Fire Science & Research

The genesis of this piece comes from a trend the authors have observed in three separate but related areas, which the authors believe are converging into a perfect storm for fire investigators. These are: 1) the ongoing movement by courts across the nation to scrutinize more closely the reliability of expert testimony, 2) a growing apprehension about wrongful convictions stemming from faulty forensic evidence and problems in fire investigations, culminating in the revolutionary 2009 report published by the National Academy of Sciences, and; 3) the continuing development of industry standards that are raising the bar for fire investigators. Part I describes each of these forces, and then Part II demonstrates how together they are creating a mounting pressure on fire investigation experts to defend their qualifications and the reliability of their opinions in court, particularly insofar as analyzing the fire scene and interpreting fire patterns is concerned.

Public Law and Legal Theory Research Paper Series Research Paper No. 15-41

Abstract: The application and limitations of fieldportable Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) to fire investigations was the focus of this project. Today's fieldportable GC/MS systems were found to provide lab-quality data for volatile hydrocarbons but the interpretation of that data proved challenging for field operators. On-line access to lab experts is essential. Scene investigators felt that data generated at the fire scene is useful, especially for public agencies who often must wait months before receiving lab results. Scene sampling using SPME has proven problematic due to the over-saturation of the sensitive SPME fibers and their rapid loss of adsorbed compounds. Sampling at ambient temperatures limits the range of identifiable. products. Evidence sampling is enhanced with the use of sensitive PIDs (photoionization detectors) as a supplement to canine searches.

This report provides a survey of the recent literature on flammable mists and pulls together information that will be useful in developing a HAC methodology for explosive mist atmospheres. It focuses on the three fundamental issues: mist flammability, mist generation and mitigation measures.

SP Fire Research is active in research, Fire Safety Engineering, support to national and international legislation, off-shore safety, risk analysis, testing, certification, inspection and so on. This issue contains articles on Battery Systems, Fire testing of materials and Fire Investigation Methodology.

Scale Modeling in Fire Reconstruction NCJ Number 250920 Author(s) J. G. Quintiere, Allison C. Carey, Lenwood Reeves, Lee K. McCarthy Date Published January 2017 Length 160 pages

Spontaneous Ignition in Fire Investigation NCJ Number 239046 Author(s) James G. Quintiere; Justin T. Warden; Stephen M. Tamburello; Thomas E. Minnich Date Published April 2012 Length 69 pages