Podcast · Learning

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast

by Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens · English · Learning

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

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 2 min
Latest: 14 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

14 Oct 2026 · 1 hrNew

S.3 Ep.21- What Data Analytics Can Bring to Fire Investigation with Fire Marshal Melinda Rios

Send us Fan Mail Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens recap the California Conference of Arson Investigators’ fall conference, including live demonstrations, electrical training, and the strong turnout. They look ahead to the February conference, which will feature a live Scientific Advisory Work Group presentation and sessions on confirmation bias, fire dynamics, and defense challenges. They also share a short NFPA 921 refresher on the difference between a vapor and a gas. Guest Melinda Rios join...

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S3 · E20 · 30 Sep 2026 · 1 hr
S.3 Ep.20- NFPA 921 Chapter 8 Summary: Active Fire Protection Systems
Send us Fan Mail What can fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and suppression equipment reveal about a fire? In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens explore NFPA 921 (2024), Chapter 8: Active Fire Protection Systems, and how these systems can help investigators reconstruct fire timelines, evaluate fire spread, and test origin and cause hypotheses. They discuss fire alarm event logs, smoke and heat detection, projected beam detectors, linear heat detection, acoustic soot agglomeration, an...
S1 · E5 · 23 Sep 2026 · 12 min
Embercast 5- Smart Outlets at Fire Scenes: Research with Madison Hall and Elias Phipps student and alumni of Eastern Kentucky University
Send us Fan Mail What can a fire investigator learn from the remains of a burned smart outlet? In this short episode, Chasity and Scott speak with Eastern Kentucky University students Madison Hall and Elias Phipps at the 2026 IAAI International Training Conference in St. Louis. They discuss their research on identifying Wi-Fi-enabled smart outlets after a fire and distinguishing their components from those of standard AC adapters. Madison and Elias burned and disassembled devices, then docume...
S3 · E19 · 16 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
S.3 Ep.19- Remembering 9/11, Stories From The Field, & Overdue Fan Mail
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens reflect on the 25th remembrance of September 11, 2001. Chasity shares what she remembers as a first grader in Kentucky, while Scott recalls watching the attacks as an off-duty firefighter and the lasting changes they brought to fire-service security, training, and emergency preparedness. Scott and Chasity also catch up on listener messages from aspiring and working fire investigators. They discuss the importance of continuing e...
S3 · E18 · 2 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
S.3 Ep.18- NFPA 921 Chapter 7 Summary- Building Systems
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens continue their NFPA 921 series with a breakdown of Chapter 7: Building Systems. They discuss how building design, construction methods, materials, concealed spaces, passive fire protection, and structural components can influence fire development, spread, and collapse. The conversation covers balloon-frame and platform-frame construction, lightweight wood trusses, fire barriers, steel protection methods including intumescent co...
S3 · E17 · 19 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
S.3 Ep.17- Snow-Covered Scenes & Unusual Ignition Sequences: Thinking Outside the Box with Investigator Dennis Zigrang
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with Fire Investigator Dennis Zigrang of Fire Cause Analysis of Idaho for a wide-ranging conversation about the realities of fire investigation across different environments, career paths, and investigative challenges. Dennis shares his journey from a 25-year career with the Long Beach Police Department into fire investigation, private-sector work, and eventually owning his own fire investigation company. He discusses ...
S1 · E4 · 12 Aug 2026 · 13 min
Embercast 4- Research on Butane Refrigerators by Eastern Kentucky University Alumni Kaitlyn Cully & Reuben Jasinski
Send us Fan Mail In this short episode, Chasity and Scott sit down with Eastern Kentucky University seniors Reuben Jasinski and Kaitlyn Cully at the IAAI International Training Conference to discuss their fire research involving refrigerators using R-600a butane refrigerant. Their study examined whether fire investigators can distinguish between fires originating inside the refrigerator compressor compartment and fires originating externally based on resulting fire patterns and component dama...
S3 · E16 · 5 Aug 2026 · 38 min
S.3 Ep.16- Transforming Fire Investigation in Brazil: Passion, Standards and Progress
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, recorded live at the IAAI International Training Conference in St. Louis, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with Brazilian fire-safety professionals Colonel Paiva and Rogerio Lin to discuss the transformation of fire investigation in Brazil. Paiva shares how international training, IAAI certifications, NFPA guidance, and his commitment to accurate and thorough investigations helped expand formal fire investigation programs from only a few of Brazil’s 2...
S3 · E15 · 22 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
S.3 Ep.15- The Body Is Evidence: Investigating Fatal Fire Scenes with Dr. Elaine Pope
Send us Fan Mail What can burned human remains reveal about a fatal fire—and what evidence may be permanently lost when a body is moved too soon? Recorded live at the IAAI International Training Conference in St. Louis, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with forensic anthropologist Dr. Elaine Pope to discuss the investigation and recovery of human remains from fatal fire scenes. Dr. Pope explains how forensic anthropology, fire investigation, law enforcement, and medicolegal death inve...
S3 · E14 · 8 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 21 min
S.3 Ep.14- EchoSpectra, A New Era of Wildland Fire Documentation; ft. Jesse Sprague, Phinehas Lampman, & Kathleen Matos
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with Founder Jesse Sprague, Director of Research & Intelligence Phinehas Lampman, and Software Developer and Data Scientist Kathleen Matos from Axon Intelligence to talk about the future of wildland fire investigation, origin and cause documentation, data science, remote sensing, AI, drone imagery, and fire investigation technology. The conversation explores how the new app EchoSpectra is helping investigator...
S3 · E13 · 24 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
S.3 Ep.13- Why Networking Matters & How You Can Help Shape the Next Generation with Fire Investigator Sawyer Garriques
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Scott and Chasity catch up on fan mail, training opportunities, report writing, and the importance of verifying information in the age of AI before turning the mic over to their conversation with Fire Investigator and Student Committee Chair Sawyer Garriques at the 2026 IAAI ITC. Sawyer shares how the IAAI Student Committee is helping bridge the gap between students and the fire investigation profession through mentorship, networking, research opportunities, ...
S3 · E12 · 10 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
S.3 Ep.12- Shaping the Future of Fire Investigation for Employers & Students with Fire Investigator's Adam Holloway & John Hill
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Chasity Owens and Scott Kuhlman are LIVE again at IAAI International Training Conference with a live conversation featuring Fire Investigator and IAAI's 2026 Investigator of the Year Adam Holloway of Genesis Forensics and Fire Investigator John Hill of National Fire Experts. Both Adam and John are Eastern Kentucky University graduates who entered the fire investigation industry from the private sector and now help develop the next generation of investigators ...
S3 · E11 · 27 May 2026 · 58 min
S.3 Ep.11- LIVE from IAAI-ITC with Past President David Bridges & President Devin Palmer
Send us Fan Mail LIVE from the IAAI ITC in St. Louis, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with IAAI Immediate Past President David Bridges and IAAI Current President Devin Palmer for a powerful conversation about leadership, training, mentorship, and the future of the fire investigation profession. David shares how his career evolved from law enforcement and accelerant detection canine work into becoming a technically trained attorney focused on civil fire and explosion litigation. Devin...
S3 · E10 · 13 May 2026 · 51 min
S.3 Ep.10- Minimize Cognitive Bias in Fire Investigation with Fire Investigator Nicole Brewer
Send us Fan Mail LIVE at the International Association of Arson Investigators ITC 2026, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with fire investigator Nicole Brewer for one of the podcast’s most insightful conversations yet. Nicole shares her journey from firefighter to fire investigator, her transition from public to private sector investigations, and how advanced education through Eastern Kentucky University and Oklahoma State University shaped her approach to forensic fire analysis....
S3 · E9 · 29 Apr 2026 · 47 min
S.3 Ep.9- Live from IAAI-ITC with Dr. Greg Gorbett talking Fire Dynamics, Proficiency Testing, and the Future of Fire Investigation
Send us Fan Mail Live from IAAI ITC 2026 in St. Louis, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with Dr. Greg Gorbett to talk fire investigation, research-based tools, and the future of the profession. The conversation covers the U.S. NRC Fire Dynamics Tools spreadsheets, heat release rate calculations, flashover correlations, and how investigators can use empirical data in defensible origin and cause work. Greg also discusses his recent election to the IAAI Board of Directors, the need for a...
S3 · E8 · 15 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 27 min
S.3 Ep.8- "Well Excluuude Me!"- Learning from Real Court Case Scenarios
