Fire Origin and Cause Investigator with more than 30 years of national experience retained in complex, large-loss, and litigation-driven fire investigations throughout the United States. Engagements have involved commercial, residential, institutional, and hospitality properties, including multi-million-dollar losses, fatal fires, suspected incendiary fires, and alleged product-related failures resulting in injury or death.
Recognized for leadership in large-loss fire scene management, including coordination of multi-party joint examinations, preservation of critical evidence, and early identification of spoliation issues. Investigations are conducted in accordance with NFPA 921 and accepted forensic methodologies, with emphasis on defensible origin-and-cause determinations under litigation scrutiny.
Extensive experience working directly with attorneys, insurers, engineers, and manufacturers in high-exposure matters involving subrogation, product liability, arson allegations, and catastrophic property loss. Responsibilities include scene examination, evidence documentation, technical analysis, witness interviews, and development of expert opinions for use in deposition and trial.
Representative investigations include a historic lodge and resort fire in upstate New York involving complex structural fire spread, fireplace and chimney-related fires, concealed fire propagation in balloon-frame construction, a fatal arson-homicide investigation in southern Minnesota, and significant commercial property losses involving disputed origin and causation. Experience also includes evaluation of alleged product failures resulting in fatal fire events.
Areas of specialization include intentional fire analysis, concealed and legacy construction fire spread, structural ignition mechanisms, fireplace and chimney system failures, timeline reconstruction, and critical evaluation of inconsistencies between reported fire development and physical fire evidence.
Regularly retained as lead investigator in large-loss fire investigations involving damages exceeding $30 million and other complex fire matters. Experience includes comprehensive case file review, rebuttal analysis, depositions, and courtroom expert witness testimony. Has represented major industrial risk insurance carriers as well as single-family residential insurers, with experience on both property and liability matters. Recognized for delivering technically complex fire investigation findings in a clear, precise, and defensible manner to attorneys, insurers, judges, and juries.