Course description
Understand the application, interpretation and determination of Fire investigation and explosive deflagrations in the criminal, civil judicial process and the specific application of fire and explosion investigation skills in real world applications and investigations.
You will be introduced to a range of topics associated with this discipline. These topics will be supplemented with practical sessions involving the examination of small arms and ammunition within a forensic context. This short course, which will be taught at MSc standard, is one of the modules that comprise the postgraduate Forensic Modular Masters Programme.
Upcoming start dates
Suitability - Who should attend?
This course will be of interest to graduates and more experienced workers that already have an understanding of firearms and ammunition function who are looking to advance their knowledge in forensic firearms investigations.
You must have completed the Introduction to Fire Investigation course in order to take this as a Short Course for Credit or an appropriate degree or relevant work experience.
Outcome / Qualification etc.
What you will learn
On successful completion of this module a student should be able to:
- Have an in-depth knowledge of Fire investigation. Including the myths and areas for possible miscarriages
- Cognitive bias and its role in FI.
- Understand, apply and critique the principals of fire investigation in regard to multiple origin and Cause and explosive events
- Evaluate the area of origin and cause of a fire in multiple events including arsons, electrical, self-heating, friction, instantaneous combustion and deflagrate, Bleve’s
- Understanding material behaviours within fires. Glass, Timber, Metals etc. etc.
- Identify, discuss, interoperate critique fire spread, fire damage and explosive patterns.
- Understand the basics of electrical fires, safe working practices, Fire risk hazards.
- Understand fire behaviour and Fire modelling.
- Understand, apply and interpret analytical techniques and results, (GCMS, SEM and XRAY diff.
- 1Undertake a complex practical fire investigation including photography, packaging, excavation and note taking, origin and cause determination and statement writing.
- Provide a written O&C report and be informally cross examined.
Training Course Content
Core content
- Assessment of case studies, Miscarriages of Justice
- The Myths of Fire investigation
- Electrical Services/Equipment and H&S
- Explosive Deflagrations/Bleves
- Materials in fire and their behaviours. Theory/Practical
- Ignitable liquids, identification, Analysis and interpretation.
- Fire modelling/Compartment design.
- Practical complex fire scene with ignitable liquids/ accelerants
- Report and statement writing. Court room Experience.
Course delivery details
Course structure
Lectures, tutorials and laboratory exercises.
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Cranfield University
Cranfield is a specialist postgraduate university that is a global leader for education and transformational research in technology and management. We have many world-class, large-scale facilities, including our own global research airport, which offers a unique environment for transformational education...