A fire and arson investigator serving as an expert witness with more than 25 years of experience in fire cause and origin determination, including prior involvement in litigation through consultation, deposition testimony, and courtroom testimony. Their professional background includes over 32 years in fire service and 26 years in fire investigation, with experience in suppression and investigation of accidental and incendiary fires involving structures, vehicles, vegetation, petroleum, and rubbish fires. Current work includes consulting and investigative roles involving case analysis, origin and cause determination, evidence collection, and identification of liability and subrogation potential.

The expert’s investigative practice encompasses multiple fire types and technical domains, including structural, vehicle, wildland, and electrical fires, as well as fatal fire incidents. Their work includes analysis of combustion and flammability, fire chemistry, explosives and post-blast investigation, and identification of arson indicators such as arson-for-profit and juvenile fire-setting activity. Additional areas include evaluation of fire suppression systems and related equipment, including portable fire extinguishers, halon and carbon dioxide systems, smoke detectors, emergency lighting, and standpipe and sprinkler systems. These areas are applied in determining ignition sources, fire development, and contributing factors relevant to liability and subrogation considerations.

Their background includes leadership and operational roles within municipal fire departments, including Fire Marshal, Fire Division Chief, and Fire Captain positions, as well as participation in a federal arson task force. The expert has led more than 3,000 fire investigations and participated in suppression activities involving over 1,700 fire incidents across a range of fire scenarios. Instructional work includes fire and arson investigation training through programs aligned with California State Fire Marshal coursework, including origin and cause determination, investigative procedures, and preparation for legal proceedings.

The expert holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. They maintain licensure as a private investigator. Professional certifications include Certified Fire Investigator through the California Conference of Arson Investigators, International Association of Arson Investigators, and National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications; Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator through the National Association of Fire Investigators; Certified Motor Vehicle Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators; and Certified Fire Investigation Instructor through the National Association of Fire Investigators and International Association of Arson Investigators. Additional credentials include Executive Chief Fire Officer through the California State Fire Marshal and Chief Fire Officer through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. Their professional involvement includes participation with the California Conference of Arson Investigators, International Association of Arson Investigators, National Association of Fire Investigators, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and National Association of Legal Investigators, reflecting engagement with fire investigation standards, including NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033, in both investigative and instructional contexts.