Emerging Trends in Fire & Arson Investigations

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1 24 th Annual ICAC Arson & Fire Investigation Seminar Emerging Trends in Fire & Arson Investigations Sunday, February 24, :00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. ICAC Registration Desk Open 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. ICAC Exhibit Show set up Monday, February 25, :00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Registration Desk & Exhibit Show Open 9:00 9:10 a.m. Opening General Session Welcome and Introductions 9:10 10:40 a.m. General Session Emerging Investigation Trends The first decade of the new millennium has brought a myriad of social, economic and technological changes which directly impact the investigation of fire losses. To be an effective investigator today, it is no longer sufficient to keep up, and this program is designed to put you ahead of the curve and identify new trends, techniques and analysis methods for investigating fire losses. Ranging from socioeconomic analysis through computergenerated fraud, this program is one which will assist you in your daily task as an investigator. Matthew Smith Smith, Rolfes & Skavdahl Co., LPA Cincinnati, OH 10:40 11:00 a.m. Break in Exhibit Show Area 11:00 Noon General Session Understanding the Role of Ventilation in Fire Development This presentation will touch on some of the new work being done with elevated fires and show how the old methodology of working from "areas of least damage to most damage" can actually lead an investigator away from

2 an origin, not towards it. Attendees should leave with a better appreciation of the minimum understanding needed by their investigators and how several older techniques may not be appropriate. Steve Carman Carman & Associates Fire Investigation Dunsmuir, CA Noon 1:00 p.m. Lunch in Exhibit Show Area 1:15 3:00 p.m. General Session Analysis of an Arson Case How it Starts In February 2006, an insurance investigation led to the discovery of a pattern of fire loss and suspicious insurance claim activity in the Muncie, Indiana area. A criminal investigation was also then initiated to investigate a possible ongoing scheme to defraud the insurance industry by means of committing acts of arson and the filing of false and inflated insurance claims related to fire losses. Throughout the course of this two and a half year investigation, at least 73 arson-forprofit instances were identified and have been cleared. Claims paid out by insurance companies due to these fraudulent claims exceeded $3.4 million. Proper origin and cause investigation and interviewing is crucial to any arson investigation. This presentation will review this case, touch on key aspects of the investigation, and demonstrate why it is so vitally important that the proper questions are asked by an investigator with respect to origin and cause. Michael A. Vergon, IAAI-CFI (SA/CFI/NRT, Retired) Vergon and Associates Fire Investigation, LLC Indianapolis, Indiana Princess Spencer Senior Investigator, SIU Nationwide Insurance Indianapolis, IN 3:00 3:30 p.m. Break in Exhibit Show Area 3:30 4:45 p.m. General Session Where it Ends - An Arsonist s Viewpoint In the case above, five of the key individuals, including brother and sister Kenneth and Vanessa Allen were Federally indicted. Four of the five pled

3 guilty and were sentenced to serve time in Federal prison. The fifth died the week that he was to be sentenced. Approximately 40 other individuals also pled guilty in respective State court jurisdictions. Hear from the one of the individuals involved about the details of the case, and what can be learned from it. Kenny Allen Muncie, IN 5:00-6:00 p.m. Networking Reception - Exhibit Show Tuesday, February 26, :00 8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Show Area 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Registration Desk Open 8:00 9:30 a.m. General Session Enhancing Cooperation with First Responders This panel discussion will focus on ways of improving dialogue between public and private sector to avoid incidents of spoliation. We will explore ways to improve scene and evidence preservation during the response to fire calls. The panel will engage in a conversation with the audience and attempt to identify how we all can work together to improve scene preservation while, at the same time, balance our obligations related fire suppression and safety. Our hope is that holding an open forum on this subject will help open minds and lead to a more collaborative effort between public and private interests. Panelists: Michael Fitzpatrick Fitzpatrick & Burnette, LLC New Orleans, LA Michael A. Vergon, IAAI-CFI (SA/CFI/NRT, Retired) Vergon and Associates Fire Investigation, LLC Indianapolis, Indiana Jon C. Jones Jon Jones & Associates Lunenburg, MA

4 Chilworth Global Moderator: Joseph P. Toscano, IAAI - CFI Consultant, Fire Investigation & Litigation Support Additional Panelists to be announced 9:30 10:00 a.m. Break in Exhibit Show Area 10:00 11:30 a.m. Concurrent Sessions 1. Enhanced Fire Scene Documentation Enhanced Fire Scene Documentation is a review of recent developments in the changing standard of care in fire scene documentation and data collection. A series of technologies will be discussed which can improve efficiency and accuracy when utilized by fire investigators. This presentation is intended to promote the open exchange of ideas and experiences between class participants regarding the application of innovative tools and processes to fire scene documentation. Gerald A. Haynes, P.E. Forensic Fire Analysis, LLC Fredericksburg, VA 2. Fire Causes Accident vs. Intentional Was the fire accidental? Maybe not so accidental? What you see is not always what you ve got. We ll discuss some interesting cases that started out in one direction, ended up in another. Also included will be the role the lab plays in sorting out which direction is correct. Jack Sanderson, BS, CFI Fire Findings Investigations Benton Harbor, MI 11:30 12:30 p.m. Lunch in Exhibit Show Area 1:00 2:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 1. Ignition Matrix Mr. Bilancia s work on numerous fire investigations prompted the development of the Ignition Matrix a proprietary analysis technique for organizing, summarizing, and presenting the results of any fire investigation. The Ignition Matrix has been in use since 2006 and was a key court exhibit

5 in April The jury concluded that the arsonists had intended to commit insurance fraud and denied their claim. The Knox County, Tennessee, sheriff's office uses the Ignition Matrix for all their fire investigations. His presentation will review the trial, and demonstrate the use of Ignition Matrix and examples. Lou Bilancia, P.E. Professional Engineer Synnovation Engineering, Inc. Oak Grove, OR 2. Emerging Trends in Kitchen Fire Investigation Stovetop Fires and the Ignition of Cooking Oils The sizable impact caused by cooking fires warrants investigation from both the public and private sectors. These investigations require the application of fire science in developing hypotheses to identify how the range or stovetop came into contact with a fuel for a sufficient duration to cause ignition. A detailed evaluation of the sequence of events, from the heating equipment used to the time involved, can provide valuable information towards identifying accidental cooking fires or debunking false witness statements. This class will focus on the impact of several variables in stovetop fires and the ignition of cooking oils. Several well documented test burns will be presented to demonstrate these effects. The collected test data as well as actual case studies will be examined to better understand witness statements, timelines and fire dynamics. David Cheers, CFEI Fire Consultant/Field Operations Manager Jack Ward Fire Consultants Jacksonville, Florida Peter Layson Principal staff scientist Application Engineering Group Inc. Atlantic Beach, Florida 3. Vehicle Fire Investigations Keeping Up With Trends This program will cover topics such as NFPA 921, 2011 Edition with what is coming in the 2014 Edition. It will take the student through the process of the Scientific Method of Fire Pattern Analysis, System Recognition, Failure Modes and Protection, Total Burns, Vehicles in Structures, and Hybrids dangers and results. Jeffery T. Morrill, CFI MorrFire Investigations LLC Cartersville GA

6 2:30 3:00 p.m. Break in Exhibit Show Area 3:00 4:30 p.m. Concurrent Sessions 1. Advanced Technologies and New Investigative Techniques for Today s Fire Investigators This presentation reviews current sources of internet based investigative information. Techniques for the collection and assessment of these sources will be discussed. Additionally, emerging technologies will be reviewed for their potential contribution to future investigations. Steve Patton, CISSP IT Security Architect Liberty Mutual Portsmouth, NH 2. Emerging Trends in Kitchen Fire Investigation (Continued) Stovetop Fires and the Ignition of Cooking Oils The sizable impact caused by cooking fires warrants investigation from both the public and private sectors. These investigations require the application of fire science in developing hypotheses to identify how the range or stovetop came into contact with a fuel for a sufficient duration to cause ignition. A detailed evaluation of the sequence of events, from the heating equipment used to the time involved, can provide valuable information towards identifying accidental cooking fires or debunking false witness statements. This class will focus on the impact of several variables in stovetop fires and the ignition of cooking oils. Several well documented test burns will be presented to demonstrate these effects. The collected test data as well as actual case studies will be examined to better understand witness statements, timelines and fire dynamics. David Cheers, CFEI Fire Consultant/Field Operations Manager Jack Ward Fire Consultants Jacksonville, Florida Peter Layson Principal staff scientist Application Engineering Group Inc. Atlantic Beach, Florida 3. Vehicle Fire Investigations Keeping Up With Trends (Repeated) This program will cover topics such as NFPA 921, 2011 Edition with what is coming in the 2014 Edition. It will take the student through the process of the Scientific Method of Fire Pattern Analysis, System Recognition, Failure Modes and Protection, Total Burns, Vehicles in Structures, and

7 Hybrids dangers and results. Jeffery T. Morrill, CFI MorrFire Investigations LLC Cartersville GA Wednesday, February 27, :00 8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Show Area 8:00 a.m. Noon Registration Desk Open 8:00 9:00 a.m. General Session Impact of Building Construction Materials on Fire Development The fire and electrical safety requirements for construction materials and building contents have been defined and updated in building codes for decades. These requirements are driven by fire incidents and ongoing research on materials and construction assemblies. The evaluation building systems provides greater insight than testing products or individual materials and ensures that accurate and realistic assessments are achieved. Material substitutions, global, sourcing, reuse/recycling and product redesign driven by economics or customer preference can raise new concerns about fire safety and performance. This presentation will explore various approaches UL is undertaking to provide new insights into the fire performance of materials, products and systems in the built environment. J. Thomas Chapin, Ph.D. Vice President, Corporate Research Corporate Fellow Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Northbrook, IL 9:00 10:00 a.m. General Session Legal Update This session will focus on new cases and trends throughout the United States. We will discuss the Royal Flush of fire science in the courtroom, examinations under oath; mortgagee issues, the concealment and fraud defense and wild cards in the legal arena Gerald T. Albrecht Partner Butler Pappas Weihmuller Katz Craig LLP Tampa, FL

8 10:00 10:15 a.m. Break in Exhibit Show Area (Exhibit show ends) 10:30 11:45 a.m. General Session Improper Use of Negative Corpus Point / Counterpoint NFPA 921 has become the most important publication on the forensic investigation of a fire s Origin and Cause since it was first released in There have been many sections of the publication which have generated controversy over the years, but the latest edition of NFPA 921 released last year contains what may become the most controversial and hotly-debated section yet written. A new section has been added on the so-called Negative Corpus or Elimination Method for investigating a fire. Long considered a standard methodology in the investigation of a fire (and still considered an acceptable variation of the Scientific Method in many disciplines, including medicine), new Section strongly condemns the use of this methodology and declares it to be unacceptable and inappropriate. But is it really? Do other sections of NFPA 921 itself seem to recognize this as an acceptable approach to fire scene investigation? Do other scientific disciplines employ this approach as an accepted and proper application of the Scientific Method? This promises to be a lively and informative session with a Point/Counterpoint debate on the perspectives from three recognized experts representing the Plaintiff/Policyholder perspective, the Defense/Insurer perspective, and the Forensic Expert perspective. You won t want to miss this one! Guy E. Sandy Burnette, Jr. Guy E. Burnette, Jr. P.A. Tallahassee, FL Joseph P. Toscano, IAAI - CFI Consultant, Fire Investigation & Litigation Support Chilworth Global Ty Tyler Tyler & Hamilton, P.A. Jacksonville, FL 11:45-11:55 p.m. Wrap-up - ICAC Arson Investigation Seminar adjourns

26 th Annual ICAC Fire & Arson Investigation Seminar Orlando, FL

26 th Annual ICAC Fire & Arson Investigation Seminar Orlando, FL Sunday, February 22, 2015 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. ICAC Registration Desk Open Monday, February 23, 2015 8:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. Registration Desk