Fire Cause Origin Explosion Investigator Expert Witness

Expert Witness No.2750

Education & Training

Nov. 09, 2009 4 hrs
CFITrainer.net course on Preparation for the Marine Fire Scene
Oct. 21, 2009 8 hrs
NC/SC IAAI Post Flashover & Ventilation Effects of Fire
Oct. 19-23, 2009
36 hours NC/SC IAAI Seminar Fire Investigative Approaches (tested)
Sept.14, 2009 3 hrs
Aug. 24 – 28, 2009
Aug. 9, 2009  4 hrs
July 16, 2009 4 hrs
April 7, 2009 4 hrs
Nov 18, 2008 4 hrs
Nov 17, 2008 2 hrs
Nov 17, 2008 3 hrs
Nov 12, 2008 4 hrs
CFI Trainer Seminar on Effective Investigation & Court Testimony
TN IAAI 40 Hour Seminar on Fire Investigation Techniques
CFI Trainer Seminar on Arc Mapping
CFI Trainer course on Motive, Means & Opportunity in Arson Cases
CFI Trainer course on Digital Photograph & Fire Investigation  (tested)
IAAI course on Fire & Explosion Invest. Utilizing NFPA 1033 and 921
CFITrainer.net course on MagneTek: A Case Study in Daubert Challenge
CFITrainer.net course on Fire Investigator Scene Safety
CFITrainer.net course on Post flashover Fires
Oct 15 2008 3 hrs
C V F M A. Seminar on Commercial Restaurant Hood Systems & Fires
Sept. 19 2008 4 hrs
Sept. 18 2008 4hrs
Sept. 17th 3 hrs
Sept. 18 2008 4 hrs
Sept. 9 2008  4 hrs
September 8, 2008
Sept. 4, 2008 4 hrs
Sept. 3, 2008 8hrs
Ventilation & Its impact on buildings systems and fire development
CFITrainer.net course on Types of Fire Scene Evidence ( tested )
Investigation of Motor Vehicle Fires  by Virginia State Police
Investigation of Motor Vehicle Fires CFITrainer.net  IAAI
An Analysis of the Station Nightclub Fire CFITrainer.net IAAI
4 hrs. IAAI Documenting the Event/Fire by CFITrainer.net  tested
IAAI Understanding Fire Through Candle Experiments tested
IAAI  Managing Complex Fire Scene Investigations by CFITrainer.net & Vacant & Abandoned Buildings as a Fire Hazards  (tested )
Aug 26-28 2008
20 hrs National Criminal Justice Public Safety Cont. Ed. Hands on Electrical Fire Origin & Cause Determination sponsored by PATC
Aug 11, 12 2008
Training for ladder, self rescue & construction safety by Barnhart Construction
March 19th 2008
VA. IAAI Fire Investigation of Farm Equipment fires & Interviews 8 Hrs
Jan 2008 tested
Cedars Sinai Hospital Operating Room fires Safety Training Program
August 6-8 2007
24 hours PATC Seminar on Arson Case Management
April 23-24 2007
16 hours PATC Seminar in Arson Scene Search topics: finger prints rough surfaces, spoliation of evidence, searches & evidence collection with labs
March 20-22 2007
24 hrs VA IAAI Invest. of Gas & Electric Appliance fires by Fire Findings
Jan 2007
CFI Trainer.com Preparing for trial, Analyzing insurance Documents
9-10 thru 12-1-06
National Fire Academy “coffee break training” in house various dates topics LP gas, fire resistant construction, bulk LP, sprinklers, wood chips piles, smoke alarms, stand pipes, HVAC systems.
July 31-Aug.4,
2006 40 hours
Tenn. Chapter IAAI Annual seminar for Fire & Fraud investigation held in Gatlinburg Tennessee.
July 26-28 2006
22 hours
National Criminal Justice Seminar held in Hampton Virginia CERTIFICATION in Fire Pattern Recognition & Identification thru Public Agency Training Council.
Oct, 2004 36 hrs.
VA. Chapter IAAI Topics on NFPA-921, Vehicle Fires, Legal updates
August 2005 40 hrs
Tenn. Chapter IAAI Annual Seminar for Fire & Fraud Investigation held in Gatlinburg Tennessee.
August 3, 2005
4 hrs
New Mexico Tech. & Energetic Materials Research & Testing Center Seminar in Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings
April 2005
8 hrs.
International IAAI general meeting and seminar held at Arlington, Virginia.
Sept 28-Oct.-3 03
Maryland/DC IAAI chapter fire seminar on Fraud Fires & Investigations
Sept 4-6 2003
Nat. IAAI & IAAI West Virginia Seminar on Vehicle Fire Investigations co- sponsored by Ford Motor Company
June 25th 2003
VSCA 4.5 hrs on topics of Subrogation, Case law and Hazardous materials
March 24 & 25 2003
Va. IAAI Spring seminar, topics studied NFPA-921 Fire Investigation & Post Blast
Sept. 30 /Oct. 2, 2002
2002 Vehicle Fire , Arson & Explosion Investigation Science & Tech Seminar sponsored by N.A.F.I.,  Fire & Safety Engineering Technology  & Eastern Kentucky University  (first certification course for vehicles in US.)
Sept. 23-27, 2002
State of Kentucky Fire Investigation School held at Somerset, KY
Sept. 3rd 2002
Career Institute Tech Center Course on Traffic Collision Investigation
Sept 6th 2002
Career Institute Tech Center Course on Fire & Arson Investigation
March 27, 2002
Va. Claims Assoc. Mini Seminar topics studied Virginia Insurance Law.
Oct. 16 &17 2001
Sept. 24-28, 2001
Va. IAAI Fall seminar, topics studied electrical appliance fires
KY Fire/Homicide Invest School, topics studied- fire C & O, Legal & Court cases, elec. Appl. fires, wildfires, arson K-9, auto fires, spoliation of evidence
July 23-25, 2001
I.A.A.I. Virginia Chapter seminar on fire investigation topics studied
Fire dynamics & fire research, Lightweight building construction, Explosives, CPSC, tool marks & lab exams, Electrical utility issues, Legal up dates, Natural gas  & Propane fires
May 21-25 2001
I.A.A.I. Atlantic City New Jersey Annual Seminar studied topics on
Burn testing observations, Pyrophoric carbon study, Residential dryer fires, Electrical overheating modes, Propane fire investigation, Motor vehicle arson
& insurance fraud, Motor vehicle fire, Arson & theft examinations
May 16 & 17 2001
I.A.S.I.U. Seminar on Insurance Fraud Class on Arson Investigation
May 11, 2001
P.I.A. Seminar on Fraud, Photo Surveillance & Legal Ramifications
March 29, 2001
Virginia Insurance Day seminar on surveillance & privacy issues
appliance failure analysis, Vehicle fire investigation, legal aspects
Feb. 9-11, 2001
Nat. Fire Academy & IAAI Course on Witness Testimony (Pilot)
‘Train the Trainer’ including Studies of Recent Court Decisions on Spoliation of Evidence. Live Courtroom Testimony & Critique.
Sept.14, 2000 8-hr.
3rd Annual Virginia Workers Comp Seminar for Claims Professionals
Aug. 14-18, 2000
Tenn. Chapter I.A.A.I. Fire Investigation Seminar Gatlinburg Tenn.
July 24 & 25, 2000
16 hours
Virginia Chapter I.A.A.I. Fire & Arson Investigation Seminar
Topics: Vehicle Fluids Analysis & Financial Records Analysis
May 2 Thru 6
40 hours
Kentucky Chapter I.A.A.I.  Fire investigation Seminar Somerset Ky.
( Live Court Room Testimony & Live Burn Exercises)
March 21 thru 24, 2000 28 hours
Virginia Chapter I.A.A.I Spring Seminar on Fire & Arson Investigation regarding Scene Preservation & Electrical Fire Causes in Hanover, VA.
August  23 thru  September 3, 1999          (80 hours)
The National Fire Academy, Fire & Arson Investigation Course held at the National Emergency Training Center provided by (F.E.M.A.)  & The United States Fire Administration  R- 205  Emmittsburg, Maryland
August 16-20 1999
Tenn. Chapter I.A.A.I. Fire investigation Seminar Gatlinburg Tenn.
July 1999
Virginia Chapter I.A.A.I. Arson Seminar Williamsburg VA. 34 hr.
May 4-5, 1999
International Association of Special Investigation Units (I.A.S.I.U.) 7th Annual Insurance Fraud Seminar held at Richmond VA.  (vendor)
April 8 - 10, 1999
National Advanced Fire & Explosion Science and Technology Program Fire Science Department Eastern Kentucky University
March 1, 1999
Completed testing for the International Association of Arson Investigators I.A.A.I. Certified Fire Investigator program C.F.I.
March  24-26,1999
Virginia Chapter I.A.A.I advanced techniques on fire investigation
March 10, 1999
C.V.F.A.A Haz-Mat Storage, Compressed Gases, 3 Hours
February 21, 1999
Chesterfield Training Academy Video Surveillance technique
Feb. 21-1999
Private Investigation Seminar Sponsored by F.A.C.G. & F.A.C.T.S.
February 10, 1999
C.V.F.A.A. Chemistry of Fire Behavior 3 hours
January 13, 1999
C.V.F.A.A. Code Inspections Update Course 2 Hours
Sept.21- Oct.18’98
Private Investigation Course - Civil/Criminal law 60 hrs.
August 1998
Volunteer Fire Investigator on call Petersburg, VA. Arson Squad.
August17-21 ‘98
Tennessee Chapter I.A.A.I. Seminar, Modern Techniques of Arson Investigation Tennessee State Fire Marshals Office
July 21-24,1998
(36 hours)
Virginia I.A.A.I. Chapter Seminar on “Advanced Arson Investigator
Training”, Williamsburg, Virginia.
June 1-12, 1998
(120+ hours)
VA State Fire Marshals Academy School on NFPA 921 Guide to Fire & Explosion Investigation 1998 Edition & NFPA 1033 State certification by Department of Fire Programs as C.F.I.
Oct. 13-17, 1997
NC/SC IAAI Seminar Sponsored by Ford Motor Company
July 1997
Continuing Legal Education for the Virginia Bar Association
sponsored by The National Insurance Crime Bureau Richmond VA
February 15, 1997
Michael J. Cohan Investigations/Inquisitor, Inc.                                        Private Investigations seminar Nashville Tenn.
March 20-22 1997
National Advanced Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation Science and Technology Program, Eastern Kentucky University.
March 22, 1997
Determining the Cause and Origin of Fire and Explosions Training Seminar, Eastern Kentucky University.
Aug. 22-26, 1994
Modern Techniques of Arson Investigation, Tenn. chapter I.A.A.I
January 29-30, 1994
Electrical Seminar, International Association of Arson Investigators, I.A.A.I Inc. Kentucky Chapter, Madisonville, Kentucky.
Aug 9 to 13, 1993
Tenn. Chapter I.A.A.I. Tenn. State Fire School
May 19-21, 1993
Tennessee State Fire School, Murfeesboro, Tennessee.
August 17-21, 1992
Modern Techniques of Arson Investigation, under Sponsorship of the I.A.A.I and Tennessee State Fire Marshals Office,
May 29, 1992
Fire & Arson Techniques, State of Tennessee, Tennessee State Board of Regents, Tennessee State Fire School, Murfeesboro, Tennessee.
May 21-23, 1991
Fire Investigation, sponsored by the Tennessee Advisory Committee on Arson in cooperation with the Tennessee State Fire School Murfeesboro, Tennessee.
Aug.13, 1990 to Jan.7, 1991.
Residential House Wiring, Nashville Technical Center, Nashville, Tennessee.
July 23-27, 1990
Specialized school in Modern Techniques of Arson Investigation sponsored by the Tennessee chapter International Association of Arson Investigators, Johnson City, Tennessee.
May 21 to 25, 1990.
Specialized Training Seminar Arson In Tennessee, sponsored by the
Tennessee Advisory Committee on Arson in cooperation with the Tennessee State Fire School, Murfeesboro, Tennessee.
Nov. 1989.
Received Fire and Explosive Investigation Certification through the National Association of Fire Investigators, at Eastern Kentucky University.   
Nov. 1, 1989.
40 hours
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator Meeting, National Association of Fire Investigators, Chicago, Illinois.
Aug.28 to Sept.1, 1989.
Georgia I.A.A.I. State Fire Marshal’s 25th Annual Arson Seminar, held at The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia.
May 1989
Arson Seminar, sponsored by the Tenn. Advisory Committee on Arson in cooperation with the Tennessee State Fire School
August 21, 1988.
Determining the Cause & Origin of Fire and Explosions, National Association of Fire Investigators at Eastern Kentucky University.
August 17 to 21, 1988.
Fourth Annual Fire and Arson Investigation Seminar,
Eastern Kentucky University.
1982-87
Full time & part time OJT under former Tenn. State Fire Marshal
1987
Constitutional Law at John Tyler Community Collage Chester, VA.
1984 Summer
Evidence Tech.  S.E.A. Investigations Tampa, Fla.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

