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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

Investigation

Descriptions and credit recommendations for all evaluated learning experiences

Length:

Version 1, 2, and 3:  80 Hours (10 Days). Version 4: 32 hours.

Dates:

Version 1: January 2003 - January 2008. Version 2: February 2008 – May 2015. Version 3: June 2015 - February 2021. Version 4: March 2021 - Present. 

Objectives:

Version 1 and 2: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: investigate and evaluate traffic collisions; accurately photograph and diagram traffic collisions; use data collected at the scene to perform detailed analysis to determine factors causing the collision. Version 3 and 4: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: gather proper measurements and data needed to produce a diagram of the accident scene; make diagrams by hand using the Blue Blitz or electronically with the Total Station; identify skid marks in the roadway and how these marks can determine possible cause of the accident and/or approximately how fast the vehicle was traveling; utilize FDNY procedures in investigating accidents; use controlled experiments and math skills; and differentiate between FDNY classifications of major or minor accidents.

Instruction:

Version 1 and 2: This course teaches students practical skills to investigate and evaluate motor vehicle accidents. Major topics include: physical evidence; mathematical principles needed for time, distance and motion; speed estimates from skid marks, scuff marks, and airborne situations; crash scene photography; diagramming the crash scene using traffic templates; conducting interviews. Version 3 and 4: In addition to Version 1 and 2, additionally: acceleration and deceleration, critical curve speed, falls, flips, and vaults, crash scene investigation; and mock accident.

Credit recommendation:

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Fire Science, Criminal Justice, or Occupational Safety (5/04 - review conducted by the American Council on Education). Version 2 and 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours in Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Police Science, or Safety Engineering (10/08 revalidation) (7/10 revalidation) (6/15 revalidation). Version 4: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Fire Science, Criminal Justice, Police Science, or Safety (6/21 revalidation).

Length:

Version 1: 315 hours (9 weeks); following the classroom instruction, these additional learning experiences: approximately 96 hours of directed study over 32 weeks, and 36 weeks of Field Officer Training. Version 2 and 3: 455 hours (13 weeks) of classroom instruction, in addition, 16 weeks of Field Officer Training. Version 4 and 5: 1,525 hours (9 months),  includes approximately 500 hours of classroom instruction over 13 weeks, followed by approximately 1,000 hours of field training over 6 months, commencing with 40 hours of refresher and updates. Version 6: 2,012 hours (12 months), includes approximately 523.5 hours of classroom instruction over 15 weeks, followed by approximately 1,488.5 hours of field training over 9 months. Version 7: 2,145.50 hours (12 months), includes approximately 656.5 hours of classroom instruction over 15 weeks, followed by approximately 1,488.5 hours of field training over 9 months. 

Dates:

Version 1: January 1992 - September 2000. Version 2: October 2000 - June 2001. Version 3: July 2001 - August 2007. Version 4: September 2007 - September 2012. Version 5: October 2012 - August 2015. Version 6: September 2015 -May 2022. Version 7: June 2022 - Present.

Objectives:

Version 1, 2, 3, and 4: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: determine cause and origin of a fire; ascertain events leading to a fire or fires with incendiary causes, investigate to determine responsibility; work within the legal boundaries of the Constitution and the laws governing law enforcement personnel to make arrests; provide assistance in all stages of prosecution. Version 5: Students will be able to: utilize BFI computer application to generate reports; interview and/or interrogate individuals as part of the fire investigation; operate firearms in a safe and proficient manner; identify, collect, and process fire scene evidence; issue subpoenas; take sworn oaths and affirmations; safely operate emergency vehicles; operate as police officer/subject matter expert to investigate fires in New York City. Version 6 and 7:  Students will be able to: determine the origin and cause of fire, utilizing the scientific method, in accordance with NFPA 921 and 1033; proficiently operate and safeguard issued firearms, with a clear understanding of the use of deadly physical force; have a basic understanding of self-defense techniques and proper use of equipment (handcuffs, expandable baton, OC spray) that may be needed in self-defense or to take a person into custody; have a foundational knowledge of fire science, fire chemistry and fire dynamics; the ability to write a unique fire investigation report;  demonstrate understanding of the New York State penal law, criminal procedure law, and criminal case law; interview and/or interrogate individuals while conducting an investigation; perform inter-agency collaboration as needed for the investigation; identify, collect, document and process, any potential evidence during an investigation; communicate in an effective manner to individuals who may be in crisis as a result of an event that has occurred; process an individual who has been arrested and will be brought into the criminal justice system; and provide testimony in both criminal and civil court proceedings, in addition, to serving as an expert witness, in the origin and cause of fire.

Instruction:

Version 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, 6 and 7: This course is for uniform firefighters of the New York City Fire Department who are eligible for promotion according to FDNY guidelines. Some duties and responsibilities of Fire Marshals include the following: serve as police officers in the City of New York, carry firearms, analyze and interpret laboratory results, interview witnesses and/or suspsects, prepare and serve subpoenas on witnesses, testify as expert witnesses, and prepare detailed written investigative reports. Major topics include: law enforcement and the criminal justice system; ad judicatory process and court structure; police discretionary powers; firearms safety; defensive tactics; New York State Penal Law; New York State Criminal Procedure Law; civil law; dealing with emotionally disturbed persons; behavior of fire; determining point of origin; building construction; accidental fire causes; incendiary fire causes; motivation of the fire setter; fire scene investigation; vehicle fires; fatal fire investigations; evidence collection procedures; report writing; interview and interrogation; expert testimony; use of computers and on-line resources in fire investigations; role of the medical examiner in a fire investigation; and fingerprinting. Certification: NYS Fire Investigator- Issued by FDNY. (Once 50 hours of investigation time is competed). NOTE: Marshals must complete 12 hours of tested training and 12 hours of field time annually to maintain certification. 

Credit recommendation:

Version 1: 18 semester hours classified under Classroom portion and Directed study and Field Officer Training. Classroom portion: 15 semester hours distributed as follows: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 5 semester hours in Fire Science; 9 semester hours in Criminal Justice/Police Science, further distributed as follows: 3 semester hours in Introduction to Law, 3 semester hours in Law Enforcement, and 3 semester hours in Investigative Techniques; and 1 semester hour in Defensive Tactics (Physical Education). Directed study and Field Officer Training: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours as an internship in Fire Science, Fire Protection Technology, or Criminal Justice/Police Science (12/95). Version 2: 20 semester hours classified under Classroom portion and Field Officer Training. Classroom portion: 17 semester hours distributed as follows: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 5 semester hours in Fire Science; 11 semester hours in Criminal Justice/Police Science, distributed as follows: 5 semester hours in Introduction to Law, 3 semester hours in Law Enforcement, and 3 semester hours in Investigative Techniques; and 1 semester hour in Defensive Tactics (Physical Education). Field Officer Training: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours as an internship in Fire Science, Fire Protection Technology, or Criminal Justice/Police Science (6/01 revalidation). Version 3: 28 semester hours distributed as follows: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 semester hours in Fire/Arson Investigation, 6 semester hours in Criminal Law, 4 semester hours in Investigative Techniques, 3 semester hours of Internship in Fire Science or Criminal Justice; in the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours in Fire Science, 3 semester hours in Law Enforcement, 1 semester hour in Defensive Tactics (P/E), 1 semester hour in Technical Writing, 1 semester hour in Accounting Topics, and 1 semester hour in Statement Analysis (12/01 - review conducted by the American Council on Education). Version 4 and 5: 30 semester hours, distributed as follows: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 6 in Fire/Arson Investigation, 3 in General Law Enforcement, 3 in Firearms/Defensive Tactics, 3 in Physical Education, 2 in Constitutional and Criminal Procedure Law, 3 in Fire Science, 1 in Accounting, 3 in Penal Law, and 6 as an Internship in Fire Science or Criminal Justice (11/07 revalidation) (10/08) (5/12 revalidation). Version 6: 36 semester hours, distributed as follows: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 9 in Fire/Arson Investigation, 3 in General Law Enforcement, 3 in Firearms/Defensive Tactics, 3 in Physical Education, 2 in Constitutional and Criminal Procedure Law, 3 in Fire Science, 1 in Accounting, 3 in Penal Law, and 9 as an Internship in Fire Science or Criminal Justice (7/17 revalidation). Version 7: 45 semester hours distributed as: in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 12 semester hours in Fire or Arson Investigation, 4 semester hours in General Law Enforcement, 3 semester hours in Firearms/Defensive Tactics, 3 semester hours in Physical Education, 4 semester hours in Constitutional and Criminal Procedure Law, 3 semester hours in Fire Science, 1 semester hour in Accounting, 3 semester hours in Penal Law, and 9 semester hours as an internship in Fire Science or Criminal Justice (6/22 revalidation). 

