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Welcome to the Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast, where we dive deep into the fascinating world of origin and cause investigations. Join hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens, experienced fire investigators, as they discuss all things fire investigation from the latest techniques, case studies, and challenges faced by professionals in this critical field. Through a community effort, this podcast aims to create a platform for investigators to learn from one another and grow together. Whether you're a seasoned investigator, a first responder, or simply curious about the science behind fire investigations, this bi-weekly podcast will provide valuable insights, expert interviews, and practical tips to enhance your knowledge and skills. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in fire investigation and join the conversation.
53 Episodes
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Send a text Recorded live at the California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI), this episode features Fire Investigator and researcher Keith Parker for a wide-ranging (and very real) conversation about what it looks like to apply the scientific method in fire investigation—especially when the ignition source is gone and the pressure to “have an answer” is high. We dig into affirmative evidence vs. negative corpus, why timelines can be some of the strongest support for (or against) ...
Send a text In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens are joined by Fire Investigators Bill Strohm and Oliver Gillespie to explain how their fire investigation unit operates and why their structure leads to strong case outcomes. They break down the roles of shift investigators, who handle origin and cause, evidence collection, and witness interviews at active scenes, and day-shift investigators, who manage follow-ups, warrants, law enforcement coordination, and case preparation for pro...
Send a text In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with returning guest Attorney Lauren Guber for a real-world conversation on how fire investigations hold up when the stakes are high—especially in court. The episode kicks off with a sharp comparison between the U.S. approach to fire investigation standards and the UK’s “Code of Practice” concept, which reads more like “you shall” than “you should.” From there, Lauren breaks down what attorneys actually lean on when challen...
Send a text In this milestone 50th episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive into Chapter 5: Basic Fire Science from the 2024 edition of NFPA 921. This episode breaks down foundational fire science concepts that investigators are frequently challenged on in court—covering the definition of fire, energy vs. power, heat flux, modes of heat transfer, minimum ignition energy (MIE), flammable limits, and suppression effects. Scott and Chasity explain how misunderstandings of fire dynamic...
Send a text Season 3 kicks off with a timely and critical conversation on site safety assessments and why they are more than just a procedural checkbox—they’re a fundamental part of the fire investigation process. Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens open the new year by reflecting on recent cases, near-misses, and real-world examples that highlight how quickly an investigation can become dangerous when scene hazards aren’t properly assessed, mitigated, and documented. From energized electrical sy...
Send a text This episode is basically a training recap and a reality check for anyone trying to level up in origin and cause—especially in motor vehicle fires and evidence handling. Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens kick things off by talking about hosting multiple IAAI classes in Orange County, including the newer Evidence Collection course and the Evidence Collection Technician (ECT) practicum, with real talk about what surprised them, what they wish the class showed more clearly, and why “ve...
Send a text In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens kick off an exciting new series diving deep into NFPA 921—starting with one of the most critical chapters in the entire guide: Chapter 4, Basic Methodology. This episode blends expert-level fire investigation insight with the podcast’s signature humor, storytelling, and real-world case experience. Scott and Chasity introduce their brand-new segment, “Investigation Interrogation,” where they challenge each other—and the audience—with...
Send a text On this episode, Scott and Chasity go deep into a real commercial structure fire that went all the way to jury trial—and nearly got labeled as “negative corpus” by the defense. They walk through the fire from first alarm to conviction: a midnight manual pull station, sprinklers flowing on stacked cardboard, a lone security guard, multiple small fires at knee height, and no obvious ignition source in the debris. Scott breaks down, step-by-step, how he eliminated every plausible cau...
Send a text In this episode, Chasity and Scott head to Florida to sit down with newly elected Florida Chapter President Joe Pietrafesa and newly elected Vice President Stephen Dollar. Recorded on Disney property during the state conference, this conversation dives into the real-world challenges fire investigators are facing today—from AI-altered photographs and manipulated metadata to the increasing importance of respiratory protection and long-term health monitoring. Joe opens up about how a...
Send a text In this episode, spooky season banter quickly gives way to a masterclass on interviewing for fire investigation: open-ended vs. leading questions, letting witnesses talk without interruption, taking notes without breaking rapport, and using scene walk-throughs to correct memory gaps and build timelines. We unpack subrogation in plain English, why early investigator deployment is value-add, and how to avoid bias from client synopses. Real cases include a mid-slope wildland start cl...
Send a text In this episode Chasity and Scott dig into how real-world investigators apply NFPA 921 on scene and on the stand—focusing on why we qualify conclusions (not quantify them), how to express confidence without the discredited “reasonable degree of scientific certainty,” and practical ways to navigate internal and external pressure during origin-and-cause work. You’ll also hear quick takes on PAPRs in the field (battery life, full-face vs. half-mask), what’s new on the training calend...
Send a text In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens recap a high-energy week teaching “AI for Fire Investigators” with the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators in Peoria—what they changed from earlier classes, why transparent prompting and hands-on tools boosted engagement, and how they’ll evolve live demos next time. They unpack a standout burn-cell scenario where a clean-burn sat feet away from the true area of origin, using it to highlight how d...
Send a text Welcome back to Fire Investigation in Focus! In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive deep into the world of fire patterns, fire effects, and origin determination, bringing both practical field experience and NFPA 921 insights straight to your headphones. We kick things off by introducing Ember Casts—shorter, 10–20 minute mini-episodes designed to drop in between full shows, offering a “little ember of knowledge, big flames of understanding.” These quick hits wi...
Send a text Episode 17 – Fire Investigation in Focus Podcast In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens return to the studio to dive into some of the most important updates shaping the fire investigation field. From the realities of starting a new business in the industry to the growing role of education and advanced certifications, Scott and Chasity share real experiences and advice that every investigator—new or seasoned—can learn from. They highlight exciting developments such...
Send a text Welcome back! In this episode our hosts return to recording live episodes together! Chasity kicks things off with exciting news about launching her own fire investigation company and shares stories from her incredibly busy first week, including four fires and some impressive networking at joint examinations. She takes us through fascinating cases, from a kitchen fire caused by cloth items accidentally left in a broiler to a massive carport fire involving 20 vehicles that initially...
Send a text Welcome to another exciting live episode from the IAAI-ITC 2025 conference in Atlantic City! Hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens bring you their final live recording from the conference, featuring an incredible interview with renowned fire fatality expert Elayne Pope. If you've ever wondered what happens to the human body during a fire, this episode is essential listening. Elayne Pope, one of the foremost experts in fire fatalities, shares her fascinating journey from art ...
Send a text Live from IAAI-ITC with Fire Investigation Students Molly Morrow and Maggie Fluharty. Scott and Chasity return to in-person recording after their busy 4th of July weekend, diving into an engaging conversation about AI-generated images and Scott's impressive new wildland fire investigation app. The hosts share their experiences identifying fake AI content and discuss the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in media. Scott reveals his exciting project - a custom app ...
Send a text Get ready for a mind-blowing deep dive into the science of spontaneous combustion! Scott and Chastity catch up on their busy schedules, with Scott fresh from teaching at the Fire Investigator Academy in Fresno where students bond over four intensive weeks of training. The hosts discuss recent marine fire investigation training and upcoming wildland classes before diving into the main event. The Doug Byron Interview: Spontaneous Combustion Masterclass The real star of this ep...
Send a text In this compelling episode, host Chasity Owens delivers a solo intro while Scott Kuhlman attends Marine Fire Investigation training through IAAI. This special episode features inspiring stories from Guatemala and engaging conversations with dedicated podcast listeners, showcasing the global reach and impact of fire investigation. Key Highlights Breaking Ground in Guatemala: Gretel's remarkable story of becoming Guatemala's first and only certified fire investigator after starting ...
Send a text In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens deliver another compelling installment from the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) training conference. Recording remotely while Scott teaches at the Fire Investigator Academy in Fresno, the duo presents an illuminating conversation with Rick and Cassandra Jones, two passionate advocates for fire investigation certification and training excellence. Rick Jones shares his journey from law enforcement canine ...
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