With over 80 years of experience, Combustion Resources’ multiple expert witnesses have the capability to handle your fire and explosion cases. We provide analysis of fire and explosion causation, experimental work, accident reconstruction, computerized fire/explosion modeling, pollution control, and deposition/trial testimony. Your case will always be handled with attention to detail and fully documented findings.
Our thorough understanding of combustion fundamentals permits interpretation of evidence to be based on well-proven facts. We utilize a wide network of associates, both in the field of combustion and in general engineering and chemistry, to provide access to additional insights.
Our expert witness team includes:
Dr. L. Douglas Smoot – distinguished professor, Homer H. Lowry Gold Award recipient, international consultant, expert in combustion, accidental fires and explosions, fossil fuels, synthetic fuels, and air pollution
Dr. Craig N. Eatough – experience with coal-water mixture atomization and combustion, furnace and burner design, combustion related process measurements, fossil fuel characteristics, dust and vapor explosions, reduction of nitrogen and sulfur pollutants from fossil fuel and municipal waste combustion, and iron reduction technologies
Dr. Scott C. Hill – extensive combustion modeling experience, developer of comprehensive combustion code, and synthetic fuels expert
Mr. Robert E. Jackson – extensive experience and educational background in combustion, fires, explosions, combustion modeling, aerodynamics, thermodynamics, and gas dynamics
A staff of engineers, chemists, and technicians who are ready to help you solve your problems or meet your investigation and consulting needs.
The unique capabilities of the engineering staff have led to the successful resolution of a wide variety of expert witness cases including:
Building Fires
Service Station Fires
- portable gasoline container ignition
Vehicle Accidents
- car fire origin
Storage Containers
- smokeless powder fire
Fireplace Explosions
Industrial Explosions and Fires
- power plant boiler
- copper smelter
- ammonium perchlorate plant
- brick kiln
- rail car incident
- coal mine
- coke oven damage - power failure
Patent Infringement
- hearth industry
- gas fireplace spectral imaging
- gasification process
Solvent and natural gas fires
Application of combustion modeling
Background
Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:A: PhD Mechanical Engineering
PhD Chemical Engineering
MS Mechanical Engineering
Professional Registered Engineer (PE)
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:
A: AIChE, ASME, NFPA, ASEE, Combustion Institute, NAFI, Sigma Xi
Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:
A: Professor, Cal Tech and BYU
Over a hundred conference papers
Extensive public speaking
Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)
A: never
Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?
A: Forty-one
Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?
A: explosions, fires, combustion, gasification, energy, environment, fossil fuels, coal, patent-infringement
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?
A: 65%
Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?
A: 35%
Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?
A: Seventeen in past two decades
Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?
A: March, 2005
Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?
A: never failed to qualify
Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?
A: Three times
Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?
A: Twenty years
Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)
A: Consulting, modeling, reports, analytical testing, other testing, site inspections, etc.
Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?
A: Available on request - hourly rate same for all functions
Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)
A: travel, telephone, office, testing, etc.
References
Ms. Jessica Rossman, Perkins-Coie, Seattle, WA.Mr. Charles Wilkin III, Doerner Saunders Daniel Anderson, Tulsa, OK
Mr. Neil Abramson, Phelps Dunbar, New Orleans, LA
Mr. Bruce Preston, Broening Oberg Woods Wilson Cass, Phoenix, AZ
