JST496 Fire-Setting Behaviour, Legal Issues and Investigative Practice (8)
CSU Discipline Area: Justice Studies (JUSTU)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject focuses on investigative practice during and after fire origin and cause determination. Understanding fire-setting behaviour is important when identifying strategies for investigation. This subject will equip students with a foundational understanding of the psychology of fire-setting behaviour. Once an origin and cause determination has been made, fire investigators must be prepared to make a legal defense of their findings; this involves not only becoming familiar with court processes and procedures within their own jurisdiction, but also being aware of what the investigator is legally able to accomplish with their investigation.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Session 1 | |
|---|---|
| Distance | Manly |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: JST496
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Enrolment restrictions:
Limited to students enrolled Fire Investigation, however students demonstrating a connection with fire services (necessary for the completion of assessment tasks) may apply to the course coordinator.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of the psychological concepts in the behaviour of fire setters
- be able to demonstrate the ability to recognise a range of fire setting behaviours and think critically about the impact of this in the investigation
- be able to demonstrate an understanding of legal powers available to fire investigators
- be able to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise coronial, criminal and civil law as it applies to fire investigation
- be able to transfer complex knowledge and theoretical justification to a range of stakeholder audiences
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
Topic 1: Fire setting motivation
Topic 2: Investigative strategies based on fire setting motivation
Topic 3: Sources of evidence and investigating fraudulent fires
Topic 4: Legal issues for fire investigators
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.