SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
Vehicle and Structural Fire Investigations - Point of Origin and Fire Cause
Diesel Truck, Generator and Heavy Equipment Engine Failures
Railway Operational Failures
Forensic Imaging
Automotive and Motorcycle Failures
Assessment of Motorcycle Dynamics
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
- The Apprenticeship and Tradesman Qualification Act – Automotive Technician, 1985
- Locomotive Engineer – Canadian National Technical Training Institute, 1984
- Pending - B.Sc. (Fire Science) University of Cincinnati
Additional Courses
- Advanced Fire, Arson and Explosion Training (NAFI), Recertified 2008
- National Seminar on Fire Analysis Litigation, (NAFI), Sarasota, FL, August 2008
- Computer Fire Modeling, (NAFI), Sarasota, FL, August 2008
- Fire Chemistry/Burn Patterns/Origin and Cause Determination, Ontario CAFI Seminar, June 2008
- International Symposium on Fire Investigation, Cincinnati, OH, June 2008
- Propane and Natural Gas Explosions, Ontario CAFI Seminar, November, 2007
- Electrical Fire Investigation, Dr. V. Babrauskas, Saskatchewan Fire Marshal, October 2007
- Fire Pattern Certification, Public Agency Training Council, Las Vegas NV, August 2007
- Electrical Power Distribution System Fires, Ontario CAFI Seminar, April 2007
- Scientific Fire Analysis, John Lentini, Regina, Saskatchewan, November 2006
- Investigation of Motor Vehicle Fires, IAAI CFITrainer, September 26, 2007
- Investigation of Electrical and Appliance Related Fires, IAAI CFITrainer, July 2006
- International Symposium on Fire Investigation, Cincinnati, OH, June 2006
- Golden Engineering X-ray Training Seminar, Centerville IN, May 2006
- Investigation of Gas and Electric Appliance Fires, Fire Findings, Benton Harbour MI, May 2006
- The Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigation, IAAI CFITrainer, November 2005
- Vehicle Fire, Arson and Explosion Training, (NAFI), Eastern Kentucky University, 2005
- Advanced Fire, Arson and Explosion Training (NAFI), Toronto, ON. (1998 – Recertified 2003)
- OPP Explosion Recognition and Reconstruction Training, Aurora, ON, 2002
- Toronto Police Forensic Identification – Water-Related Death Investigator, 2001
- Dive Rescue International – Underwater Investigations, Toronto, ON, November, 2002
- ATI – Transport Canada – Private Pilot Ground School
- Office of the District Attorney – Cumberland County PA – Underwater Criminal Investigations, 2001
- Office of the District Attorney – Cumberland County PA – Forensic Arson Identification, 2001
- Residential Electricity for Fire Investigators, May 2009
EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND
Giffin Koerth Inc.
Smart Forensics
Senior Forensic Investigator & Principal
December 2005 – Present, Toronto
Senior Forensic Investigator, specializing in:
- Fire and Explosion Investigations involving structures and vehicles
- Failure Investigations involving heavy equipment, cars, trucks, trains and motorcycles
- Investigation of railway incidents
- Forensic Imaging and Restoration
- Spectrum Media Works
- Forensic Imaging Principal
1999 – 2005, Toronto
Forensic Imaging Principal, specializing in:
Fire and Explosion documentation employing still and videographic methods
Remote control and hostile environment techniques
Underwater videographic recording
X-ray and infra-red imaging
Canadian National Railways
Locomotive Engineer
1979 – 2000, Toronto
Locomotive Engineer specialized in:
Engineer Instructor
Trained and qualified on all railroad operating rules, safety rules
Worked as a locomotive Engineer handling heavy tonnage road freight trains
Worked as an Engineer Instructor with high-speed passenger and commuter trains
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES / ASSOCIATIONS
Associations
- Technical Services Standards Association (TSSA) Advisory Board Member-Risk Reduction
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Fire Safety Review Committee
- Regional Director, Canadian Association of Fire Investigators (CAFI)
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
- Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI)
- Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII)
- Canadian Certified Fire Investigator (CCFI)
- Evidence Photographers International Council (EPIC)
- Certified Underwater Criminal Investigator (PDIC)
- Canadian Association of Fire Investigators (CAFI)
- National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)
PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Speaking Engagements
- Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association, Fire Scene Safety, February 2008
- Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association, Digital Photography, February 2007
- International Association of Insurance Adjusters – Underwater Fraud Determination
- Numerous CFEI training seminars – NFPA 921 section 15.2 Forensic Imaging
- OPP Forensic Identification Training (Ident), Video Operations and Manipulation 2004
Papers
- “Digital Demystified”, An introduction to the technical operations of digital cameras used in forensic photography. Written for WP magazine, an Insurance Industry journal
- “When Lightning Strikes”, A technical insight into the circumstances surrounding lightning strikes on sailboats at sea. Published in print for the Hunter Sailing Association and delivered worldwide on the Internet
Court & Other Appearances
- Qualified as an expert witness in Fire Investigation in the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal (ORHT)
