This case has little to do with fires. But the case has lots to do with the SM and scientific analysis. The judge in the murder trial excluded two State experts from testifying about audio analysis of voices, stating that it was not a proven science.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I am working on an explosion, and more particularly, the workings of a control panel for a boiler system. The control panel was improperly labelled for the way that it operated. What standard(s) (OSHA, Instrumentation Society of America (ISA), NFPA) mandate the proper labeling of equipment and controls and valves? Thanks William Fold, MSc
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

It appeas we have a bad lawyer giving answers. These answers might cause someone to flunk the bar exam.... The SOR is normally in the domain of those that practice law. Amd the SOR varies not only by jurisdiction, but also by its application. A loss happened In a certain state. The SOR is 5 years. The wiring that caused the loss was installed when the house was built, seven years ago.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

John A fascinating picture. Was this just a loose wire segment someone threw in and left on the floor for the test? Normally this wire, which appears to be a section of type NM cabling, would be thermally shielded by drywall or by flooring and decking. Regardless, however, a great picture.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

This makes NO sense. None. When ISN'T a fire investigation a forensic matter? Reminds me of the bloke at the restaurant, he ordered: Soup du jour of the day Prime rib au jus with gravy Pie a la mode with ice cream
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Gary With all due respect, no one here has asked for things to be terribly complex. Rather, we have asked for accuracy. It is the "rules of thumb" that have plagued this fire O and C profession. What's wrong with stating that under some conditions metal may enhance the spread due to thermal diffhsivigy. In other cases, the metal will serve as a Flame arrestor The artic
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Why pay $900 for a lens? Because Nikon makes outstanding lenses. But I do question the 300 mm aspect.. Depending upon the body, it will be a 300 mm OR it will be about a 480 mm, based upon the scaling factor. This high magnification might demand a tripod, even with VR (Vibration Reduction) The real question is: what on a fire scene do you shoot at 480 mm? I can state that I have
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

I am reviewing a dryer fire. The chemist has determined that there is .6 % hexane extractible material, for which GC/MS identified as being polyunsaturated fatty acids (vegetable oil). The pertinent question is as to whether this signifies that spontaneous heating took place sufficient to cause a fire. The reason for the question, besides the obvious, is that there have been dryer fires for w
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

The engineers have it worked out. Yes they can carry 50 licenses, but the qualifying tests are the same in each state. Pass the FE and PE tests once and you just need to do paperwork and pay $$$ for each jurisdiction. Tennessee wants $500 per year for the privilege of holding a job.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

An excellent decision. The First Amendment reigns...
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations

Some judges frown on anything that makes ANY smoke or byproduct of arcing in the courtroom. Even smoke detectors with canned smoke.
Forum: Fire/Arson Investigations