Thanks Chris
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Does anyone have a BRK 4120 smoke detector they would Be willing to sell? Need one as an exemplar for a case. Thanks
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

How would you go about deposing a fire investigator to find out if he or she has the basic knowledge required by 1033?
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I have taken the depositions of hundreds of fire investigators. It is amazing the number who look you in the eye and say they have the requisite knowledge of the 16 topics listed in 1033 and then are utterly incapable of giving basic explanations of those topics. I deposed a investigator today. It was the same old thing. If you investigate a fire and someone can go to prison, lose an insuran
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

This is the information I have regarding services for Pat. This Saturday March 11, 2017. Viewing at 1pm, service at 2pm Brown & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory 5624 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

It is with a heavy heart that I report that my friend, mentor and giant of the fire investigation community, Pat Kennedy passed away last night. Pat was a larger than life presence in the fire investigation community for over 50 years. His contributions to the profession were second to none. He was a dear, loyal friend to me and many others and will be deeply missed by his friends and by th
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Pat Your father was a giant in this profession. I treasured the times I spent with him . I know how much you admired, respected and looked up to him, and deservedly so. His passing is not only a tremendous personal loss to you and your family, but a loss to the entire fire investigation community as well. He was a trailblazer who was far a head of his time. My condolences to you and your f
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

The work John Lentini, the Innocence Project and others have done to free people wrongfully convicted of arson is incredible. It also demonstrates what has gone wrong with the investigation and prosecution of arson cases in this country. Time and time again we hear about someone who has been incarcerated for 20 plus years being released because it was finally established that they were convicted
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

He made his own independent determination.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Surprisingly he testified that 921 is authoritative and there is nothing he disagrees with in 921. But you got it nailed on the other items you mentioned.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Police detective testifies today at deposition in a civil case. He was officer in charge of criminal investigation resulting in my client being charged with arson. When I asked him to explain what a fire plume was he was unable to do so. When asked to explain the phases of development of a fire plume he was unable to do so. It is disgusting that hacks like this are actually allowed to have crimin
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Hearing Texas State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy speak is worth the price of admission alone.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I always find it rather interesting when a fire Invesigator, in a deposition, puffs up his chest and pontificates why he disagrees with a particular section of 921, yet these types never seem to submit a proposal to change what they so fervently believe is wrong.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Mike I agree we need to get a handle on the number of arson fires. However there is an "arson industry" that depends on the "arson problem" for its existence. SIU departments, fire investigators, law firms that defend arson cases, organizations that have as it's mission the fight against arson. Think of all the resources from the public and private sector that go into
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

There is an entire industry that depends on the existence of an "arson problem." Think of all of the public and private sector investigstors, insurance SIU investigators, forensic accountants, labs, law firms all of whom need an "arson problem" to justify their jobs. Yet it appears that no one really has a handle on the the magnitude of the "problem." I think
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Explosion occurs in a house on a residential street where the homes are fairly close together. People in neighboring homes get thrown around due to the force of the explosion in their neighbors house and suffer various injuries. Looking for an expert who can testify as to the mechanics as to how the force of the explosion caused these injuries.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Sorry. That should have been the National Association of Subrogation professionals.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I just returned from IASIR meeting in Quebec City. I was there representing NAFI along with Roger Krupp and Rick Jones on behalf of the IAAI and Ken Levine on behalf of the Association of Subrogation Professionals. The 4 of us put on a 45 minute presentation to state and provincial regulators responsible for licensing private investigators. In short we explained the unique issues those who in
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

If my memory is correct, John Comery who was with the ATF at the time was the task group chair for Chapter 6.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

The stupidity of people never ceases to amaze me!
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Michigan has long been as backwards and far behind the times as any state in the country when it comes to training investigators. There are many reasons for this, but suffice it to say that the entities that control most of the training in the state are very resistant to embrace change. New ideas, perspectives different from their own, are dismissed. I have,however, seen glimmers of hope from
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Uncortunaty over the last year I have seen some of the worst fire investigations in my nearly 28 years of handling fire cases. These aren't the old school guys these are the so called "new breed" of investigator. They blatantly disregard science, blatantly use negative corpus all the while thumbing their nose at those who think science is important when analyzing a fire. Part o
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Jim I don't give a rats ass if you or anyone else agrees or disagrees with my opinion. Parse the questions and answers as you like. The testimony is indefensible.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

No
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Unfortunately, "my side" never had an opportunity to do an origin and cause investigation. However, I do know that concluding an open flame was used by "eliminating all accidential causes" when the investigator admits a high resistance connection was not considered or eliminated, when a failure on a tripped circuit was eliminated based soley on the belief that the fire was i
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Jim You are missing the point. This investigator used two inappropriate methodologies to reach his conclusion. He has no reliable scientific reference to support what he did. That's the point.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Absolutely discounting it. One of the "pour patternss" was in a room that experienced flashover.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Steve This investigator is unethical for the following reasons: 1. He claims he ruled out all accidental causes and therefore concluded the fire was intentionally set (negative corpus) yet admits he could not rule out ALL accidental causes. 2. Claims he didn't need to examine a circuit on which a breaker was tripped because he had concluded that the fire was set. This contradict
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Another gem: Q. The circuit panel showed that at least one breaker was tripped, correct A. Yes, I believe that’s— Q. Did you trace that circuit to find out where it went? A. I did not us any device to trace it or anything. Q. Why? A. Because I didn’t Q. Why didn’t you? A. Because I didn’t see a reason to. Q. I thought you were trying to rule out all the electrical sources of i
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Deposed this fire investigator 2 weeks ago. This investigator was hired by a major insurance company. Q. Would you agree with me that NFPA 921 says that you cannot call something an ignitable liquid pour pattern unless you have confirmation by a lab, you agree with me that’s what is says? A. I agree that’s what it says. Q. Okay. You disagree with that though, correct? A. Yes, I do.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations