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Fall 2026 Syllabus
Instructor
Geoffrey Everly
Email: gceverly@ysu.edu
Course Description
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Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | KIRK’S FIRE INVESTIGATION – 8th Edition, Pearson | DeHaan, John D. | 9780134237923 |
| Required | Tyler v Michigan 436 U.S. 499 (1978) | U.S. Supreme Court | |
| Required | Trial By Fire : New Yorker (2009) | David Grann | |
| Required | Report AL Solutions, Inc, New Cumberland, WV | U.S. Chemical and Hazard Investigation Board | |
| Required | Letters From An Arsonist : Washington City Paper (2007) | Dave Jamieson | |
| Required | Academic Honesty Tips | University of Rochester |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Preface and Chapter 1 topics 1.1 thru 1.6 Chapter 11 topics : 11.1 |
Presentations: Why should I be learning about fire PP, Fire Problem in the US PP, Let’s talk about arson PP, UL Lab 1 – There’s Been A Fire | All due Saturday 29 Aug Academic Honesty Information & Assessment Academic Honesty Form Discussion: Introduce Yourself Scenario A |
| 8/31 | Michigan v Tyler | Presentation: Legal Concepts You Need To Know PP | All due Saturday, 5 Sep Syllabus/Tips for Success Information & Assessment Scenario B |
| 9/7 | Chapter 2 topic(s) 2.1 thru 2.8 | Presentations: Basics of Fire PP, How Fires Start and Move PP, UL Lab 2 – Invest Academy | Due Saturday, 12 Sep Homework 1 |
| 9/14 | Chapter 2 topic(s) 2.10 thru 2.11 | Presentation: What Burns In a Fire PP | All due Saturday, 19 Sep Discussion – Flammable Liquids & Gases Research project topic submission & approval Scenario C |
| 9/21 | Chapter 2 topic(s) 2.9 | Presentations: How Solids Burn PP, Ignition Sources PP, UL Lab 3 – Guided Investigation | Due Saturday 26 Sep Discussion – Combustible Solids |
| 9/28 | Chapter 4 all Chapter 5 topic(s) 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 5.5 Chapter 7 topic(s) 7.6-7.8 |
Presentations: Electrical Fires PP, Vehicle Fires PP | |
| 10/5 | Chapter 6 all Chapter 7 topic(s) 7.1.1 thru 7.1.3, 7.4 |
Presentation: Fire Scene Examination Pt 1 PP | Due Saturday 10 Oct Scenario D Due next Wednesday Mid-Term Exam |
| 10/12 | Mid-Term Exam, Wednesday, Available from 0500 [5:00AM] to 2200 [10:00PM] | Due Wednesday, 14 Oct @ 2200 [10:00PM] | |
| 10/19 | Chapter 11 topic(s) 11.2 thru 11.10 | Presentation: Fire Scene Examination Pt 2 PP | Due Saturday, 24 Oct Homework 2 |
| 10/26 | Presentations: Arsonists PP, Motives for Arson PP, Hunt for the Serial Arsonist video | All due Saturday, 31 Oct Discussion - Arson Cases Scenario E Homework 3 |
|
| 11/2 | New Yorker Article : Trial by Fire | Presentations: Myths in Fire Investigations PP, Case Studies PP |
Due Saturday, 7 Nov Homework 4 |
| 11/9 | Chapter 3 topic(s) 3.1 thru 3.6 AL Solutions, Inc. Report |
Presentations: Explosions PP, Explosives PP, Criminal Use of Explosives PP | All due Saturday, 14 Nov Homework 5 Research Project |
| 11/16 | Chapter 8 - all | Presentations: Bomber Characteristics, Traits & Motives PP, UNABomber Video | Due Saturday, 21 Nov Scenario F |
| 11/23 | Presentations: Faces of Violence PP, Accelerant K9s PP | Due Saturday, 28 Nov Homework 6 |
|
| 11/30 | Presentations: Evidence in the Lab PP, Non-Arson Evidence PP | Due Saturday, 5 Dec Scenario G Due next Wednesday Final Exam |
|
| 12/7 | Final Exam, Wednesday, Available from 0500 [5:00AM] to 2200 [10:00PM] | Due Wednesday, 9 Dec @ 2200 [10:00PM] |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.