National Fire Academy Course Targets Arson
Release Date: March 8, 2004
Release Number: FNF-04-005
The defendant, accused of arson, sits next to her defense attorney. Across the courtroom are the stern-faced prosecutor and a black-robed judge. The courtroom looks typical — dark wood jury and witness box, and a solid-looking wood railing separating the court from the observers.
But the defendant is really a FEMA public affairs officer and the defense attorney is a Maryland assistant attorney general. And the witnesses holding up their hands and swearing to tell the truth are actually students in a National Fire Academy course that strengthens the skills of arson investigators.
“This course was designed and developed based on a critical needs assessment conducted over an 18-month period of investigators nationally and by students in our fire and arson classes,” said Doug Williams, the course manager. “The best investigators find causes, dig around, but they may not know the best way to describe what they’ve learned and defend it in court.”
The two-week course, offered six times a year, focuses on enhancing interviewing and interrogation skills and courtroom techniques. The first week of the course includes a field trip to a treatment center for juveniles convicted of fire-related crimes. The students practice what they’ve learned – scrutinizing gestures, body language and expressions during interviews and using carefully crafted questions to get at the truth.
The second week of the class focuses on courtroom testimony and takes place in a mock courtroom that Williams designed. As solid as it looks, it can be easily moved and stored. Williams believes the look of the courtroom adds realism to the student experience.
“By placing the students in a setting such as the ‘courtroom,’ and providing actual testimony under direct and cross-examination of the investigator places a unique realism on the process. Most students who come through this course have never testified before in court,” said Williams.
Students come from around the country. The most recent class included fire and police officials from nearby Virginia and Maryland as well from Utah, Alaska, California and 14 other states. The first to testify in the mock courtroom in a recent class was Francis Scott, a Virginia State Police officer. His peers, who would follow him as a witness, filled the jury box.
Scott attempted to fend off the tough questioning of Brian DeLeonardo, serving as defense attorney. His testimony was taped and then critiqued.
“It’s pretty realistic. You absolutely feel that you’re there, in court, especially with the décor,” he said. “It’s a great program.”
Scott said what he’s learned in the class will help his investigations in all areas, not just arson. The course also counts toward a certification for fire investigators, offered in partnership with the International Association of Arson Investigators.
More than 500 Americans died from arson in 2000 and suspicious fires caused $1 billion in property damage.
Last Modified: Monday, 08-Mar-2004 11:43:37