Please see link in new page opposite. Any suggestions or contributions to this new group will be very welcome and will be passed on.
The background is that major fire investigation is well removed from level 2 and 3 and that we appear to be learning on our feet as and when major incidents occur. The group will seek to find common ground or procedure that any Police or Fire Authority can use as a template.
Sunday, 20 June 2010
Saturday, 22 May 2010
FI workshop 20th May - feedback
Link: www.cfoa.org.uk/download/16477
I found this workshop very interesting. It will clearly generate much of the schedule of the forthcomming FI Stategy Group:
- The South East Regional FI set up appears to me to be a very good role model. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved by determined effort from experienced practitioners and supportive, modern management. David Wales will fill you all in with more detail in the newsletter perhaps.
- Hampshire FRS presented an excellent Police/Fire Service investigation scheme that turns much current working practise and training on its head. Hampshire FRS investigators now fully work fire-related crime scenes! There may be some legal issues and there must surely be some training issues.
- Durham and Darlington FRS offer a FI degree that appears sufficiently comprehensive and good value for money. At present it is only available to FRS investigators.
Our profession is marching on rapidly but it is fragmented. I hope that the FI Strategy Group can achieve greater National cohesion, standards and comunication.
I found this workshop very interesting. It will clearly generate much of the schedule of the forthcomming FI Stategy Group:
- The South East Regional FI set up appears to me to be a very good role model. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved by determined effort from experienced practitioners and supportive, modern management. David Wales will fill you all in with more detail in the newsletter perhaps.
- Hampshire FRS presented an excellent Police/Fire Service investigation scheme that turns much current working practise and training on its head. Hampshire FRS investigators now fully work fire-related crime scenes! There may be some legal issues and there must surely be some training issues.
- Durham and Darlington FRS offer a FI degree that appears sufficiently comprehensive and good value for money. At present it is only available to FRS investigators.
Our profession is marching on rapidly but it is fragmented. I hope that the FI Strategy Group can achieve greater National cohesion, standards and comunication.
Forensic Science Degrees
Reading the latest issue of 'Science and Justice' (journal of the Forensic Science Society (FSS)), I was pleased to see that the FSS have been studying the issue of these degrees and their use to employers. It is no surprise that employers have found little use at all for applicants with these degrees. They have been discredited in the National press as "The current Media Studies degree".
The FSS appears to have chosen to support the continuation of these courses despite the fact there is no career path. They state that they will "work closely with employers and universities to develop a common benchmark for the content of these degrees aligning graduate skills with employer need". For the students sake I sure hope so.
I believe these courses have been niaively and sometimes cynically set up on the back of the so-called CSI effect and that they should not be offered to anyone who does not have a science degree or substantial relevant work experience.
Any opinions?
The FSS appears to have chosen to support the continuation of these courses despite the fact there is no career path. They state that they will "work closely with employers and universities to develop a common benchmark for the content of these degrees aligning graduate skills with employer need". For the students sake I sure hope so.
I believe these courses have been niaively and sometimes cynically set up on the back of the so-called CSI effect and that they should not be offered to anyone who does not have a science degree or substantial relevant work experience.
Any opinions?
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Skype
We had a brief call between three of us this morning (Sunday 9th).
There are problems with the system that may render it unusable for anything other than a casual conversation between just one or two people.
Chris was using a laptop and dongle. His signal strength was poor and we were unable to hear him fully. He was, however, able to write messages without any problem.
Mike and I were using laptops but with our home PCs nearby. I am sure that many of us multi-task like this. The Skype programme on the PCs often responded automatically and we found that we had to shut down the PCs.
I also found that my internet connection dropped out completely sometimes when both my machines were operating with Skype.
Paul could you see if there is any cure for these issues and also explore if Yahoo conference calling may be a better option. Thanks.
There are problems with the system that may render it unusable for anything other than a casual conversation between just one or two people.
Chris was using a laptop and dongle. His signal strength was poor and we were unable to hear him fully. He was, however, able to write messages without any problem.
Mike and I were using laptops but with our home PCs nearby. I am sure that many of us multi-task like this. The Skype programme on the PCs often responded automatically and we found that we had to shut down the PCs.
I also found that my internet connection dropped out completely sometimes when both my machines were operating with Skype.
Paul could you see if there is any cure for these issues and also explore if Yahoo conference calling may be a better option. Thanks.
Saturday, 1 May 2010
New members to the panel
We have two new panel members now with us:
Mike Burroughs is Station Manager with the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Fire Investigation Support Team. He is also a Fire Safety Policy Support Officer.
Mark Ross is a Watch Manager with the London Fire Investigation Team.
So we now have FRS representation in the South West and London.
IFE's new Technical Officer, Jim Robson is also signed onto our blog for IFE administration purposes.
Mike Burroughs is Station Manager with the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Fire Investigation Support Team. He is also a Fire Safety Policy Support Officer.
Mark Ross is a Watch Manager with the London Fire Investigation Team.
So we now have FRS representation in the South West and London.
IFE's new Technical Officer, Jim Robson is also signed onto our blog for IFE administration purposes.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
FI Workshop
CFOA will be hosting a free one day fire investigation workshop at the Fire Service College on may 20th. Unfortunately it has not been posted on the CFOA website so there is no link available for you.
The purpose of the workshop is to discuss FI strategy and to inform the FI Reports Advisory Group.
David Wales and myself are each presenting and assisting in the workshop sessions. I hope some of you may be able to attend. In any event, we will report back via this blog.
The purpose of the workshop is to discuss FI strategy and to inform the FI Reports Advisory Group.
David Wales and myself are each presenting and assisting in the workshop sessions. I hope some of you may be able to attend. In any event, we will report back via this blog.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
IFE publications update
I have spoken to the IFE's newly appointed Technical Officer, Jim Robson.
He is keen to review all of the red book series. We will be discussing the issue in detail in due course. I have been putting some ideas together and am currently re-reading all the main existing books (Does anybody else find Mr Lentini's opening introduction somewhat annoying?).
So, any further ideas and suggestions are very welcome.
I will email all soon to suggest another joint Skype call this Sunday.
He is keen to review all of the red book series. We will be discussing the issue in detail in due course. I have been putting some ideas together and am currently re-reading all the main existing books (Does anybody else find Mr Lentini's opening introduction somewhat annoying?).
So, any further ideas and suggestions are very welcome.
I will email all soon to suggest another joint Skype call this Sunday.
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