Fire Origin and Cause InvestigatorPrivate Investigator Licenses - CA PI20512
Download PDF CV & Fee Schedule
Qualified to investigate fire scenes and explosions, involving residential, commercial, industrial, automotive marine vessels, wildland, hazardous materials, arson and explosions. Locate the seat of the explosion or point of origin, determine the cause, collect and record samples for laboratory analysis. Prepare investigation reports containing cause and origin analysis, witness statements, photographs, diagrams, video when required, along with any other additional components necessary to determine the origin and cause. Take aerial videos and photographs. Document fire scene with Matterport 3D scan. Render a professional opinion with respect to origin and cause investigation. Give expert testimony as to the results of these investigations along with case review and analysis. Conduct hazardous materials investigations of fires, spills, leaks and illegal discharges. A systematic approach using the Scientific Method as outlined in NFPA 921 is utilized when performing fire scene investigations.
• BS degree in Vocational Education, California State Long Beach, June 2000 • AA degree in Fire Science, Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, CA., June 1975 • High School Graduate, Edison High School, Huntington Beach, CA., June 1971
• Private Fire Investigator – Twenty-Four (24) years – Fire Origin and Cause, Inc. • Thirty-seven (37) years of progressive experience with the Huntington Beach Fire Department (Retired). • Thirty (30) years in Fire and Arson Investigation with the Huntington Beach Fire Department • Twenty (20) years, Hazardous Materials Investigation • Part time employee for General Contractor in building construction - 3 years • Investigation of over 2500 fires, including Structures, Vehicles, Marine, Wildland, Flammable Bombs, Explosive • Devices, and other miscellaneous incidents, both accidental and incendiary.
• Licensed State of California Private Investigator - PI20512 • Certified Fire Investigator – (CFI) International Association of Arson Investigators • Certified Evidence Collection Technician (ECT) International Association of Arson Investigators • Specialized Credential Certification – Motor Vehicle Fire Investigation • Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) – National Association of Fire Investigators • Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI) – National Association of Fire Investigators • Certified Fire Investigator Instructor (CFII) - National Association of Fire Investigators • Certified Fire Investigator - (CFI) California Conference of Arson Investigators • Certified Fire Investigator I – California State Fire Marshal’s Office • Certified Fire Investigator II – California State Fire Marshal’s Office • Certified Chief Officer • Certified Fire Officer • Certified Firefighter 1 • Certified Firefighter 2 • Certified Fire Prevention Officer • Certified Hazardous Materials Tech. 1 • Certified Hazardous Materials Tech. 2 • Certified Fire Instructor
• United States Federal Court – Expert Witness in Fire Origin and Cause – Criminal Case • Orange County Superior Court – Expert Witness in Fire Origin and Cause – Criminal and Civil Cases. • Los Angeles County Superior Court – Expert Witness in Fire Origin and Cause. • Orange County Superior Court, Juvenile Division – Expert Witness in Fire Origin and Cause. • Riverside County Superior Court - Expert Witness in Fire Origin and Cause. • San Diego County Superior Court - Expert Witness in Fire Origin and Cause • Depositions - Gave testimony as Expert Witness in Fire Origin and Cause, Numerous Civil Cases
• State of California, Community College Teaching Credential• State Fire Marshal’s Office – Certified Instructor for Fire Investigation 1A, 1B and 2• State Fire Marshal’s Office – Certified Instructor for Fire Prevention 1A, 1B, and 1C
• CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 10/2022 – Tested • IAAI – Investigating Motor Vehicle Fires – 24 hours 1/2022 - Tested • CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 9/2021 - Tested • CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 2/2021 - Tested • CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 9/2020 - Tested • CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 9/2019 - Tested • CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 9/2018 - Tested • IAAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 4/2017 – Tested • CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 11/2017 - Tested • CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 1033 – 10/16 - Tested • CCAI – Issues with Electrolux Dryer Fires and Arc Mapping – 6/2016 • CCAI – Marine Fire Investigations 6/18 • CCAI – “Burn to Learn” – 3/7/16 - Tested • CCAI - NFPA 1033 - 3/30/15 - Tested • IAAI - Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar - 4/2014 • IAAI - Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar - 5/2011 • NAFI - Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar - 3/2011 • Fire Investigation 1 – State Fire Marshal’s Office • Fire Investigation 2 - State Fire Marshal’s Office • Fire Investigation 3 - State Fire Marshal’s Office • O.C.A.I – Kinesics Interviewing • Electrical Appliance Investigation – Public Agency Training Council • CSTI Haz-Mat Investigation • CSTI Officer Safety • C.C.A.I. Bi-Annual Seminars 1998 to Present • H.B.P.D. Psychological Profiling • Haz-Mat Flammable Liquids • Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms – Arson for Profit • C.C.A.I Seminar NFPA 921 – 8 Hrs. • C.C.A.I – Live Fire Tests – Doug Allen • C.C.A.I – Fire Death Investigation – Jim Allen • Public Agency Training Council – Vehicle Fires • IAAI – CFITrainer – Motor Vehicles: The Engine and the Ignition, Electrical and fuel systems • IAAI – CFITrainer – Motor Vehicles: Transmission, Exhaust, Brake and Accessory Systems • IAAI – CFITrainer – Motor Vehicles: The Engine and the Ignition, Electrical and fuel systems • IAAI – CFITrainer – The Scientific method for Fire and Explosion Investigation - Updated 2009 • IAAI – CFITrainer – Introduction to Fire Dynamics and Modeling • IAAI – CFITrainer – Investigating Motor Vehicle Fires • IAAI – CFITrainer – Introduction to Evidence • IAAI – CFITrainer – Physical Evidence at the Fire Scene • IAAI – CFITrainer – Understanding Fire through the Candle Experiments • IAAI – CFITrainer – Documenting the Event • IAAI – CFITrainer – Investigating Fatal Fires • IAAI – CFITrainer – Fire Investigator Scene Safety • IAAI – CFITrainer – Managing Complex Fire Scene Investigations • IAAI – CFITrainer – Digital Photography and the Fire Investigator • IAAI – CFITrainer – An Analysis of the Station Nightclub Fire • IAAI – CFITrainer – Insurance and the Fire Investigation • IAAI – CFITrainer – Post Flashover Fires • IAAI – CFITrainer – Arc Mapping Basics • IAAI – CFITrainer – Fire and Explosion Investigations: Utilizing NFPA 1033 and 921 • IAAI – CFITrainer – The HAZWOPER Standard • IAAI – CFITrainer – Preparation for the Marine Fire Scene • IAAI – CFITrainer – Electrical Safety • IAAI – CFITrainer – Fundamentals of Residential Building Construction • IAAI – CFITrainer – MagneTek: A Case Study in the Daubert Challenge • IAAI – CFITrainer – Wildland Fire Investigation • IAAI – CFITrainer – Evidence Examination: What Happens at the Lab? • IAAI – CFITrainer – The Practical Application of the Relationship Between NFPA 1033 & 921 • IAAI – CFITrainer – NFPA 1033 and Your Career • IAAI – CFITrainer – Ethics and the Fire Investigator • IAAI – CFITrainer - DNA • Serial Arson Analysis and Planning
• Master Instructor for Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, CA – Fire Investigation 40 hour intensified class. Numerous classes since 1978 • Master Instructor for Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, CA – Fire Prevention 40 hour intensified class. Numerous classes since 1978 • Master Instructor for Santa Ana College, Santa Ana, CA – Basic Fire Academy – 8-hour class. Numerous classes since 1996. • California Conference of Arson Investigators – Jan. 1998 – Investigative Resources on the Internet • California Conference of Arson Investigators – Jan. 2005 – Report Writing • Western States Auto Theft Investigators – Nov. 1999 – Investigative Resources on the Internet • Fire Investigation Report Writing • Fire Investigation Photography • Fire Cause and Origin, Strategy and Tactics • Incident Command System • Flammable Liquids in Fire Investigations • Fire Behavior • Vehicle Fire Investigation • Company Officer and Firefighter Recognition of Arson Fires • Guest Speaker at Numerous Community Meetings – Arson • Basic Cause and Origin – H.B.F.D Numerous Classes
• International Assoc. of Arson Investigators – Vehicle Fires 1/25/2022 • California Conference of Arson Investigators – Structure Fires 11/2017 • California Conference of Arson Investigators – Vehicle Fires • California Conference of Arson Investigators – Electrical Fires • City of Santa Ana – Structure Fires • City of Huntington Beach – Structure Fires • City of Huntington Beach – Flashover Chamber • Public Agency Training Council – Vehicle Fires • C.C.A.I. Electrical Fires – March 2008
Numerous articles written for Huntington Beach Police and Fire Department personnel.
• California Conference of Arson Investigators • International Association of Arson Investigators • National Association of Fire Investigators • Orange County Arson Investigators • International Association of Marine Investigators • National Fire Protection Association • Instructor for the State of California • Instructor for Santa Ana College – Investigation / Prevention • Orange County Fire Prevention Officers (past) • California Fire Chiefs Association (past)