We are excited to announce our newest technology : A 3D scanning process which utilizes LiDAR (light detection and ranging) allows us to take highly detailed scans for scene documentation!!!

For wildland fire investigation, scanning with Lidar provides for a very specific set of benefits that standard photography and measurement cannot afford. Lidar scanning with software stitching (the ability to meld every view into a single image) provides for point to point measurement across all scans with an accuracy on the order of fractions of an inch at 30 feet out from each scan location. Any point scanned can be measured for comparison when considering data for ignition sequences such as evidence location, spark generation, and flame spread. Evidence items and landmarks can be marked with GPS for comparison to Google Earth and other known landmarks for comparison. Due to the geometry of the entirety of a site being captured with Lidar an investigator can test hypotheses of other experts at later times when revisiting the scene is impractical or impossible.

The software is capable of providing output to modeling software such as Fire Dynamic Simulator used to test hypotheses of fire spread. The output from Lidar is often the only reliable method for creating input data for fire modeling software due to the precision of measurements.

The imaging provided by Lidar is valuable when providing, graphic evidence and descriptive testimony to triers of fact. The ability to look at the landscape of interest from any angle (including aerial views) allows for a more complete description of the fire site and prevents having to match ground photography with outdated satellite or aerial imagery. The software can also be used to map physical evidence, map GPS photography, and provide for video fly-by to simply demonstrate the terrain and areas of interest on the fire scene.

Brett Sutherland is kickin’ ASH!! Fire Cause Analysis is extremely proud of Fire Investigator Brett Sutherland’s determination in Southern California.

Brett Sutherland has managed to investigate three arson cases, two in the City of Costa Mesa and one in Newport Beach all in the month of March. In addition, two cases already have suspects in custody while the third case is on its way to catching the suspect. Great job Brett for being a team player with several agencies and cracking these cases!

“What’s Burnin’- Hash Browns, Hash Oil and the Internet of Things.. Dude!” On March 5&6 FCA Chief Officer Ulises Castellon and Claim Manager Juliet Shade of Capital Insurance Group presented at the Combines Claims Conference in Garden Grove, CA

Fire Cause Analysis was extremely honored to have Andy Berasley, Fire Investigator, CFEI, CVFI, IAAI-FIT and John White, Vice President – Engineering Services, CFI, PE, MS, invited to educate the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on Vehicle Fire Investigations in Washington D.C. on December 4, 2018.

Fire Cause Analysis is honored to have been invited to teach a Vehicle Investigation class for the U.S. Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Washington D.C. on December 5, 2018.

The class was taught by Automotive Forensic Specialist, Andy Berasley, and Vice President of Engineering, John White.

Class topics include:
Fundamentals of fire investigation
NFPA 921 methodologies
Vehicle systems
Burn patterns
Component analysis and failure modes
Evidence collection
Building your case
Fire modeling

About the Speakers:

Andy Berasley, CFEI, CVFI, IAAI-FIT; Fire Investigator
Andrew Berasley is a certified fire investigator with the responsibility of managing and conducting vehicle fire investigations for Fire Cause Analysis. His years of experience include owning and operating his own auto repair facilities & collision company where he was directly responsible for mechanical issues on vehicles, trucks and heavy equipment. He currently works with law firms and the insurance industry, providing investigations and additional services in all fire-related disciplines including Fire Testing and Auto Related Mechanical & Electrical Studies. In addition, Mr. Berasley has given deposition and trial testimony in both civil and criminal cases.
Andrew Berasley is also responsible for all aspects of evidence recovery, handling & storage, and documentation of evidence, including supervising collection and evidence chain of possession at FCA’s facilities in Northern & Southern California and Arizona.

John White is a partner at Fire Cause Analysis. He is scientist and engineer specializing in material, ignition, and combustion studies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry and a Master of Science degree in Fire Protection Engineering. John is a licensed Fire Protection Engineer in the states of Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Texas, and Washington. He also is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators. He is an alternate member on the NFPA 130 committee NFPA 130 Fixed Guideway Transit & Passenger Rail Systems and is a member of the NFPA research division and Society of Fire Protection Engineers.

John’s work consists of fire investigation, evaluation of appliances for ignition and fire spread capability, fire initiation and growth studies, fire, and computational fluid dynamic modeling, and evaluation of active and passive fire protection systems. Recently, he has been involved with large‐scale projects and contracts involving light and heavy rail car material fire performance and evaluation of passive fire protection systems for steel structures.

Sept. 13 – CA. Assoc. of Joint Powers Authorities (CAJPA) Fall Conference – Lake Tahoe, Nv. – Dennis Field & Don Perkins participated in a panel discussion on Wildland Fires – The Topic “We Didn’t Start the Fire” – Extinguishing Public Entity Liability after a Fire.

The South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and representatives from Korea Electrical Safety Corporation (KESCO) and Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS) visited Fire Cause Analysis!

The Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy and representatives from Korea Electrical Safety Corporation (KESCO) and Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS) visited Fire Cause Analysis to discuss fire prevention and investigation procedures in the United States. Fire Cause Analysis Vice President John White, a fire protection engineer, led the meeting and was joined by Kirk Staggs, electrical engineer associate, and Steve Virostek, a mechanical engineer.

Fire Investigators, Andy Berasley and KC Hester will be presented “Vehicle Arson Investigations – Don’t Get Burned!” at this years SCFIA “Lunch and Learn.”

SCFIA May 3, 2018 Lunch & Learn
Thursday, May 3, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (Lunch Provided)
Members: $35
Non-Members: $45

Rio Hondo Country Club – 10627 Old River School Rd, Downey CA. 90241

Topic: “Vehicle Arson Investigations – Don’t Get Burned!”

Speaker: Andy Berasley, CFEI, CVFI, IAAI-FIT; Fire Investigator
Andrew Berasley is a certified fire investigator with the responsibility of managing and conducting vehicle fire investigations for Fire Cause Analysis. His years of experience include owning and operating his own auto repair facilities & collision company where he was directly responsible for mechanical issues on vehicles, trucks and heavy equipment. He currently works with law firms and the insurance industry, providing investigations and additional services in all fire-related disciplines including Fire Testing and Auto Related Mechanical & Electrical Studies. In addition, Mr. Berasley has given deposition and trial testimony in both civil and criminal cases.
Andrew Berasley is also responsible for all aspects of evidence recovery, handling & storage, and documentation of evidence, including supervising collection and evidence chain of possession at FCA’s facilities in Northern & Southern California and Arizona.

Speaker: KC Hester, CFI; Fire Investigator
KC Hester has over 15 years of professional experience in the fire service, serving in various capacities. He is a fire investigator with Fire Cause Analysis. He is also a certified forensic fire investigator with National Code Service Association. KC is a member of the Orange County Regional Arson Task Force and a terrorism liaison officer with the Fountain Valley Fire Department. He is an active member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, National Code Service Association, and California Conference of Arson Investigators. Mr. Hester is a California State Fire Marshal’s Office certified level II fire investigator and certified fire officer.
Mr. Hester is qualified to investigate fire scenes and explosions, locate the seat of the explosion or point of origin, determine the cause, and collect and record samples for laboratory analysis. Prepare investigation reports containing cause and origin analysis, witness statements, photographs, diagrams, and video when required, along with any other additional components. Conduct complete background investigations, surveillance, interview witnesses and is capable of giving expert testimony as to the results of these investigations. Conduct hazardous materials investigations of fires, spills, leaks and illegal discharges. A systematic approach using the Scientific Method as outlined in NFPA 921 is utilized when performing fire scene investigations.

***PLEASE SEND IN YOUR RSVP TO Stella Rheinhardt at erheinhardt@semprautilities.com
RSVP MUST BE RECEIVED 3 DAYS BEFORE THE EVENT FOR AN ACCURATE SEATING AND LUNCH COUNT

Ulises Castellon’s presented “Seven Deadly Sins of Adjuster Testimony” at the NAIIA 81st annual Conference in Lake Tahoe, California!

Come and enjoy FCA principle, Ulises Castellon, and Insurance professional, Doug Wood, present “Seven Deadly Sins of Adjuster Testimony” at the National Association Independent Adjusters 81st annual conference!

“This program addresses every insurance professionals nightmare: testifying in a deposition or at trial. Using actual testimony and video, the instructors explain the most common mistakes insurance claim professionals make when testifying, share common lawyer “tricks and traps”, and offer “witness tools” to help the claim professional testify effectively.” – Ulises Castellon

The program will be held at the NAIIA Conference at the Hyatt Regency in Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, CA – July 12th 1 p.m to 2:30 p.m.

We hope to see you there!