Fire Investigation - Professional Qualifications and Certification of Fire Scene Investigators

Professional Qualifications and Certification of Fire Scene Investigators

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), through a document known as NFPA 1033, Standard for Professional Requirements for Fire Investigator, publishes minimum requirements for the knowledge skills and ability of a fire investigator. Principal among these is a 13-point list of areas in which a fire investigator is required to have education beyond high school level. These 13 topics are:

1. Fire science
2. Fire chemistry
3. Thermodynamics
4. Thermometry
5. Fire dynamics
6. Explosion dynamics
7. Computer fire modeling
8. Fire investigation
9. Fire analysis
10. Fire investigation methodology
11. Fire investigation technology
12. Hazardous materials
13. Failure analysis and analytical tools

Fire scene investigators may become certified through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) or the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). Both certification programs rely heavily on the content of NFPA 1033 and NFPA 921. Both also require an application process detailing the investigator's education, training, and experience, and successfully challenging a written examination. Certificates are valid for a period of 5 years, at which time an investigator must demonstrate continued participation in the field and a minimum amount of continuing education in order to be recertified.

The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), a professional group of fire investigators, grants the following certifications:

1. Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) – certified by the ProBoard Fire Service Professional Qualifications System.
2. Fire Investigation Technician (IAAI-FIT)
3. Certified Instructor (IAAI-CI)
4. Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT)

The National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI), a professional association of fire and explosion investigators, offer several National Board Certified fire investigation certifications including:

1. Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI),
2. Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and
3. Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII).