Fire Investigation Consulting Services

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Fire is a rapid oxidation process that results in an exothermic chemical reaction, producing smoke, heat, and fire damage, which can complicate the task of finding the point of origin. Whether it involves a residential or commercial structure, wildland, vehicle, vessel, or personal property fire, our experts conduct thorough fire cause analysis and evidence examination to pinpoint the ignition source. We examine all other possible ignition sources to determine the source that caused the damage.

To determine a possible fire cause, an evidence examination of appliances, equipment, electrical wiring, and fire debris found near the origin areas is essential. Proper identification and information from these items must be gathered to assess whether a product failure occurred or if there was a manufactured defect, which is crucial for effective fire cause analysis and improving fire protection systems.

Interviewing is an art form, and we can assist our clients in obtaining the truth through structure interviews. Mr. Reisen has mastered the art of reading body language and is skilled at identifying half-truths, missing details and deception.  He is an instructor on the Art of Reading Body Language and has taught hundreds of fire investigators and law enforcement officers. He can analyze written statements to reveal lies and information gaps that most individuals do not see in a written statement or video interview.

Evidence examination is a crucial aspect of all civil litigation fire investigations. We specialize in conducting comprehensive evidence examinations to determine the fire cause or rule out potential causes through meticulous fire cause analysis and failure analysis. As your case management coordinator, we can arrange a joint evidence examination with all relevant parties, manage evidence storage for our clients, and ensure adherence to evidence protocols, all while maintaining a safe environment.

Photographs or videos from a fire scene investigation can tell a story of what, where, when, and sometimes how the incident progressed. These photos can illustrate how smoke, heat, and fire traveled through the structure, highlighting the stages the fire advanced through. In conjunction with evidence examination, analyzing documents, written statements, and deposition transcripts can help establish the timeline of the fire, and the human timeline which may show how victims played a role in the incident.  Our development of these timelines has assisted our clients with successful outcomes.

Legal considerations impact every phase of a fire investigation, including evidence found, how it was collected, preserved and maintained. It is imperative for fire and law enforcement officials not to prejudge a determination of the fire cause because facts of the case and evidence will be ignored. We adhere to the systemic approach and scientific method during our fire investigations and have compelling testimony in depositions and at trials, ultimately leading to successful outcomes for our clients.

As evidence custodians, we collect, secure, preserve, and maintain evidence for our clients.  Evidence is stored in a climate-controlled environment until it is requested for an evidence examination, fire cause analysis or courtroom proceedings.

Fire detection systems, including fire protection, suppression, and alarm systems, play a crucial role in life safety. All devices and systems should undergo evidence examination and be reviewed for compliance to ensure the device worked properly.

If a fire department experiences a serious injury or line-of-duty death to a firefighter, the agency that has experienced the loss shall conduct a LODD Investigation to reduce liability. Mr. Reisen has assisted in conducting SIOD and LODD investigations, and we can assist your department in this vital task. All personal protective equipment (PPE) along with any tools, radio, SCBA and hose lines will need to be photographed, collected, and preserved as evidence for a possible evidence examination to safeguard against future civil litigation. We can serve as your department's evidence custodian, ensuring that all evidence is secured and preserved.