OK, we have reached a final agreement with the SAVATO terrorist group. They will release Jim Mazerat and pay us twenty pounds of Mudbugs and two six packs if JAX (warm).
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I have just been contacted by the terrorist group that was holding Jim Mazerat. This is a new group of Cajun terrorists. They call themselves, the Society Against Verbosity, A Terrorist Organization (SAVATO). While they were originally asking for a ransom of twenty pounds of mudbugs and two six packs of JAX, I have negotiated them down to their paying us $1000 to take him back. Negotiations ar
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That was a excellant answer. It as well thought out, on point, and well presented. What have you done with the real Jim Mazerat? If you are holding him for ransom, let us know and I will immediately begin a collection to get my old friend of more than two decades back. On the other hand...
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My post was for Mazerat, not for you. I thought your post was right on, as usual.
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29.1.5.5 Scene. The specific physical location of the incident within the site. The area or areas (structure, vehicle, boat, piece of equipment, etc.) designated as relevant to the investigation of the incident because it may contain physical damage or debris, evidence, victims, or incident-related hazards. This is the area to be processed during the scene examination. 29.1.5.6 Site. The
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Some times cherrypicking individual sections of 921 just make a point, without actually understanding them doesn't work. As always reading and understanding the entire document is suggested. 19.4.4.3 There are times when there is no physical evidence of the ignition source found at the origin, but where an ignition sequence can logically be inferred using other data. Any determination
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Not Negative Corpus as defined in 921, but some reasonable extrapolation of sections: 24.2 Incendiary Fire Indicators. 24.2.1 Multiple Fires. 24.2.1.1 24.2.3 Lack of Expected Fuel Load or Ignition Sources. 24.4 Other Evidentiary Factors. 24.4.1 24.4.1.1 24.4.2.1* Geographic Areas, or Clusters. 24.4.2.2 Temporal Frequency. 24.4.2.3 Materials and Method. 24.4.8 Timed Opportuni
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If you're tired of being told that you are beating a dead horse stop beating the carcass and "go read a book."
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Please!
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Sounds like good use of the scientific method as described in 921. 1. Identify the problem 2. Define the problem. 3. Collect data, 4. Analyze the data. 5. DEVELOP A HYPOTHESIS 6. Prove the Hypothesis through falsification. 7. Select a final hypothesis. “…the event did not or may not have occurred in accordance with her story.”
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Sounds like good use of the scientific method as described in 921. 1. Identify the problem 2. Define the problem. 3. Collect data, 4. Analyze the data. 5. Prove the Hypothesis through falsification. 6. Select a final hypothesis. “…the event did not or may not have occurred in accordance with her story.”
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Critical Thinking - it was a competent fuel exposed to a competent ignition source because it burned. It appears FROM SOME EXTRAPOLATED DATA that the flame color varies in inverse proportion to visible wavelength and oxygenation of the diffuse fuel vapors, and direct proportion to the frequency. (i.e. purple and blue well oxygenated, yellow, orange, and red less oxygenated. But don’t quote
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Among the 75+ years of myth, mystery, wives’ tales, pseudo-science, educated and uneducated guesses, and simple B.S.; it is perhaps the color of flames (and smoke) which takes the prize. Much more unmitigated crap has been published about the color of flames in relation to fire investigation, than even about the scientific method. As I see it, there are to general ways to address this quest
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Since 1992 with the issuance of the first edition of 921 the courts have continually ruled that the scientific method, as described, defined, and directed in 921 is accurate and sufficient for court decisions. Please see the recent court decision as cited in Rich Kovarsky’s post of earlier today. This esoteric academic discussion of what the scientific method is in fire investigations s
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This is good work Jim. Do us all a favor and formalize this review into a wider-reaching research paper. NAFI and/or ISFI will publish it.
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Chwck your email buddy. I already sent you the articles.
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Good point Jim, Your citation to the twelve year old “NCJ 218773 Evaluation of Fire Scene Contamination by Using Positive-Pressure Ventilation Fans” is pretty much 180 degrees opposite to Doug and his colleagues two papers on the subject and others. I must note that the Doug (et al)’s 2006 ISFI paper was available for face to face discussion with the authors themselves by any of the ISFI 20
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So is having a chance to meet Stu Sklar in person and get your picture taken telling he is wrong.
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Mark, Thanks for the favorable review of ISFI. It is the first time I have ever been referred to as "modest." ISFI was designed to present current issues in our profession in a forum that will stimulate "active discussion" and in a format that is beneficial to all levels of expertise and experience, from the "dirty knuckles" investigators to the Ph.Ds.
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The International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, ISFI 2014, will be held at the University of Maryland, September 22-24, 2014. ISFI deadlines for discounts for early registration and the deadline for presentation abstracts have been extended, but are approaching. All you need to apply to be a presenter is an abstract of 750 words or less. Presenters also receive a
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Jim, You are correct. This applys only to criminal cases, though it may be argued that this is the area where the most serious, irreversible, damage is done.
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Thanks Doug, The difference was between the sessions of congress 103rd v. 113th.
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Senate Bill S.2177 - Criminal Justice and Forensic Science Reform Act An important and interesting read.
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Thanks Doug, I ahve a copy of your excellent ISFI paper as well as: The Extent of Evaporation of Ignitable Liquids Under Exposure to Compartment Fires, Non-Fire Thermal and Non-Thermal Environments Jamie L. McAllister, MScFPE, P.E., Richard J. Roby, P.E., Ph.D. & Douglas J. Carpenter, MScFPE, P.E. Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc., USA and Jose L. Torero, Ph.D. Univers
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Looking for any published research into the theory that use of gasoline powered PPV fans or other tools can have an effect on the reliability of positive gasoline samples, or K-9 alerts. Can vapors from these devices create erroneous accelerant opinions?
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This is an excellent article, well researched and footnoted. Everyone should indeed, read it. Don't be put off by is reported 79 page length. It is only half that voluminous if you skip the footnotes. My only complaint is the title and therefore the initial view of its theme. I don't think this is about "A Coming Storm," but rather about welcome change to our professi
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Lorne, I'm afraid that a posthumous pardon for Todd Willingham is not about justice to the deceased. His chance for justice has already been irrevocably denied. It is really about the "official" semblance of justice, or mitigation of guilt, for those who ultimately denied justice to Willingham in the first place. Now, that appears to be gone as well - as dead as Willingham himself. M
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Don’t miss Paul’s IAFI Webinar on “Anatomy of Wrongful Arson Conviction - The common causes and true costs of junk fire science.” June 20, 2014 3;00 pm
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6.19.11.2 Cylinders having water capacities greater than 2.7 lb (1 kg) shall not be located on decks or balconies of dwellings of two or more living units above the first floor unless they are served by exterior stairways.
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NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code 2011 Edition 6.19.3 Installation Requirements for Cylinders, Equipment, Piping, and Appliances in Buildings, Building Roofs, and Exterior Balconies. 6.19.3.1 Cylinders having water capacities greater than 2.7 lb (1.2 kg) and connected for use shall stand on a firm and substantially level surface. If necessary, they shall be secured in an upright posit
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