Length:

Version 1: 224 hours (6 weeks 2 days). Version 2 , 3, and 4: 291 hours (7 weeks and 2 days). Version 5: 276 hours (7 weeks and 2 days). 

Dates:

Version 1: January 2000 - August 2007. Version 2: September 2007 - September 2012. Version 3: October 2012 - December 2012. Version 4: January 2013 - May 2022. Version 5: June 2022 - Present. 

Objectives:

Version 1 and 2: Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: supervise the operation of a squad at a borough command, assign duties, counsel and evaluate the work of fire marshals, conduct on-the- job training, review fire investigation reports and respond to major alarm fires. Version 3: Learner outcomes from Version 1 and 2, additionally, students will be able to: prioritize jobs, assign duties, and manage multiple investigations; counsel members under their command and evaluate their performance; effectively conduct drills and on-the-job training; conduct roll calls and record members' payroll entries; inspect members' safety equipment; oversee and evaluate physical examinations performed by Fire Marshals; review investigative reports, make recommendations, and process paperwork, report findings and other relevant information to superiors. Version 4 and 5: Students will be able to: properly conduct a roll-call of Bureau of Fire Investigation (BFI)  members with the required journal entries; have a knowledge of the Bureau response policy; assign and prioritize open case assignments to a squad of fire marshal investigators; analyze and perform case management of the squad and have the ability to re-assign incomplete cases; have the ability, to create a written tour synopsis report, prepared for upper management; effectively prepare and produce necessary notifications to upper management; complete, the required city time entries, of subordinates; properly manage, oversee and approve, any required overtime of Bureau members; inspect members to ensure, they possess, the proper equipment and are dressed appropriately for the tour; complete required reports for any injuries, exposures and accidents, to Bureau members; manage and oversee court appearances and subpoenas of fire marshal investigators; manage and inspect, the line-ups of suspects performed by fire marshals; ensure department equal employment opportunity policies are followed; direct members to counseling, if necessary; direct fire marshals, to refer cases to the juvenile fire-setters intervention program, if required; oversee thefts of, or occurring inside of, department property; properly  complete, send or distribute department letterhead reports and memorandums; supervise and support inter-agency cooperation; direct fire marshal investigators to utilize BFI resources when required; direct, oversee and manage any undercover operations and surveillance performed by members of the Bureau; manage and handle, the arrest of, a member of the Bureau; select, conduct and deliver a drill topic to a squad of fire marshals; properly document and measure the effectiveness of the drill topic; have an advanced knowledge and understanding of the current BFI directives and interim orders; refer to and utilize the supervisor reference manual when necessary; utilize the BFI CTRS system for case assignments and case management of a squad; have an intermediate to advanced understanding, of self-defense techniques, and proper use of equipment (handcuffs, expandable baton, OC spray) that may be needed, in self-defense, or to, take a person into custody, direct or assist in taking a person into custody; manage a specialized unit within the Bureau; utilize the scientific method, in accordance with NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) 921 and 033; have an advanced knowledge of fire science, fire chemistry and fire dynamics; have an advanced understanding  and assist fire marshals with the New York State penal law, criminal procedure law, and criminal case law; supervise, guide and oversee interviews and/or interrogations of individuals during a fire marshal investigation; manage inter-agency collaboration, as needed, during the course of an investigation; supervise and assist in, the identifying, collection, documentation and processing, of any, potential evidence, during an investigation; manage communications, in an effective manner, of fire marshals, dealing with individuals, who may be in crisis, as a result of an event, that has occurred; supervise and oversee, the processing, of an individual, who has been arrested and will be brought into the criminal justice system; provide guidance and assistance, if necessary, to a fire marshal, when, they are called to testify , as an expert witness, in the origin and cause of fire, in both criminal and civil court proceedings.

