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

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Fire Science & Fire Flow Analysis

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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

Live Event-Examination of Smart Plugs 12.12.2024 1 PM EST

Live Event-Examination of Smart Plugs 12.12.2024 1 PM EST

Examination of Smart Plugs

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 1: Fundamentals

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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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Digital Photography and the Fire Investigator

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Discovery in Civil Cases

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DNA

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Donning and Doffing Personal Protective Equipment

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Effective Investigation and Testimony

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Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Design Basics

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Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Fires

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Electrical Safety

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Emerging Technologies in Fire Investigation

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Ethical Duties Beyond the Fire Scene

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Ethics & Social Media

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Explosion Dynamics

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Fatal Fires: An Introduction

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Fatal Fires: Fire Effects on the Body

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Fatal Fires: Investigation

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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 Flow Analysis

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Fire Investigation for Fire Officers

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Fire Investigator Scene Safety

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Fire Protection Systems

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This module will describe the most commonly encountered fire protection systems.

Fundamentals of Interviewing

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Fundamentals of Residential Building Construction

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The HAZWOPER Standard

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How First Responders Impact The Fire Investigation

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This module teaches first responders, including fire, police and EMS, how to make critical observations.

Ignitable Liquid Detection Canine Teams

Ignitable Liquid Detection Canine Teams

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The Impact of Ventilation in Building Structures on Fire Development

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The program examines the importance of assessing the impact of ventilation on a fire.

Insurance and the Fire Investigation

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Introduction to Appliances

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This module offers a basic introduction about how some selected major appliances operate.

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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This program will introduce the fire investigator to the basic methodologies use to investigate vehicle fires.

Investigating Natural Gas Systems

Investigating Natural Gas Systems

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

Legal Aspects of Investigating Youth-Set Fires

This module discusses the juvenile justice system, legalities of interviews and interrogations, arson statutes, search and seizure, and confidentiality.

Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

Lithium-Ion Battery Fires

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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This module uses the Motive, Means, and Opportunity case study to demonstrate how responsibility is determined in an arson case.

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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This module discusses the highlights of important changes in these new editions and their implications for fire investigation.

NFPA 1033 and Your Career

NFPA 1033 and Your Career

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Personal Protective Equipment for Post-Fire Scenes

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

Postflashover Fires

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The Potential Value of Electronic Evidence in Fire Investigations

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The Practical Application of the Relationship Between NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921

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This module explains the relationship between NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921.

Preparation for the Marine Fire Scene

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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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This module teaches the basics of the electrical power generation, distribution, and transmission system.

Residential Natural Gas Systems

Residential Natural Gas Systems

This module presents the basics of natural gas and its uses and system components in a residence.

The Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigation

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The basics of the scientific method are deceptively simple: observe, hypothesize, test, and conclude.

Search and Seizure

Search and Seizure

This module explains the principles of search and seizure under the Fourth Amendment, as contained in the amendment and according to subsequent case law and applies them to typical fire scene scenarios.

Site Safety Assessment

Site Safety Assessment

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Thermometry, Heat, and Heat Transfer

Thermometry, Heat, and Heat Transfer

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Understanding Fire Through the Candle Experiments

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Understanding the Fire Investigator’s Job: A Guide for Non-Investigators

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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

Using Resources to Validate your Hypothesis

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

Vacant and Abandoned Buildings: Hazards and Solutions

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What the Insurance Professional Needs to Know About Fire Investigation

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Wildland Fires Investigation

Wildland Fires Investigation

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Writing the Initial Origin and Cause Report

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