Certified Fire Investigator Training - - Understanding Undetermined

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Understanding Undetermined

Credit Hours: 3
Approximate reading time: 0.5 Hours
Approximate online time: 0.5 Hours

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Disclaimer- NFPA and other resource editions cited within the CFITrainer.Net site were current as of the release of the respective modules. The field of fire investigation and its guiding documents are constantly evolving and it is incumbent upon the fire investigator to remain up to date with the guidance in the current editions of the documents referenced in all modules on CFITrainer.Net, regardless of which edition was used in the writing of the module.

Program Abstract

The word "undetermined" in the fire investigation context is often misunderstood, not least of all because it can refer both to the cause of a fire and the classification of a fire cause. This module will untangle the meanings of "undetermined," straighten out how to use the term correctly, talk about how not to use it, and describe how to properly report fires where "undetermined" is the cause or classification.

This module primarily deals with "undetermined" as a cause. For more information on "undetermined" as a classification, please see the module titled "Fire Investigation for Fire Officers."

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Accidental Causes

Accreditation & Certification

Alternative Energy

Building Construction & Systems

Commercial Fires

Electricity and Electrical Systems

Fire Science & Fire Flow Analysis

For Fire Officers

For Non-Investigators

Motor Vehicle Fires

Professional Development & Qualifications

Youth-Set Fires

IAAI Credential

IAAI-FIT® Track A

IAAI-FIT® Track B

IAAI Motor Vehicle Fire Credential Endorsement

Training Course Pre-Requisites

ATF ARSON-CS-0002 Advanced Origin and Cause/Courtroom Techniques

IAAI Fundamentals of Fire Investigation

IAAI Electrical Aspects of Fire Investigation

IAAI Expert Report Writing

IAAI Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony

IAAI Forensic Photography — Basic

IAAI Forensic Photography — Advanced

IAAI Investigating Youth-Set Fires

IAAI Marine Fire Investigation

IAAI Motor Vehicle Fire Investigation (2 Day and 3 Day)

National Fire Academy Fire Investigation: Essentials R0772

National Fire Academy Fire Investigation: Forensic Interviewing and Evidence R0780 and P0780

