Fire Related Courses

Introduction to Fire Origin and Cause

Length of Seminar: 2 Days
Instructor: Steve Chasteen

Course Overview:
LEGAL UPDATE:
This section will examine recent court decisions regarding search and seizure and their effect on the rights of the investigator to enter an explosive/fire scene. This section includes the rights and legal limits an investigator has under a consent search, administrative search warrant, and a criminal search warrant. In addition, the owner’s right to enter the scene during an investigation will be addressed.

The student will be able to:

1. Explain the major court decisions governing the investigator’s rights to conduct explosive/fire scene investigations.
2. Identify when an administrative search warrant or a criminal search warrant is required when conducting the explosive/fire scene investigation.
3. Recognize the different types of evidence and how each affects the case.
4. Discuss the effects and changes of the Miranda vs. Arizona case on the fire investigator in conducting interviews.

MOTIVES: Motive is not an element of proof in the crime of arson; however, it is an integral part of the case. Motive can convince the jury the defendant is connected to the arson. This section will examine the different motives which are the underlying causes for arson.

The student will be able to:

1. Explain the different motives for arson.
2. Identify the three elements of arson.
3. Identify the two basic types of arson for profit.
4. Demonstrate how to use the insurance fraud investigation chart.

FIRE SCENE DOCUMENTATION: Complete and accurate documentation of the fire scene is the single most important factor of fire investigation. Hundreds of hours can be spent compiling facts, figures, interviews, and related information to prove arson. This effort is futile if not substantiated by accurate documentation and uncontaminated evidence. Investigators must remember all effort is for courtroom presentation. This section examines the investigator’s work products (notes/sketches), final written report, photography, diagrams, and evidence collection.

The student will be able to:

1. Identify the essential elements of a fire report.
2. Compare and contrast terminology used in fire reports.
3. Identify items which are not protected by the confidentiality of the investigator’s work
4. Explain why reports are written.
5. Recognize the four ways evidence can be located on a diagram.
6. Describe the use of demonstrative evidence and exhibits to market the investigation.

INTERVIEW: The most important activity in an arson investigation, excluding fire scene investigation and documentation, are the property owner interview and subsequent interviews of individuals involved. This section will cover basic interviewing techniques.

The student will be able to:

1. Explain the primary purpose of the first owner interview.
2. Compare and contrast the first owner interview with the follow up interviews.
3. Explain the importance of interviewing the owner early in the investigation.
4. Explain how and why the investigator should use a check list in conducting an interview.

FIRE CHEMISTRY/DYNAMICS: Fire is a physical phenomenon, as well as a chemical reaction. This section will examine the physical characteristics of fire. Content will cover the stages of fire, fire tetrahedron, flammable principles, fuels, flame spread, fire behavior, heat transfer, types of flames, phases of fire, flash over, smoke explosions (back draft), and high temperature fires.

The student will be able to:

1. Describe the various stages of fire and compare the conditions in each.
2. Explain vapor density and its effect on air ratio forms.
3. Compare and contrast the methods of heat transfer.
4. Identify the characteristics of a high temperature fire.

FIRE INDICATORS AND FIRE PATTERN RECOGNITION: The investigator utilizes indicators to reconstruct the path of the fire. The indicators are not precise or fool proof. No single indicator should be used to establish arson or other fire cause. All circumstances must be considered. This section will examine fire myths, effects of construction on fire patterns, and burn/char patterns. This section includes a video of a comparison burn; accelerated fire versus ordinary combustibles.

The student will be able to:

1. Describe the outcome of molted aluminum drippings on copper and forming a bimetal alloy.
2. Interpret and compare large shiny char patterns to small dull char patterns.
3. Explain what annealed (collapsed) springs indicate.
4. Compare narrow angle “V” patterns with wide angle “V” patterns.