Curriculum Vitae

CAPABILITIES

Qualified to conduct origin and cause investigations of fire and explosion incidents involving residential, commercial, industrial, automotive, marine, wildland, and hazardous materials environments. Investigative scope includes suspected arson, accidental ignition, chemical releases, and illegal discharges. Utilizes a systematic approach based on the Scientific Method as outlined in NFPA 921 (2024 edition), ensuring all hypotheses are tested against empirical data and scene evidence. Responsibilities include: locating the area of origin or seat of explosion through burn pattern analysis, damage assessment, and witness correlation; determining the ignition source and causal factors using forensic protocols and scene reconstruction; collecting, preserving, and documenting physical evidence, including samples for laboratory analysis; preparing comprehensive investigation reports tailored to legal and insurance audiences, incorporating origin and cause analysis, witness statements, annotated photographs, diagrams, and video documentation; capturing aerial imagery and video using UAVs and documenting fire scenes with Matterport 3D scans for spatial accuracy and presentation clarity; rendering professional opinions supported by documented methodology and scene findings; providing expert testimony in legal proceedings, including case review, deposition, and trial support; and conducting hazardous materials investigations related to fires, spills, leaks, and environmental violations. All investigative procedures strictly adhere to NFPA 921 standards to ensure defensibility, repeatability, and professional integrity.

EDUCATION

• 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

EXPERIENCE

• Private Fire Investigator – Twenty-five (25) 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

COURT QUALIFICATIONS

• United Stated Federal Court – 2025 - Expert Witness in Fire Origin and Cause – Santa Ana, CA – Civil Case
• United States Federal Court – 2024 - Expert Witness in Fire Origin and Cause – Riverside, CA – 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

TEACHING CREDENTIALS

• 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

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

Ongoing continuing education including:

• CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 28 Hours 10/25 - Tested
• IAAI – Investigation of Marine Fire Investigation – 32 Hours 6/25 - Tested
• CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 28 Hours 2/2025 - Tested
• CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 28 Hours 10/2024 - Tested
• IAAI-ITC – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 36 Hours 4/24 - Tested
• CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminar – 28 Hours 10/2023 - Tested
• CCAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminars – 28 Hours (2018–2022)
• IAAI – Investigating Motor Vehicle Fires – 24 hours 1/2022 - Tested
• IAAI – Advanced Fire Investigation Seminars
• CCAI – Marine Fire Investigations
• CCAI – Issues with Electrolux Dryer Fires and Arc Mapping
• NAFI - Advanced Fire Investigation Seminars
• Fire Investigation 1, 2, 3 – State Fire Marshal's Office
• Electrical Appliance Investigation – Public Agency Training Council
• Multiple IAAI CFITrainer courses including Motor Vehicles, Fire Dynamics, NFPA 921, Evidence Collection, Fatal Fires, Arc Mapping, Marine Fire, Wildland Fire Investigation, and more

COURSES AND SEMINARS INSTRUCTED

• 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 – Investigative Resources on the Internet, Report Writing
• Western States Auto Theft Investigators – Investigative Resources on the Internet
• Multiple specialized courses in Fire Investigation, Photography, Report Writing, Vehicle Fires, and Arson Recognition

TEST BURNS

Participated in numerous live fire test burns including:

• California Conference of Arson Investigators – Lithium-Ion batteries 10/2023
• International Assoc. of Arson Investigators – Vehicle Fires 1/25/2022
• California Conference of Arson Investigators – Structure Fires 11/2017
• California Conference of Arson Investigators – Structure Fires, Vehicle Fires, Electrical Fires
• City of Santa Ana – Structure Fires
• City of Huntington Beach – Structure Fires, Flashover Chamber
• Public Agency Training Council – Vehicle Fires

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS