Departmental Course Syllabus

 

Department: Protective Services / Fire Science              Revision Date:  11/25/07

San Antonio College * 1300 San Pedro* San Antonio, TX* 78212-4299

 

Course Number and Title:  FIRT 2333 Fire and Arson Investigation II

 

Credit Hours:  Lecture: 3 Hours  Lab: 0 Hours  Credit Hours: 3

 

Instructor:  Captain Gary Fox

 

Office: CAC 136                                               Phone Number: (210) 733-2887            FAX: (210) 733-2889

Email:   cptfox@aol.com    gfox@accd.edu         Web Address: http://www.accd.edu/sac/protserv/fire

 

I.          Catalog Description:

This course is a continuation of FIRT 1303, Fire and Arson Investigations I. Topics that will be studied will include reports, courtroom demeanor, and expert witnesses.

II.        Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements:

                FIRT 1303

III.      Text:

DeHaan, John D. Kirk's Fire Investigation. Brady Publishers. NFPA 921: Guide to Fire and Explosions Investigations

 

IV.        Instruction will consist of:

                Lecture, demonstration, and class presentations

 

V.         Course Content:

This course is intended to provide the student with advance technical knowledge on the rule of law, fire scene analysis, fire behavior, evidence collection and preservation, scene documentation, case preparation and testifying.

VI.        Learning Outcomes and Performance Objectives with their methods of measurement as used to determine the students’ mastery of those outcomes.  

          Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Explain the rule of law as it pertains to arrest, search and seizure procedures and their application to fire investigations.
2. Recognize and interpret fire scenes common to various types of fires.
3. Describe the chemistry of combustion and the relationship of atoms, elements, compounds, and organic compounds on fire.
4. Explain the nature and behavior of fire including the effects of heat.
5. Explain and identify the combustion properties of liquids, gases and solid fuels.
6. Identify and explain electrical causes of fires,
7. List and explain the procedures for lifting fingerprints, evidence collection and preservation.
8. List and identify the make-up and use of incendiary devices, explosives, and bombs.
9. List the procedures for documenting fire scenes, including sketching, photography, and report writing.
10. Analyze fire-related deaths and injuries and describe methods of documentation.
11. Identify the techniques for interviewing and questioning suspects and subjects.
12. Explain the role of the fire investigator in courtroom proceedings including courtroom demeanor and testifying.
13. Identify and list the sources and technology available for fire investigations

 

Learning Outcome:

Performance Objectives/Method(s) of measurement for each objective:

Students will be evaluated based on their overall averages from the assignments, quizzes, examinations and class projects.

 

SCANS Competencies Link: (SCANS COMPETENCIES are only required for courses which are a part of an AAS degree plan.)

 

The know-how identified by SCANS is made up of five competencies and a three-part foundation of skills and personal qualities needed for solid job performance. The rating level ranges from 1 (low) to 5 (high). Click the SCANS COMPETENCIES link to access it.

 

 

VII.      Course requirements and grade computation.

A.         College Requirements:

A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed two and one-half hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.

 

A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded “F.” Postponed examinations result in a grade of “I.” The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes an “F.” (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook - January 1995)

B.         Departmental Requirement:

                        Course grade will be based as follows:

90 to 100 = A
80 to 90 = B
70 to 79 = C
60 to 69 = D
Below 60 = F

C.         Instructor Requirements:  Same as Above

 

VIII.    College Policies:

A.         San Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability with respect to access, employment programs or services.

B.         Students are urged not to bring children to either a class or a lab. Minors under the age of twelve (12) must not be left unattended on campus. College Academic Council - April, 1998

C.         ADA Statement: “As per Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, if accommodation is needed contact the Office of DisABILITY Support Services, CAC 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

D.         A Rapid Response Team exists for the purpose of responding to emergencies. If you have a disability that will require assistance in the event of a building evacuation, notify Disability Support Services, Chance Academic Center 124C, Phone: (210) 733-2347.

E.         Academic Dishonesty: Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings resulting

in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for academic dishonesty. Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism and collusion. For additional information refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” in the San Antonio College Bulletin.

F.         Students are required to silence all electronic devices (e.g., pagers, cellular phones, etc.) when in classrooms, laboratories and the library. College Academic Council, 01/ 2000.

G.         San Antonio College Attendance Policy: Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories, day and/or evening, is required. A student absent for any reason is responsible for all work missed. Both tardiness and early departure from class are forms of absenteeism. The instructor establishes the policy with regard to each.

Absences of each student are recorded without exception. The counting of absences begins on the first day of class. A student absent the equivalent of two weeks of instruction in a 16-week semester may be dropped by the instructor. If a student is dropped from a class for excessive absences, the instructor will record a grade of “W’ (withdraw). It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the withdrawals have been submitted.

H.         San Antonio College is a smoke free campus.

I.          ACCD DPS Emergency Phone Numbers:

ACCD DPS Emergency Phone     (210) 222-0911

ACCD DPS General Phone          (210) 208-8099

ACCD DPS Weather Phone         (210) 208-8189 (For information on college closures)

J.                   Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules set forth in the “Student Code of Conduct” and all other policies set forth in the San Antonio College Bulletin. www.accd.edu/sa/sacmain/schedule/SAC_Bulletin_05-06.pdf