Tuition: $600, 15 student limit.

This course may be self or agency reported for 40 hours of TCOLE credit hours.

Students are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to bring a DSLR Camera, Tripod and Photography Kit.

Course Description

This course is an intensive 40-hour training program designed to meet the needs of Fire/Arson Investigators, Law Enforcement Investigators, and Crime Scene Technicians in fire scene evidence identification, preservation, analysis, documentation, and collection.

This course goes beyond the origin and cause aspect of fire investigation, and instead focuses on fire scenes in which a criminal offense is suspected. This may vary from arson, serial arson, questionable fire deaths, and murder investigations in which fire was used as a method of crime scene concealment.

This curriculum was developed by active fire and arson investigators, criminal investigators, and other professionals from around the State of Texas. Participants will be challenged in the various disciplines through classroom instruction and field practicums in the specialized training blocks. Participants will complete written in-class competency exams to demonstrate mastery of the subject areas. The goal of this course is to prepare the Fire Investigator and/or Crime Scene Investigator to recognize key elements and to improve the process of evidence documentation, analysis, recovery, and submission.

Target Audience

Fire Investigators, Arson Investigators, Law Enforcement, Criminal Investigator, Crime Scene Technician

This course focuses on the following topics:

NFPA 921/1033
Methodology
Case Management
Legal Authority/Case Law Overview
First Arrival Responsibilities
Case Study (Fire Fatality - Homicide)
Fire Science/Fire Dynamics
Fire Scene Documentation
Crime Scene Photography
Scene Sketches & Diagrams
Fire Fatalities
Evidence Collection & Documentation
5th & 6th Amendment Case Law
Interview and Interrogation
Digital Forensics and Fire investigations
Post-Fire Scene Investigative Techniques
Courtroom Testimony and Report Writing
Case Preparation and Class Project Presentations

To Register for the class:

Submit a payment using the form below.

Important Information:

Registration ends 5 p.m. on the date specified.

You will be required to attend in person at the specified academy location at 8 am. In most cases, the testing location will be at Station 13, 3300 Hilliard Road, San Marcos, Texas. Please plan for at least eight hours.

Failing the course, final exam, or not attending the final exam/skills day will result in you having to pay the full tuition to attend the next available course. We no longer allow students to sit in on the next course or roll over to the next skills day as it had been allowed before. You must complete all coursework and skills associated to the course that you originally register for. If you are unable to attend any portion of the original course, you must contact Texas Fire Academy admissions to change the course.