Solving Fire and Arson Investigations Workshop

This multi-media session touches briefly on the extent and costs associated with fire and arson to communities and to the Property Insurance Industry nationwide. We will briefly examine the major factors which contribute to the historic poor performance of public and private sector fire investigations and then focus our time learning the keys to consistent success in this specialized field.

The class makes extensive use of NFPA 921 and other reference materials.

Depending on the amount of time available, we may use the interFIRE VR program to help demonstrate proper use of the investigation protocol in a life-like fire investigation.
People who attend this session will learn:

•  The twelve “Solvability Factors” of excellent investigation
•  The value of the “Team Approach” with fire losses
•  A proven protocol method for investigation of both unintentional and intentionally set fires to achieve much better results
•  Tips for selection of real expert witnesses in this specialized field
•  Rules for avoiding evidence spoliation
•  Suggestions for working successfully and legally with public safety/insurance investigators.

Hot on the Trail: Accelerant Pattern Recognition and Expert Evidence Sampling Techniques Workshop

This multi-media session draws heavily from experience gained as an Accelerant Detection Canine Handler where I began to notice and document distinctive fire damage patterns at the sites where the AK-9 was locating ignitable liquid residues. Material in the workshop is also drawn from the Pocket Guide to Accelerant Evidence Collection and NFPA 921 Guide to Fire and Explosion Investigation .

Using a combination of 70 slides of fire patterns associated with use of ignitable liquid as a fire accelerant, arson case studies and before and after video of fire scenes the student will be familiarized with “arson” fire patterns and the circumstantial situations that often accompany arson fires.

We will cover the most effective techniques and tools available to sample arson debris for residue of ignitable liquid residue. The objective of the workshop is for the student to improve his/her evidence recovery performance at arson scenes.

Robert Corry is among the most sought after fire investigation seminar speakers in the country today. He has spoken before the following groups:

Insurance Committee for Arson Control Annual Conference, San Antonio, Texas
Solving Fire and Arson Cases; Selection of Expert Witnesses; Hot on the Trail: Identification of Fire Patterns Associated with Arson and Expert Sampling Techniques.

Missouri Chapter International Association of Arson Investigator Annual Conference, Lake of the Ozarks, MO
Solving Fire and Arson Investigations & Hot on the Trail: Identification of Fire Patterns Associated with Arson and Expert Sampling Techniques.

Wisconsin Chapter International Association of Arson Investigators Annual Conference, Stevens Point, WI
Hot on the Trail: Identification of Fire Patterns Associated with Arson and Expert Sampling Techniques.

International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU) New England Regional Conference, Marlborough, MA
Solving Fire and Arson Cases

Cincinnati Insurance Group “President's Club” Annual Conference, San Francisco, CA
Solving Fire and Arson Cases

New England Fire Marshal's Association Annual Conference, Westport Point, MA
Solving Fire and Arson Cases

Florida State Arson Investigation Conference, Orlando, FL
Solving Fire and Arson Cases using interFIRE VR (Keynote speaker)

Maryland/D.C. Chapter International Association of Arson Investigators, Ocean City, MD
Solving Fire and Arson Cases using interFIRE VR & Hot on the Trail: Identification of Fire Patterns Associated with Arson and Expert Sampling Techniques.

Hawaii Chapter International Association of Arson Investigators, Honolulu, HI
Solving Fire and Arson Cases using interFIRE VR & Hot on the Trail: Identification of Fire Patterns Associated with Arson and Expert Sampling Techniques.

Connecticut Fire Marshal's Conference, University of New Haven
“Advanced Fire Investigation” & “InterFIRE VR Case Study”

Minnesota IAAI Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota
“Solving Fire and Arson Cases” & “Accelerant Pattern Recognition and Evidence Collection Techniques”

Wyoming IAAI Conference, Casper, Wyoming
“Solving Fire & Arson Investigations”

MABAS Division 10 Fire Investigation Team – Spring Conference, Chicago, Illinois
“Accelerant Pattern Recognition and Evidence Collection”

Iowa IAAI Conference, Waterloo, Iowa
“Solving Fire & Arson Cases” & “Recognition of Accelerant Patterns and Evidence Collection Techniques (practical exercise)”

He has been an instructor for public safety organizations and for the property insurance industry in fire/arson investigation, interview & interrogation and criminal investigation programs at the FBI National Academy, ATF AK-9 Re-Certification Programs, the National Fire Academy and in approximately 30 U.S. states, Canada, England, Australia, and Central America.

Click here for more information on Robert Corry’s background as a certified fire investigator.