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Jim has extensive knowledge and experience in:
- All aspects of fire and explosion scene examination
- Fatal incidents
- Interpretation of thermal injury distribution (victims & suspects)
- Electrical systems and causes of fire
- Gas and vapour explosions
- Assessment and interpretation of documentary and photographic evidence
- Process and equipment failures
- Laboratory testing and analysis of all types of fire-related evidence
- Computer modelling and visualisation techniques
- Relevant legislation
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Jim is one of the few fire investigation specialists around the world to have made a detailed study of the way in which the location and type of burns and other thermal damage to clothing, skin and hair can help determine an event sequence. Such effects range from gross burning to microscopic melting of fibres and can reveal a great deal of information about the location, orientation, movements and activities of the person at the time of ignition and during the fire. Using these methods, Jim has successfully determined whether fatalities were the result of accident, suicide or murder and connected individuals with incidents of arson. |
Other areas of interest include:
- Health and safety requirements for investigators
- Improving fire engineering knowledge of forensic scientists
- Training of police, crime scene, fire service and forensic science personnel in fire investigation
- Quality assurance systems
- Development of professional accreditation and registration schemes - he represented the Forensic Science Service (England & Wales) on occupational standard development working parties, has continuing involvement on Arson Control Forum working group and with the Forensic Science Society, Institution of Fire Engineers Special Interest Group and Council for Registration of Forensic Practitioners (CRFP) in this area and has collaborated with Charles Sturt University in the development of a new Graduate Diploma programme.
 
Jim is a sought-after speaker and writer on fire investigation matters. He has been a regular instructor on Gardiner Associates theory and practical training programmes. Also a frequent lecturer on other police, fire service and forensic science training courses and at meetings of Forensic Science Society and Institution of Fire Engineers. Often invited to address professional bodies worldwide, he has been a speaker at:
- FBI arson symposium (USA) 1995
- New South Wales Association of Fire Investigators conferences 1996 & 99
- CFPA (France) symposium 1997
- UK Anglo-American conferences 1997, 98 ,99, 2001 & 02
- Queensland AFI 2002
And is a visiting lecturer at University of Leeds Fire Safety Engineering courses and a contributor to programmes of Charles Sturt University (NSW).
- Author of "Safety at Scenes of Fire and Related Incidents" (pub. Fire Protection Association, 1994).
- Co-author (with F.A.S. Lewis) of "The Investigation of Vehicle Fires" (pub. Fire Protection Association, 1990).
- Contributor to "Kirk's Fire Investigation", 4th & 5th Editions, by Dr J. DeHaan (pub. Wiley, 1997 & 2002), FM Global Pocket Guide to Fire & Arson Investigation (UK edition pub. FM Global Insurance, 2000), Disaster & Emergency Management Handbook (pub. Butterworth Tolley - 2003).
For further details of our company and range of services, read on or e-mail us.
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