IN-IAAI Training
and Education

Up your skills with IN-IAAI
fire investigation educational opportunities.

Learn about Indiana IAAI chapter training events on our Facebook page.

Strategic Suspect Interviewing Techniques Training
November 1, 2023

Presented by ATF Special Agent Dino Balos

Registration Required

To register for this training, please email the officer’s name, agency, rank/position, and email address to: USAINN.Conference@usdoj.gov by COB October 23, 2023. List email Subject as Nov 1 Interview Course, as multiple course come into the same inbox.

Strategic Suspect Interviewing Techniques
November 1, 2023 – 8:30AM to 5:00PM
Schererville Community Center
500 E. Joliet St., Schererville, IN 46375

Printable Flyer

The attendee will learn how to strategically approach suspect interviews as part of the overall case and reach the “beyond a reasonable doubt” threshold for a criminal conviction.

Fire Investigation Training and Education

One of the Main Objectives of the Indiana Chapter, as stated in the bylaws (Article 1, Section 2B) is to “intensify and strengthen the educational thrust.”

Our organization’s goal is to promote education in the field of fire investigation, and to have all members contribute and participate in the education that is provided.

The IN-IAAI Education Director is Steve Shand of Shand Forensic Investigations. His phone number is 260-238-5800. Email Steve at steve [at] shandforensic [dot] com.

For more information on educational offerings please contact us.

IAAI-CFI®

The only accredited certification for Fire Investigators.

Click here to find out more.

IAAI-FIT®

Core competencies related to fire investigation.

Click here to find out more.

Other Classes

Educational opportunities for fire investigators.

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IN-IAAI Fire Investigation Class Descriptions

NFPA 921: A Guide to Fire Investigation

This course is an overview of NFPA 921 (2001).

This 4 day course is a tested course and is open to any firefighter, police officer, prosecutor and coroner who may be involved in fire investigation. Certificate of completion will be awarded.

CFI Expert Witness Testimony

An IAAI accredited course. This course is designed to meet the minimum qualifications for CFI points in the category of expert witness testimony. Classes are limited to 8 participants.

CFI Electrical Fire Investigation

This class explores electrical theory and combines live demonstrations with numerous case examples. Great practical field application. Testing for CFI included.

Scene Preservation

This program was developed to assist all investigators in understanding how public and private investigators can work together investigating the same scene. Presented by an instructor with experience representing both public and private interests, you can gain a tremendous practical understanding of issues regarding spoiliation and preservation of a fire scene.

Fire Scene Documentation

This program is designed to demonstrate methods of documentation. Emphasis will be on photography, diagramming, report writing and will cover some legal aspects of scene documentation.

Expert Witness Experience

This is a unique experience to practice your expert testimony skills in an attorney education program. The class is in cooperation with IU Law School and is part of the curriculum for law students and continuing education for practicing attorneys. There is a Public investigator role and a private investigator role.

As a participant in [the Expert Witness Experience] I would like to share some of my experience. The reports and case scenarios are embarrassing to any competent fire investigator, but that’s not the objective, so get over it. There is a case that allows great flexibility for both investigators, and you get an opportunity to work with attorneys/students to identify strengths and weaknesses in the case. You get to use your expertise to assist attorneys at the bench to develop proper cross examination, and most importantly, you get to practice on the stand your own techniques in combating cross examinations. As if that’s not enough, the real professional attorneys critique the direct exams and the cross-exams after each 10-15 minute segment. You get to hear the strategies that these professionals propose, and you get insight into courtroom strategies that any good trial attorney is going to implement. At the end of the day, I learned a lot…

Expert Witness Experience Participant