This course is both an introduction to and an advanced analysis of vehicle electrical system failures that lead to fire.  Topics include an introduction to DC electricity and advanced battery designs, types of failure modes, and signs to look for when investigating a vehicle electrical fire.

Mr. Greg Barnett is a semi-retired automotive Field Service Engineer and Instructor of Automotive Technology that last worked for BMW/Land Rover Group of North America.

He is a nationally recognized technical and vehicle fire expert with 42+ years of hands-on experience in the automotive, heavy truck, and general equipment industry.  Mr. Barnett has some of the highest automotive certifications in the industry.  He is also listed in the Automotive Hall of Fame as a World Class Technician.  

Mr. Barnett is also the author of two books on vehicle fire:  Automotive Fire Analysis:  An Engineering Approach (Lawyers and Judges Publishing) and Battery Fires:  How & Why They Start (SAE Publishing)

Presenter Daniel Churchward discusses various tactics, and some of the finer points of being a Fire Investigation Expert Witness.

Learn how to successfully defend yourself in a Daubert challenge with insights and courtroom experience gained from many years working together on Fire Investigation cases.  Presenters Michael Hennessy and Steven Gerber combine to explore and explain the daunting subject of Daubert Challenges.

Become a Better Expert Witness.

Take this course to...

- Build confidence in the courtroom and deposition.

- Learn how to effectively prepare for testimony.

- Avoid common mistakes and gain insights to Daubert challenges.  

Learn the nuances of being a polished expert witness from the crafty veteran of forty years in the Fire Investigation industry: Daniel L. Churchward.

Writing a report is so case-specific and individualized that the NFPA 921 authors decided against including the subject.

So we brought in a member of their technical committee to share key insights and learnings from forty years of preparing reports in the industry.

Write better reports. Learn how to prepare, organize and plan your reports from industry veteran: Dan Churchward.

Ron Hopkins draws upon his five decades of industry experience to explore and explain potential safety problems, hazards and health related issues facing the Fire Investigation community.

This guided narrative focuses on the potential health-related impacts stemming from navigating and processing countless post-fire scenes.

Additionally, Ron discusses the recent updates to the 2014 NFPA 921 Safety Chapter, and colorfully explores the revisions over the past three editions.

This course is designed to help you reap the benefit of 50 years of fire scene mistakes, without the inconvenience of having to make them yourselves.

Caution: This course may also help you improve your scene processing techniques, along the way.

A guided tour on the selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment in the post-fire-scene environment.

Examining and evaluating the reliability of evidence used to investigate and prosecute the crime of arson.