FIRE 1180 - Fire Science 1

Objectives: The student will:

1. Given definitions of fire investigation terms, match terms to their definitions with 90% accuracy.
2. Demonstrate the use of fire investigation terms in classroom discussions to the satisfaction of the instructor.

Outcome 2: Upon completion of this course the student will identify the basic method used to investigate a fire.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Identify the scientific method of investigation.
2. Identify the six major steps of a fire investigation.

Outcome 3: Upon completion of this course the student will define fire behavior.

Objectives: The student will:

1. List and define the four components of a fire tetrahedron.
2. List and define the three methods of heat transfer.
3. Define ignition.
4. Define fuel load.
5. Identify fire development.
6. List the products of combustion.
7. Identify fire pattern development.

Outcome 4: Upon completion of this course the student will identify fire patterns.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Define fire patterns.
2. Identify movement patterns.
3. Define wood char.
4. Identify spalling.
5. Define oxidation.
6. Identify the melting of materials.
7. Identify thermal expansion and deformation of materials.
8. Define smoke and soot.
9. Identify clean burn areas.
10. Identify calcination.
11. Identify the role of glass in a fire investigation.
12. Identify the location of patterns.
13. Identify pattern geometry.

Outcome 5: Upon completion of this course the student will identify legal considerations relating to fire investigations.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Define arson according to Michigan law.
2. List and define the Michigan Arson Statutes
3. List relevant factors to be considered prior to an arson investigation.
4. Identify civil litigation, negligence, and product liability.
5. Define expert testimony.
6. Define the difference between administrative and criminal search warrants.

Outcome 6: Upon completion of this course the student will identify basic considerations of concern to the investigator prior to the beginning of the incident scene investigation.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Identify basic incident information.
2. List the basic functions that are commonly performed in each investigation.

Outcome 7: Upon completion of this course the student will identify sources of information.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Identify the Freedom of Information Act.
2. Identify the purpose of an interview.
3. Identify governmental sources of information.

Outcome 8: Upon completion of this course the student will demonstrate the recording of a scene.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Identify photographic preservation documentation of the fire scene.
2. Identify photography techniques used during a fire investigation.
3. Demonstrate notetaking techniques
4. Demonstrate their capability to create a fire investigation drawing according to nationally recognized standards.

Outcome 9: Upon completion of this course the student will demonstrate physical evidence examination and testing.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Define physical evidence.
2. Identify when to collect physical evidence.
3. Define comparison or control samples.
4. Demonstrate how to preserve physical evidence.
5. Identify methods of collection.
6. Identify evidence containers.
7. Identify physical evidence.
8. Identify the chain of custody of physical evidence.
9. Identify examination and testing of physical evidence.

Outcome 10: Upon completion of this course the student will identify safety requirements for fire investigators.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Identify the safety factor that should require at least two investigators at a fire scene.
2. List the personal protective equipment needed at a fire scene.
3. Identify fire scene hazards.
4. Identify structural stability.
5. Identify status of all utilities
6. Identify the safety of the fire scene atmosphere.

Outcome 11: Upon completion of this course, the student will identify the fire origin.

Objectives: The student will

1. Define fire origin.
2. Identify fire damage assessment by notes, photography, vector, diagrams, and depth‐of‐char grid diagrams.
3. Demonstrate a preliminary scene assessment.
4. Demonstrate a preliminary scenario development.
5. Demonstrate a detailed exterior surface examination.
6. Demonstrate a detailed interior surface examination.
7. Identify pre‐fire conditions.
8. Demonstrate fire scene reconstruction.
9. Identify fire‐spread scenario.
10. Define a total burn.

Outcome 12: Upon completion of this course, the student will identify cause determination.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Define cause determination.
2. Identify an accidental fire cause.
3. Identify a natural fire cause.
4. Identify an incendiary fire cause.
5. Identify an undetermined fire cause.
6. Identify the source and form of heat ignition.
7. Identify first material ignited.
8. Identify ignition factor (cause).

Outcome 13: Upon completion of this course, the student will define explosions.

Objectives: The student will:

1. Identify the types of explosions.
2. Define BLEVEs.
3. Identify the orders of explosions.
4. Identify the effects of explosions.
5. Identify factors controlling explosion effects.
6. Identify seated, nonseated, gas/vapor, dust, and smoke explosions.
7. Define explosives.
8. Demonstrate investigating the explosive scene.

Outcome 14: Upon completion of this course, the student will identify the motivation of a fire setter.

Objective: The student will describe the fire scene conditions or situations which assist in the identification of the most likely motive for a given fire. An acceptable response requires the student to describe in his or her own words three or more situations/conditions normally associated with at least five common arson motives.

Outcome 15: Upon completion of this course, the student will demonstrate ways in which information about a fire victim helps to determine the cause of death.

Objective: The student demonstrates ways in which information about a fire victim helps to determine the cause of death. An acceptable response requires specifying the type of information, gathering the information, and showing how the information is used to determine the cause of death in a given fire.

1. Introduction/ Course Overview
2. Role of 1st Responder
3. Basic Fire Science
4. Fire Patterns
5. Building Systems
6. Electricity
7. Legal Considerations
8. Fire Inspector Scene Safety
9. Physical Evidence
10. Finding the Origin
11. Fire Cause
12. Incendiary Fires
13. Fire & Explosion Deaths
14. Appliance, Motor Vehicle Fires
15. Interfire Follow that Case