Lecture evening on the topic of fire investigation

All interested parties are invited to thelecture evening "From accident to firebug - fire investigation on site and in the laboratory" in the large lecture theatre at the main campus of BTU Cottbus. Admission is free.

Fire investigation is one of the most difficult areas of forensics, as the fire can destroy its own traces. In order to determine the cause of the fire, it is first necessary to identify the place where the fire started, the source of ignition and any fire-fighting equipment used, or to rule out possible causes of the fire until only one remains. For the investigation of criminal offences, secured fire debris is analysed in the laboratory for residues of fire accelerants. In addition to determining the cause of the fire, the aim of the investigation is to determine the spread and progression of the fire. The lecture provides an insight into this investigative work.

Date: Friday, 15 November 2024, 17:30 to 19:00
Location: Large lecture theatre at BTU's main campus, Konrad-Zuse-Straße 4, 03046 Cottbus

Organised by the Centre for Continuing Education and BTU's Forensic Sciences and Engineering Master's programme.

Prof. Dr Thomas Fischer studied chemistry and geosciences and teaches criminalistics, forensics and analytical chemistry at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. He is the author of numerous specialist articles and, in addition to his teaching and research activities, appears as an expert witness in civil and criminal fire investigation proceedings.

About the Forensic Sciences and Engineering study programme
The Forensic Sciences and Engineering study programme, which leads to a Master of Science degree, is unique in Germany as an extra-occupational continuing education course at BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. The seminars in the forensic science study programme focus on crime scene work, investigative procedures and the evaluation of evidence as well as its analysis in the context of its successful use in court. The programme is a transdisciplinary academic course at BTU. Forensic knowledge, which can also be used by examiners in the private sector, also characterises the teaching programme. Overall, forensic science is facing new challenges: The pace of methodological, technical and scientific developments is characterised by digitalisation, new international and European trends, which are pushing law enforcement authorities and examiners, who have so far mostly acted nationally, to their limits. Forensic Sciences and Engineering at BTU is taking on these challenges and is expanding its teaching profile from the winter semester 2025/2026 by offering specialisation certificates in fire investigation, handwriting, white-collar crime and the special area of chemical and biological substances. People who do not have the prerequisites for a Master's degree programme will nevertheless have the unique opportunity to continue their university education in these specialist areas.