Instruction:

Version 1, 2 and 3: Major topics include: Activity and Operations Report (136 Log), B.F.I. Forms, injuries/line of duty injuries, exposures/vehicular accidents, social club task force, fire work task force (FEU), firearms policy, firearms discharge, propane fires and combustible roofs, confidential informants, ethics, post shooting trauma counseling, juvenile fire intervention program, joint terrorist task force, joint arson task force, and arrest by fire marshal. leadership competencies-leadership abilities, leadership models, visioning, fostering conflict resolution, assessing situations quickly and accurately, communication and time management and organizational behavior. Version 4 and 5: This course is limited to uniform members of the New York City Fire Department firefighters with a minimum of five years field experience to be eligible for promotion. Fire Marshals perform responsible work in the investigation of causes, circumstances, and origins of fires and/or explosions. Pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Law and the New York City Administrative Code, they serve as police officers in the City of NY and carry firearms. Fire Marshals search for and examine evidence at the fire scene; analyze and interpret laboratory results; interview witnesses and/or suspects; effect arrests of suspects; prepare and serve subpoenas on witnesses; obtain sworn testimony from witnesses; testify as expert witnesses at hearings and trials; prepare detailed written investigative reports resulting from investigations and interviews; and drive motor vehicles.

Credit recommendation:

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category 3 semester hours in Fire Officer, 1 semester hour in Fire Administration or EMS Management, or Business Management, and 2 semester hours in Fire Instructor, or EMS Instructor, or Speech Communications (12/03 - review conducted by the American Council on Education). Version 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 6 semester hours distributed as follows: 3 semester hours in Fire Service Administration or Criminal Justice and 3 semester hours in Management (11/07) (10/08 revalidation). Version 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 6 semester hours distributed as follows: 2 semester hours in Fire Service Administration or Criminal Justice and 2 semester hours in Management or 2 semester hours in Education Methodology (5/12 revalidation). Version 4: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category OR in the  upper division baccalaureate degree category, 8 semester hours distributed as follows: 3 semester hours in Fire Service Administration or Criminal Justice and 3 semester hours in Management and 2 semester hours in Education Methodology (7/17 revalidation). Version 5: In the lower division baccalaureate / associate degree category OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 9 semester hours distributed as follows: 3 semester hours in Fire Service Administration or Criminal Justice, 3 semester hours in Management, and 3 semester hours in Education Methodology (6/22 revalidation). 

Length:

Version 1: 80 hours (2 weeks). Version 2: 48 hours (36 lecture/12 supervised field experience).

Dates:

Version 1: April 2018 - May 2021. Version 2: June 2021 - Present.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: to write Line of Duty Death (LODD) reports by gathering, identifying, logging and photographing evidence; take measurements, create an investigation timeline, conduct interviews of all persons involved, and serve as members of the LODD Investigation Team, that includes four Battalion Chiefs and one firefighter.

Instruction:

Instruction includes both lecture and supervised laboratory experiences and focuses on investigation of firefighter fatalities or serious injuries. Major topics include, but are not limited to: Safety Battalion, Apparatus Accidents, Evidence Collection and Protection, Marine Operations, Counseling, Interviewing Techniques, and Thermal Imaging Camera and Radios. Prerequisite: This course is open to Battalion Chiefs with at least two years in the rank of Battalion Chief or firefighter with a minimum of ten years on the job.

Credit recommendation:

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category,  5 semester hours in Occupational Safety and Health, Fire Service Management, Fire Service Administration OR 4 semester hours in Occupational Safety and Health, Fire Service Management, Fire Service Administration and 1 semester hour in Criminal Justice (6/18). Version 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, OR in the upper division baccalaureate degree category, 3 semester hours in Occupational Safety and Health, Fire Service Management, Fire Service Administration, or Criminal Justice (6/21 revalidation).

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