March 1987 to
May   1997
Southern Fire Analysis, Inc. Nashville, Tennessee.

Trained primarily under the direction of former Tennessee State Fire Marshal with over 4000 fire scenes and 32 years of experience that include over 27 years in Insurance Investigations.

Extensive Training in all theoretical and practical aspects of fire, arson & explosion investigation. Up to date on all spoliation of evidence issues for fire and recent court cases
Duties Included:
Field fire scene illustrator. Evidence removal and storage technician. Fire scene photographer. Primary investigator. Field training supervisor, Consultant and Fire Investigator Instructor.

Examined approximately 3,000 fire losses including over 800 vehicle fires. Over 22 years in Insurance investigations

Completed numerous University, Fire Schools and Seminars ‘Fire Investigation’, ‘Fire Science’ and ‘Explosive’ Classes.

Researched Fire Science, Investigation, Evidence collection, Law & Explosive Methods, Theory & Practice.

Conducted numerous large loss examinations of both Commercial, Industrial & Residential properties including auto, heavy equipment, live Oil well fires etc.

Testified as an expert O & C witness in both criminal and civil cases.

Graduate of the Virginia State Fire Marshals Academy
( NFPA 921& NFPA 1033 Certified )

Registered Nationally as a Certified Fire Investigator with the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications. NFPA 1033 & I.A.A.I

Extensive training & field experience in Surveillance & Bodily Injury investigations.
Graduate National Fire Academy Fire & Arson Investigation Course R-205

One of only approximately 50 investigators in the U.S. to hold all known Certifications in Fire & Explosion Investigation

One of only 18 investigators out of over 400 in the U.S. to be accredited with participating in the first IAAI Witness Testimony Course Pilot Program for Instructors in February of 2001

ORGANIZATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS

2003 to present
Tennessee Advisory Committee on Arson ( TACA )

1989 to Present
International Association of Arson Investigators. (I.A.A.I.)

1988 to Present
National Association of Fire Investigators.   (N.A.F.I.)

1989 to Present

Georgia Chapter International Assoc. of Arson Investigators.

1990 to Present

1994 to Present
Tennessee Chapter IAAI Assoc. of Arson Investigators.

Kentucky Chapter International Assoc. of Arson Investigators

1998 to Present
West Virginia Chapter International Assoc. of Arson Investigators

1999 to Present
The National Fire Academy Alumni Association

2003 to Present
Member The American College of Forensic Examiners

to Present
IAAI Instructor through the IAAI & National Fire Academy

(Certificates of Achievements available upon request.)

PROFESSIONAL JOURNALS AND PERODICALS

Available Upon Request

COURSES OF INSTRUCTION TAUGHT