify instances in which spalling occurs.
	Describe how glass can be a valuable indicator to the fire scene investigator.
	Discuss the importance of fire scene documentation using both photographs and sketches.
Grass and Wildland Fires		2	0	0
	Explain fire direction of wildland and grass fires depending on wind, fuel and terrain.
	Determine the area of origin, what fuel was present, and what source of heat ignited the fire.
	Restate guidelines for collection and preservation of physical evidence peculiar to wildland fire investigations.
Motor Vehicle and Ship Fires		2	2	0
	Describe how the fuel systems in automobiles and more vehicles react during vehicle fires.
	Locate the flash point of vehicle fluids on a table showing temperature and ignition sources.
	List reasons why fires develop quickly in recreational vehicles.
Electrical Causes of Fire		2	2	0
	Identify the difference between static and current electricity.
	Use Ohm’s law to solve either for the resistance or the current.
	List the three factors to determine the resistance of a conductor.
	Identify hazards most likely found in over current protective devices.
	Discuss ignition by electrical mans caused either by conduction heating or arcing conditions.
	Determine which electrical appliances deserve special attention because of a higher possible contribution to fire causation.
	Focus on electrical causation by addressing a series of questions and possibilities.
	Identify post fire indicators for possible cause.
Clothing and Fabric Fires		2	2	0
	List natural and synthetic fibers and their properties of combustion.
	Identify fire hazards as they pertain to fabric found in garments.
	State the regulations under the Flammable Fabrics Act of 1953 and how it has evolved over the years.
	Discuss the laws governing the flammability of mattresses and upholstered furniture.
Explosions and Explosive Combustion		2	0	0
	Define diffuse explosive mixtures and concentrated explosives.
	Discuss the similarities between explosions and fires.
	Explain diffuse-phase explosions in relation to gases, vapors, dust suspensions, and ignition.
	Identify the chemical structures responsible for the sudden release of energy in dense-phase explosions.
	Use a table to isolate the critical temperature for a common explosive.
	Describe the differences between primary and main charge explosives.
	Explain the “Four R’s” and “Four C’s” used at the search scene when investigating explosions.
Chemical Fires and Hazardous Materials		3	2	0
	Identify the most commonly encountered hazardous materials and the effects they may be expected to have on a fire scene.
	State the precaution necessary when a clandestine drug laboratory is discovered.
Laboratory Services		2	0	0
	Describe IAAI’s influence on laboratory services available to states.
	Identify the components of general fire evidence.
	List additional laboratory tests that help indicate the use of an incendiary ignition device or unusually high fuel load.
	Explain the different screening methods to identify volatile accelerants.
	Give examples of types of residues left by chemical incendiaries.
	Discuss the importance of non-fire-related criminal evidence as related to a fire service.
Fire Related Deaths and Injuries		2	0	0
	Discuss the problems the investigator must consider whenever human remains are discovered at a fire scene.
	Explain the process involved in removing the body of the victim in a homicide investigation.
	Describe the effects of fire on the human body and other pathological findings significant to the fire investigator.
	Define carbon monoxide asphyxiation.
	Describe the depth of a human injury to the tissue as it is measured in degrees.
Arson		3	0	0
	List three elements of the crime of arson.
	Define the six major motives as classified by the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime.
	Describe the organization characteristics of an arsonist as to location and type of accelerant.
Other Investigative Topics		2	2	0
	Discuss safety related issues and steps an investigator is required to take when assessing a fire scene.
	Describe pros and cons of fire modeling.
	Discuss landmark cases that affect admissibility of evidence recovered at fire scenes.
	Examine the various sources of information available to the arson investigator.
	Define the “Chain of Evidence” as it pertains to evidence collection.
	Discuss issues concerning the expert witness.
Federal and State Legislation		2	0	0
	Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the Georgia State Annotated Code for firefighting.
	Demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the NFPA 91 standard.
	Discuss proper actions to be taken in a courtroom atmosphere.
	Discuss understanding of working with the local attorney.
Future Trends in Fire Investigation		1	0	0
	Demonstrate both knowledge and understanding of the following concepts concerning the future of the fire service: spoliation, fire modeling, and federal legislation.

Suggested Resources

Media (text/audio/ visual/www/ other)	Author	Title: Subtitle	Edition	Place of Publication	Year	Publisher/Publication	pp.
Text	DeHann	Kirk’s Fire Investigation	6^th Ed.			Brady
Text		NFPA 921 Standard
text		Georgia State Annotated Code
Web Page		www.interfere.org

Posted: 06/24/08