MCCCD Program Description

Fire Investigation II

Course: FSC210

First Term: 2018 Fall

Lec + Lab 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: T Lab Load

Description: Focus on practical skills for fire investigators. Emphasis on hands-on application with practice examining and recording the fire/arson scene. Includes class room and field exercises on each section.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of investigating and processing a vehicle fire scene properly and safely by assessing scene safety, processing the fire scene properly in search of the origin and cause. (I) 2. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of photographing a vehicle fire scene by assessing needed light and using a camera for photography to record the scene. (I) 3. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of collecting evidence in a vehicle fire scene by identifying suspected evidence (primary and comparison) and collecting the evidence properly. (I) 4. Identify fire patterns and explain how they affect the fire and influence the fire scene. (II) 5. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of investigating and processing a wildland fire scene properly and safely by assessing scene safety, processing the fire scene properly in search of the origin and cause. (III) 6. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of photographing a wildland fire scene by assessing needed light and using a camera for photography to record the scene. (III) 7. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of collecting evidence in a wildland fire scene by identifying suspected evidence (primary and comparison) and collecting the evidence properly. (III) 8. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of collecting fire and arson physical evidence by processing fire scene and identifying suspected evidence (primary and comparison) and collecting the evidence properly. (IV) 9. Identify electrical fire causes and explain how they affect the fire and influence the fire scene. (V) 10. Discuss the basic principles of electricity as it affects locating the origin and cause of a fire. (V) 11. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of fire scene photography by photographing a fire scene. (VI) 12. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of sketching a fire scene properly by sketching the layout of a building and fire patterns located in a fire scene. (VII) 13. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of investigating and processing a building fire scene properly and safely by assessing scene safety, processing the fire scene properly in search of the origin and cause. (VIII) 14. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of photographing a building fire scene by assessing needed light and using a camera for photography to record the scene. (VIII) 15. Demonstrate the practical knowledge of collecting evidence in a building fire scene by identifying suspected evidence (primary and comparison) and collecting the evidence properly. (VIII) 16. Identify the types of fire causes and differentiate between accidental and incendiary causes. (VIII) 17. Explain how an investigator determines the point of origin in a room by examining fire patterns in a building and properly identifying the point of origin. (VIII) 18. Explain why interviewing is important to the overall fire investigation by interviewing a potential suspect and witness and assess the relationship of those interviews to determining the point of origin. (IX)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Vehicle Fires A. Investigation B. Responsibilities C. Safety D. Combustibility of vehicles 1. Accidental vehicle fires 2. Incendiary vehicle fires E. Modern vehicle safety design 1. Ignition system 2. Vehicle history F. Incident scene investigation 1. Hands on scene examination G. Processing the fire scene properly 1. Identify the fire`s point of origin 2. Identify the cause 3. Photography 4. Collecting evidence H. Motives and vehicle arson II. Fire Patterns A. Dynamics of fire development and heat & flame spread B. Patterns 1. V patterns on vertical surfaces 2. Inverted cone pattern 3. Hourglass patterns 4. U-shaped patterns 5. Pointer and arrow patterns 6. Circular-shaped patterns III. Wildland Fires A. Causes B. Characteristics C. Effects of wind and terrain D. Examining the fire scene E. Agencies to assist with investigations F. Photography G. Collecting evidence IV. Fire and Arson Physical Evidence A. Preservation of the fire scene and physical evidence B. Fire patterns as physical evidence C. Artifact evidence D. Role and responsibilities of fire suppression personnel E. Contamination of physical evidence F. Methods of collection G. Documenting the collection of physical evidence H. Collection of evidence for accelerant testing I. Samples 1. Collection of gaseous samples 2. Collection of electrical equipment and system components 3. Collection of appliances or small electrical equipment J. Evidence containers K. Identification and transportation 1. Chain of custody 2. Examination and testing V. Electrical Fires A. Primary causes B. Examining electrical services and equipment C. Evaluating damage to wire D. Examining electrical appliances E. Considerations caused from electrical sources VI. Photography A. Camera operation B. Storage of photographs C. Procedures for investigative photography D. Photographs for use in court VII. Fire Scene Sketching A. Purpose B. Types of sketches and materials C. Areas for sketching D. Minimum requirements of sketch E. Sketching systems F. Platting methods VIII. Hands on scene examination A. Scene safety B. Processing the fire scene properly to identify causes C. Photography D. Collecting evidence IX. Interviews and interrogations A. Goals 1. Obtain truth 2. Secondary goals B. Procedures for conducting interviews C. Procedures for conducting interrogations

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 3/22/2011

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.