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens break down real-world court cases where fire investigators were challenged, excluded, or dismantled under legal scrutiny. From Daubert challenges and summary judgment to spoliation of evidence and product liability battles involving companies like Amazon, this episode dives deep into what can make—or break—an expert witness in court. Learn how improper methodology, lack of qualifications, confirmation bias, and failure to...
S3 · E7 · 1 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 14 min
S.3 Ep.7- NFPA 921 Ch.6 Summary Part 2- Fire Patterns; Patterns, Plumes, and Proof
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens continue their deep dive into NFPA 921 Chapter 6 with Part 2: Fire Patterns. The episode blends real-world case studies with foundational fire science, reinforcing how fire investigators interpret patterns, validate origin hypotheses, and apply the scientific method in the field. Listeners are first brought into two compelling case studies: a hybrid vehicle fire with origin traced to the rear hatchback area despite severe...
S3 · E6 · 18 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 13 min
S.3 Ep.6- NFPA 921 Chapter 6 Summary Part 1, Fire Effects; Can You Defend Your Fire Scene Analysis in Deposition?
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens kick off their discussion of NFPA 921 Chapter 6 by breaking down one of the most important foundations in fire investigation: fire effects, and then fire pattens next episode. Using real-world deposition questions and courtroom-style challenges, they show why investigators must be able to clearly explain concepts like fire plume development, truncated cone patterns, U patterns, clean burn, oxidation, calcination, spalling, and ...
S3 · E5 · 4 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 11 min
S.3 Ep.5- Possibility to Probability, Wildland Fire Investigation, & Affirmative Evidence with Fire Investigator Keith Parker
Send us Fan Mail 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 agai...
S3 · E4 · 18 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 7 min
S.3 Ep.4- Building a Successful Fire Investigation Unit: Workflows, Culture, and Results
Send us Fan Mail 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 fo...
S3 · E3 · 4 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
S.3 Ep.3- From the Legal Desk: Certified v. Qualified and Common Attacks on Reports ft. Attorney Lauren Guber
Send us Fan Mail 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 ch...
S3 · E2 · 22 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 16 min
Episode 50!- The Series Continues; Basic Fire Science | NFPA 921 Chapter 5
Send us Fan Mail 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 dy...
S3 · E1 · 7 Jan 2026 · 51 min
S.3 Ep.1- New Year Refresh; Site Safety Assessments
Send us Fan Mail 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 electric...
S1 · E3 · 24 Dec 2025 · 24 min
Embercast 3- Arc vs. Arc Site: Why Words Matter in Fire Investigation ft. Engineer Cameron Novak; Merry Christmas!
Send us Fan Mail In this Christmas Eve Embercast, Chasity and Scott slow things down with a short, informal episode focused on listener feedback, community connection, and the continued growth of the fire investigation profession. Rather than a full-length case discussion, this Ember-style episode highlights messages from investigators around the world—including Australia—and explores meaningful conversations sparked by listener questions, critiques, and ideas. Topics include a listener-reque...
S2 · E25 · 17 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 9 min
S.2 Ep.25- Inside IAAI Training Week: Evidence, Vehicles, and Real Fire Investigator Lessons ft. Chris Ellis, Anabelle Brown, and Elliot Brown
Send us Fan Mail 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 wh...
S2 · E24 · 3 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
S.2 Ep.24- Back to the Basics; NFPA 921 Ch. 4 - Basic Methodology
Send us Fan Mail 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...
S2 · E23 · 19 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
S.2 Ep.23- Negative Corpus vs Process of Elimination; Two Alarms, Three Fires, One Security Guard
Send us Fan Mail 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 plausibl...
S2 · E22 · 7 Nov 2025 · 51 min
S.2 Ep.22 - Protect, Prepare, Participate: The Importance of Safety, Training, & Membership from IAAI Florida Chapter. ft. President Joe Pietrafesa & Vice President Stephen Dollar.
Send us Fan Mail 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 ...
S2 · E21 · 23 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
S.2 Ep.21- Forcing the Narrative During Interviews Can Burn Credibility.
Send us Fan Mail 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 sta...
S2 · E20 · 9 Oct 2025 · 47 min
S.2 Ep.20- Discussing Quantify vs. Qualify, Error Rates, Courtroom Tactics & Training Updates
Send us Fan Mail 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 c...

About Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast is a English learning podcast from Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 2 min
Latest episode: 14 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1739288903

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