Hats off to the first fire scene investigation graduates

Fire Service students on the country’s first Fire Scene Investigation Foundation Degree graduated at our Darlington campus.

The students’ intensive two-year programme of study included modules in forensic awareness, fire scene photography, forensic reconstruction, finger print recovery from a fire scene and a battery of fire scene investigation techniques.

As part of their final practical exercise, the former Victorian pub The Royal Oak Hotel in Darlington was used for a series of ‘live’ fire incidents. Several of the rooms within the Royal Oak Hotel were set alight to create realistic scenes in which the student’s employed their newly acquired skills and knowledge to investigate the cause of the fires.

Later the students went on to present their evidence in Darlington County Court where they were cross examined by HM Coroner Mr Andrew Tweddle and a leading Barrister. Lee Aspery, fire investigation manager, with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'As a service we thankfully have a limited number of major fire scene investigations to undertake every year. However, it is essential that all investigators working within a scene are trained to the highest standard to ensure we maximise our opportunity to establish the cause of the fire and enable the service to produce accurate safety advice for our residents.

'In addition to the safety advice a thorough scene investigation will provide the police with supportive evidence to ensure a conviction can be sought.'

Professor Cliff Hardcastle, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Business Engagement), said: 'I would like to congratulate the first cohort of fire fighters graduating from the foundation degree in fire scene investigation at our Darlington campus.

'We are acknowledged as one of the country’s leading universities for employer engagement and we are delighted to be working in partnership with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service to provide this foundation degree.'

Susan Johnson, chief executive of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'The service is delighted to have been able to work in partnership with such highly regarded partners as Teesside University, the National Policing Improvement Agency and Darlington Borough council to deliver the first degree of this kind in the country.'

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