There are various fire investigation training courses offered for a wide range of public safety audiences. The following is a list of class names and descriptions that the State Fire Marshal (SFM) division may offer throughout the year. Visit our online training registration page to see what is currently scheduled or contact the fire investigation team for more information.

Awareness training

Evidence Preservation for Firefighters

• Course length: Two to three hours
• What you'll learn: This class is designed to introduce new firefighters to the idea of evidence preservation on the fire scene, and serve as a refresher for experienced firefighters. The class will cover what evidence is, a basic overview of what investigators will be looking for, how to collect/preserve evidence, and some of the signs of a suspicious fire.​

Arson Investigation for Law Enforcement

• Course length: Four hours
• Instructor: Any local SFM investigator
• Location: Any law enforcement training facility
• What you'll learn: This class is designed for patrol officers and law enforcement at any level to refresh on the investigation of fires in general and arson fires specifically.  The class covers topics such as legal requirements for investigations, arson statute review, basic fire patterns and behavior, signs of suspicious fires, motives, evidence collection and preservation, and safety.
   

Operations Training

Fire Investigation Operations

• Course length: 12 hours
• Instructor: Any local SFM investigator or retiree, ANY IAAI CFI fire investigator
• Location: Generally offered by MNSCU at State Fire Schools, these classes may also be taught locally upon request and with adequate attendance.
• What you'll learn: This class is primarily designed for firefighters and crime scene personnel who will be assisting a fire investigator in processing a scene. Topics include safety, scene preservation, fire behavior, fire patterns, processing order, basic origin and cause, and case studies.
   

Technician training

Fire Investigation – Part 1

• Course length: 40 hours tested
• Instructor: Designated SFM investigators and special Instructors (if available)
• Location: Any fire department willing to host must also be willing to provide a house for the advanced class. These classes are placed on a house available basis and travel throughout the state.
• What you'll learn: This five-day in depth class gives law enforcement officers and firefighters with basic skills a rounded look at what is required in an initial fire scene investigation. Participants will learn about fire behavior and basic origin and cause investigation techniques, along with scene preservation, documentation and requirements to become a fire investigator and serve as an expert witness. Legal aspects and arson motives are also covered in this first course of a two-part series.
• Notes: 
  • This is a tested course. The final test will consist of a series of multiple choice questions.
  • Students must pass with a score of 70 percent or better in order to receive their certificate.

Fire Investigation – Part II 

• Course length: 40 hours tested
• Instructor: Designated SFM investigators and special instructors (if available)
• Location: Any fire department willing to host must also be willing to provide a house for his class. These classes are placed on a house available basis and travel throughout the state.
• What you'll learn: This class is a five-day conclusion to the part I class. Topics covered include interviewing, vehicle fires, evidence collection, and electricity as it relates to fires. The instructors and host department will burn a house and students will gain hands-on experience by processing the fire scene, interviewing witnesses and suspects and building a case for the county attorney.
• Notes: 
  • This is a tested course. The final test is the production of a valid origin and cause report.
  • Prerequisite: Students must present their Part I certificate prior to the first day of class.