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2011
Annual Training Conference
Class Material
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Vehicle Fire Investigations
Instructor Steven R. Mackaig
This presentation will provide a scientific approach to vehicle fire cause examination suitable for any level of fire investigation experience. Proving an incendiary vehicle fire cause requires the consideration and elimination of potential accidental fire causes. An accidental fire cause is a common arson defense. We will study accidental fire causes so that you understand and recognize accidental fire causes which will strengthen your ability to prove an arson fire cause. The course will study vehicle arson motives and includes the relationship of our current economy. Learn how simple it has become to commit vehicle arson using methods other than ignitable liquids and difficult to prove due to the complexity of modern vehicles. This course will improve the effectiveness of new vehicle fire investigators and provide a contemporary courtroom tested approach to vehicle fire cause determination for the seasoned. Course includes live vehicle fire demonstrations with discussions and previous case studies.
Steven Mackaig has been a fire investigator since 1982 starting his investigation career with the San Diego Fire Department, Metro Arson Strike team. He is a certified fire investigator with the State of California and the International Association of Arson Investigators. He has conducted over 5 thousand fire investigations and holds a specialty in vehicle fire investigation. Mr. Mackaig has lectured on the subject throughout the United Stated States, Canada and Mexico and testified as an expert over 100 times in both civil and criminal cases. He has test burned over 100 vehicles in the study of vehicle fire behavior.
Mr. Mackaig is a currently a senior fire investigator with Fire Cause Analysis headquartered in Berkley, California. This company provides all types of fire cause investigations, testing, engineering and consulting in post fire cases.
Download Mr. MacKaigs Powerpoint Presentation. Due to the size of the original presentation it had to be reduced in size using four seperate files
Vehicle Fire Presentation Part 1 Vehicle Fire Presentation Part2
Vehicle Fire Presentation Part 3 Vehicle Fire Presentation Part 4
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Motorhome & RV Fire Investigations
Instructor Chris Bloom
This course presents the latest information on fires involving Recreational Vehicles of all types, including identifying and discussing the highly unique characteristics of the vehicles, their interrelated systems, as well as the materials commonly used in their construction. The presentation will include using this fundamental knowledge, along with the application of the NFPA 921 methodology, to assist the investigators in establishing a logical and sound scientific theory as to the origin and cause of the fire. Specifically included will be the important detailed questions for witnesses, case histories on problematic and recalled system components, and how to avoid several common investigative errors. Instructor Chris Bloom from Oregon has over 25 years’ experience as a fire consultant determining cause and origin of fires with expertise in Recreational Vehicles, Automobiles, Propane, Welding & Cutting Operations, covering thousands of fires throughout the US, England, Canada, and Mexico.
Bloom has been an expert on a high-profile case on CBS News-48 Hours national television program, and on episodes of Court-TV’s Forensic Files.
He currently provides limited consultation for both NTSB and NHTSA on vehicle fire issues and serves on three National Fire Protection Association Technical Committees and one ASTM Technical Committee, assisting in the drafting of new codes and revisions reflecting the up-to-date standards in the industry.
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Haystack Fire Investigation
Instructor Brenda Larsen
Brenda Larsen is currently the Kittitas County Fire Marshal, and has been a fire investigator since 1998. She is a certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, and co-authored the Instructor’s Training Curriculum Guide to the “Guide to Explosion and Bombing Scene Investigation” sponsored by the Technical Working Group for Fire and Explosions. She has conducted fire investigation training for local and state associations and provides technical assistance to local jurisdictions for fire investigation services. Throughout her career, she has investigated over 600 fires, has been called as an expert witness in numerous cases and has been successful in every arson case brought to trial.
Download the Powerpoint Presentaion Brenda Larsen used for this class.
Investigating Haystack Fires
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