Class Descriptions

NFPA 921: A Guide to Fire Investigation
This course is an overview of NFPA 921 (2001).

This 4 day course is a tested course and is open to any firefighter, police officer, prosecutor and coroner who may be involved in fire investigation. Certificate of completion will be awarded.

CFI Expert Witness Testimony

An IAAI accredited course. This course is designed to meet the minimum qualifications for CFI points in the category of expert witness testimony. Classes are limited to 8 participants.

CFI Electrical Fire Investigation

This class explores electrical theory and combines live demonstrations with numerous case examples. Great practical field application. Testing for CFI included.

Scene Preservation

This program was developed to assist all investigators in understanding how public and private investigators can work together investigating the same scene. Presented by an instructor with experience representing both public and private interests, you can gain a tremendous practical understanding of issues regarding spoiliation and preservation of a fire scene.

Fire Scene Documentation

This program is designed to demonstrate methods of documentation. Emphasis will be on photography, diagramming, report writing and will cover some legal aspects of scene documentation.

Expert Witness Experience

This is a unique experience to practice your expert testimony skills in an attorney education program. The class is in cooperation with IU Law School and is part of the curriculum for law students and continuing education for practicing attorneys. There is a Public investigator role and a private investigator role. Following is an account written by a participant.

"As a participant in this class I would like to share some of my experiences. The reports and case scenarios are embarrassing to any competent fire investigator, but that's not the objective, so get over it. There is a case that allows great flexibility for both investigators, and you get an opportunity to work with attorneys/students to identify strengths and weaknesses in the case. You get to use your expertise to assist attorneys at the bench to develop proper cross examination, and most importantly, you get to practice on the stand your own techniques in combating cross examinations. As if that's not enough, the real professional attorneys critique the direct exams and the cross-exams after each 10-15 minute segment. You get to hear the strategies that these professionals propose, and you get insight into courtroom strategies that any good trial attorney is going to implement. At the end of the day, I learned a lot and am anticipating the next time that we get to provide this experience. "