National Fire Academy Fire Investigation: Electrical Systems R0776

National Fire Academy Fire Investigation: Case Preparation and Testimony R0790

CFITrainer.Net Multi-Program Certificate

Fire Investigation for Fire Officers

Fire Investigation for the Insurance Industry

Fire Investigation Safety

Principles of Fire Investigation

NFPA 1033 (2022 Ed.) JPR

4.1.1 Meet JPRs in 4.2 Through 4.7

4.1.2 Employ Scientific Method

4.1.3 Complete Site Safety Assessment & Follow Standards

4.1.4 Maintain Liaison With Other Interested Professionals and Entities

4.1.5 Adhere to all Applicable Legal and Regulatory Requirements

4.1.6 Understand the Organization and Operation of the Investigative Team Within an IMS

4.1.7.1 to 4.1.7.3 Remaining Current & Continuing Education

4.2 Scene Examination

4.2.1 Secure the Fire Ground

4.2.2 Conduct Exterior Survey

4.2.3 Conduct Interior Survey

4.2.4 Interpret Fire Patterns Individually

4.2.5 Interpret and Analyze Fire Patterns Collectively

4.2.6 Examine and Remove Fire Debris

4.2.7 Reconstruct Potential Area(s) of Origin

4.2.8 Inspect and Analyze the Performance of Building Systems

4.2.9 Discriminate the Effects of Explosions

4.3 Documenting the Scene

4.3.1 Diagram the Scene

4.3.2 Photographically Document the Scene

4.3.3 Construct Investigative Notes

4.4 Evidence Collection/Preservation

4.4.1 Utilize Proper Procedures for Managing Victims and Fatalities

4.4.2 Locate, Document, Collect, Label, Package, and Store Evidence

4.4.3 Select Evidence for Analysis

4.4.4 Maintain a Chain of Custody

4.4.5 Dispose of Evidence

4.5.1 Develop an Interview Plan

4.5.2 Conduct Interviews

4.5.3 Evaluate Interview Information, Analyze, Correlated, and Corroborate

4.6 Post-Fire Investigation

4.6.1 Gather Reports and Records, Maintain Admissibility in Court

4.6.2 Evaluate the Investigative File

4.6.3 Coordinate Expert Resources

4.6.4 Establish Evidence as to Motive and/or Opportunity, Given an Incendiary Fire

4.6.5 Formulate an Opinion Concerning Origin, Cause, or Responsibility for a Fire

4.7 Presentations

4.7.1 Prepare a Written Report

4.7.2 Express Investigative Findings Verbally

4.7.3 Testify During Legal Proceedings

NFPA 1033 (2022 Ed.) 4.1.7 Topic

4.1.7 (1) Fire Science

4.1.7 (1)(a) Fire Chemistry

4.1.7 (1)(b) Thermodynamics

4.1.7 (1)(c) Fire Dynamics

4.1.7 (1)(d) Explosion Dynamics

4.1.7 (2) Fire Investigation

4.1.7 (2)(a) Fire Analysis

4.1.7 (2)(b) Fire Investigation Methodology

4.1.7 (2)(c) Fire Investigation Technology

4.1.7 (2)(d) Evidence Documentation, Collection, and Preservation

4.1.7 (2)(e) Failure Analysis and Analytical Tools

4.1.7 (3) Fire Scene Safety

4.1.7 (3)(a) Hazard Recognition, Evaluation, and Basic Mitigation Procedures

4.1.7 (3)(b) Hazardous Materials

4.1.7 (3)(c) Safety Regulations

4.1.7 (4) Building Systems

4.1.7 (4)(a) Types of Construction

4.1.7 (4)(b) Fire Protection Systems

4.1.7 (4)(c) Electricity and Electrical Systems

4.1.7 (4)(d) Fuel Gas Systems

World Languages Availability

Español/Spanish

Accreditation, Certification, and Certificates

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An Analysis of The Station Nightclub Fire

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Arc Mapping Basics

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Basic Electricity

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Charleston Sofa Super Store Fire

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Charting Your Career Path In Fire Investigation

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Commercial Kitchen Fires 2: Investigation

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Critical Evaluation and Testing of Commonly Reported Accidental Causes

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The Deposition Part 2: Questioning Tactics and Effective Responses

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Discovery in Civil Cases

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DNA

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Documenting the Event

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Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Design Basics

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Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Fires

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Emerging Technologies in Fire Investigation

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Ethical Duties Beyond the Fire Scene

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Explosion Dynamics

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Fatal Fires: Fire Effects on the Body

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Fatal Fires: Investigation

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Fire Dynamics Calculations - Version 2.0

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Fire Effects Part 1: Heat Effects on Fuels

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Fire Effects Part 2: Combustion By-Products Effects

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Fire Investigation for Fire Officers

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Fire Protection Systems

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Fundamentals of Interviewing

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Fundamentals of Residential Building Construction

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The HAZWOPER Standard

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Ignitable Liquid Detection Canine Teams

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The Impact of Ventilation in Building Structures on Fire Development

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Insurance and the Fire Investigation

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Introduction to Appliances

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Introduction to Evidence

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Introduction to Fire Dynamics and Modeling

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This program takes you inside the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) archives of some of the most interesting and instructive test burns and fire model simulations they have ever conducted.

Introduction to Youth-Set Fires

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Investigating Fire and Explosion Incidents Involving a Line-Of-Duty Death

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Investigating Motor Vehicle Fires

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Investigating Natural Gas Systems

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This module discusses investigating a fire when natural gas is present, including natural gas as an ignition and fire spread source, documentation, and system testing.

Legal Aspects of Investigating Youth-Set Fires

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Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

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This program explains what lithium-ion batteries are, how they are constructed, where they are used, safety concerns, and how they can cause fires and explosions.

MagneTek: A Case Study In The Daubert Challenge

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Managing Complex Fire Scene Investigations

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This module focuses on how to manage investigations that have “complicating” factors.

Motive, Means, and Opportunity: Determining Responsibility in an Arson Case

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Motor Vehicles: The Engine and the Ignition, Electrical, and Fuel Systems

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This program covers the general anatomy of a motor vehicle and a description of typical components of the engine, electrical, ignition, and fuel systems.

Motor Vehicles: Transmission, Exhaust, Brake, and Accessory Systems

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NFPA 1033 & 921: 2022/2021 Editions Important Updates

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NFPA 1033 and Your Career

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Personal Protective Equipment for Post-Fire Scenes

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Photovoltaic Cells & Systems

Photovoltaic Cells & Systems

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Physical Evidence at the Fire Scene

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Postflashover Fires

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The Potential Value of Electronic Evidence in Fire Investigations

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Preventing Occupational Exposures to Carcinogens at the Fire Scene

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Process of Elimination

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Residential Electrical Systems

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Residential Natural Gas Systems

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The Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigation

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Search and Seizure

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Site Safety Assessment

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Thermometry, Heat, and Heat Transfer

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Understanding Fire Through the Candle Experiments

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Understanding Undetermined

Understanding Undetermined

This program untangles the meanings of “undetermined,” explains its correct usage, and describes how to properly report “undetermined” fire cause and classification.

Using Resources to Validate your Hypothesis

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This module will advise fire investigators on how to approach the fact-finding procedures necessary and validate a hypothesis.

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Wildland Fires Investigation

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Writing the Initial Origin and Cause Report

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