Graduate Certificate in Fire Investigations

Fees apply.

This course aims at developing and increasing the knowledge of practitioners in the field of fire investigation. It seeks to improve professional standards by the application of knowledge of sound investigative practice together with an understanding of fire dynamics, fire causation and fire setting motives. The course participants will be exposed to current investigative best practice, the physics of fire behaviour and theories of deviance associated with fire setting in their subject material. Assessment topics will encourage students to apply theory to practice and exercise best practice in their own investigations. The underlying philosophies of the course will be emphasised in the residential school which will be practically based.

Enrolment through

Goulburn Campus

Study mode

Distance education

Normal course duration

Part-time 1 years (2 sessions)

Admission requirements

Applicants should hold an appropriate undergraduate degree or qualification from a recognised tertiary institution or have appropriate industry experience in an investigative or fire fighting field. Given the sensitive nature of material contained in this course, admission will be limited to practitioners in the field of fire investigation who have a demonstrated vocational need to undertake the programme. This may include such occupations as loss assessors, insurance investigators, park rangers, fire fighters and the like. Applications will be assessed by a panel comprising members from Charles Sturt University, the NSW Fire Brigade, the NSW Police Service and the insurance industry.

Course requirements

Students must satisfactorily complete 32 subject points (normally equal to four subjects)

Course structure

Autumn

JST415 Fire Investigation 1 (Origin, Cause & Scene)

JST417 Psychological Aspects of Arson

Spring

JST416 Fire Investigation 2 (Fire Investigation Processes & Law)

[ ] Elective Subject

Suggested electives

JST311 Investigative Interviewing

JST303 Ethics & Professional Practice

JST414 Investigation Management Project

Inquiries

Course Coordinator
Mike Enders
Professional Development Centre (Policing)
NSW Police Academy
McDermott Drive
GOULBURN NSW 2580
Telephone: (02) 4823 2790 [Eaglenet]
Facsimile: (02) 4823 2515 [Eaglenet]