I guess my real point is this. False confessions can and do happen. IF you follow the Reid Technique it actually prevents false confessions. By banning the use of a proven technique you are actually likely to cause the opposite effect...Less training means more false confessions. Any technique used poorly will have negative effects. This is why, when I teach interrogation, a significant blo
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

George, I have been present for a false confession. I was not the lead on the interview...a fire marshal was. The pressure was amped up and the interviewer kept feeding the kid (a volunteer fireman) information. You did it, didn't you (not using the Reid technique, but a television type interrogation) and yelled at the kid, threatened the kid and finally the kid said OK...you want me t
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

That's enough.....I was on camera the entire time at the RIO casino. Can't vouch for Bobby Schaal or Steve Avato, however.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

OK, I should have proof read this. I see a couple of typo's, but can't figure out how to edit the post. Note to self. Edit BEFORE posting.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Sir Gary, It seems like the same argument I made on the Reid Interviewing thread and the thread about Arc mapping. A little knowledge can be dangerous. Those that are against the use of the canine have an agenda and often make up arguments to bolster legitimate concerns. Legitimate concerns are things such as the health of the dog, but they often follow it up with things like calling
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Stupid knee jerk reaction. I have successfully used the Reid Technique for years. It's a great tool for getting legitimate confessions. In the hands of someone who is poorly trained or isn't mentally equipped to use the techniques properly then it can lead to false findings. Then again, I can say the same thing about many tools....a shovel, 921, a gun, etc...
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

If you promise not to return him we.....I mean...they may send you the Jax and crawfish anyway. ...I mean, I suspect.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Louisiana Chapter Annual Training Conference line up is out. Tuesday thru Thursday November 29, 30 & Dec 1. Travel days are Monday and Friday. Topics: Continuing the Investigation AFTER the fire scene exam. Instructor, Jeff Spaulding. Electrical Study. Instructor, Mark Svare. Investigation of Vehicle Fires. Instructor, Greg Barnett. Lightning Losses. Instructor, Derek Long
Forum: Training Seminars

Wish there was a like button.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Louisiana Chapter Annual Training Conference line up is out. Tuesday thru Thursday November 29, 30 & Dec 1. Travel days are Monday and Friday. Topics: Continuing the Investigation AFTER the fire scene exam. Instructor, Jeff Spaulding. Electrical Study. Instructor, Mark Svare. Investigation of Vehicle Fires. Instructor, Greg Barnett. Lightning Losses. Instructor, Der
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Dog must be a labrador. Found it and confirmed it. An Arson Lab.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Seriously, it looks like two different fingers swipe one crossing the other. Like one hand opening the door from a squatted position then using the same hand to hold it open over the previous finger swipe. That would be my guess.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Well now that you have heard "good thoughts and suggestions" I would like to add that it appears to be claw marks from....possibly Wolverine?
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

A couple of folks reached to me about the class and I would like to make it clear that the class is on LIGHTING not Lightning.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

We have a new website that allows you to register for the class. We have not combined the old .org website with this one yet, so the new website is www.laiaai.com
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

An interesting article on the Gutweiler case that several of us on this site were involved, one way/side or the other.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

oops.... www.laiaai.org
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

First off, I need to get a hearing aid. The whole time the board discussed this I thought the class was on lightning. Second, you can drive most of the way to Louisiana and then get an UBER canoe/kayak for the remainder of your scenic trip. Hopefully we will be dried out by then. You can find the details on the Louisiana Chapter website or pop over to the training page on this forum.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Louisiana Chapter, IAAI PRESENTS “Shedding Some Light on Light Fixture Investigations” When: September 26, 2016 Class size is limited to 75 people. Pre-register at laiaai.org Check in starts at 8 AM. Class starts at 8:30 am and ends at 5 pm. Where: Holiday Inn, 45 Louis Prima Dr, Covington, LA 70433 For those who need travel accommodations; the hotel has given a conference r
Forum: Training Seminars

Forgot the date
Forum: Training Seminars

It is difficult to know if what you are reading is accurate because reporters are notoriously bad about dramatizing things for effect (these days), but it sounds like not only did the defense CLEARLY not no that if he pled guilty as opposed to being FOUND guilty,that his sentencing guidelines would be the ones from his original conviction. Not surprising, but the writer leads the reader to belie
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Louisiana Assn. of Arson Investigators Conference Datesec 02, 2015 - Dec 04, 2015Location:Baton Rouge Louisiana Embassy Suites Hotel 4914 Constitution Ave Baton Rouge, LA. 70808 Seminars: Reliability Challenge for Fire Investigators: The Daubert Process Instructor: John Lentini; IAAI-CFI, CFEI, D-ABC Case Review: Texas State Fire Marshal and the Texas Forensic Science Commiss
Forum: Training Seminars

Just about have the line-up finalized. It will easily be the best seminar we have ever put together. Make your plans now.
Forum: Training Seminars

I am looking for a good quality instructor that can teach a block on Automobile Fires as it relates to Alternative Fuel Vehicles. I have been trying for years to find someone to instruct on this topic, but can’t find anyone to fit my requirements. Obviously this is a niche that if someone has expertise, can really position themselves at the forefront of this type of investigation. Generally
Forum: AutoFires

How is it negative corpus if his conclusion is that “this fire is undetermined”.? As far as the rest, “there are facts and circumstances that strongly suggest the possibility of a intentionally set fire”, I agree that it does not belong in his conclusion. That being said, I have arrested folks on undetermined fires several times because there were facts and circumstances that strongly suggest t
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

2016 ITC CALL FOR PRESENTATION PROPOSALS In preparation for the IAAI’s 2016 International Training Conference (ITC), the ITC Training Committee is issuing this call for presentation proposals. The IAAI’s 2016 ITC is scheduled for April 24-29, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Any individual that is interested is sharing their knowledge with other professionals in the field of fi
Forum: Training Seminars

Be advised that the May 1 submission date is kind of a guideline. All submissions will be considered, but obviously the earlier the submission, the better your chances.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

2016 ITC CALL FOR PRESENTATION PROPOSALS In preparation for the IAAI’s 2016 International Training Conference (ITC), the ITC Training Committee is issuing this call for presentation proposals. The IAAI’s 2016 ITC is scheduled for April 24-29, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. Any individual that is interested is sharing their knowledge with other professionals in the field of fire investig
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Using sound waves to displace oxygen in a fire A long way to go, but the potential is exciting.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations