Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast

S.2 Ep.19- Passing the Torch: Past President Tim Morris Jr. & President Brad Pierson on Leading Illinois IAAI

Send us a textIn this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens recap a high-energy week teaching “AI for Fire Investigators” with the Illinois Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators in Peoria—what they changed from earlier classes, why transparent prompting and hands-on tools boosted engagement, and how they’ll evolve live demos next time. They unpack a standout burn-cell scenario where a clean-burn sat feet away from the true area of origin, using it to highlight how depth of char and calcination indicate relative heat exposure—not burn time—and why you must articulate origin before cause to survive depositions. Listener mail digs into IAAI Fundamentals vs. the National Fire Academy (NFA) two-week course, plus a candid look at public–private teamwork done right in Illinois. You’ll also hear quick hits on PPE (CleanSpace PAPR), a fall training roundup, and a teaser for the next Ember Cast on Project Fire Buddies. If you’re building your skills—NFPA 921 patterns, ventilation effects, report writing, and AI workflows—this one’s packed with practical takeaways without spoiling the stories.Illinois Chapter IAAI: https://il-iaai.comWTF: Upcoming trainings mentionedCCAI Annual (CA): Oct 6–9;  arson.orgWest Virginia IAAI: Oct 13–14Arkansas IAAI: Oct 14–16Alabama IAAI (Orange Beach): Oct 27–29Florida IAAI ATC: Nov 3–6 (Scott & Chasity teaching AI)ITL - CleanSpace Distributor- Tim Costa; tim.costa@itl.usThank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, give us 5 stars, hit the follow button, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you are listening in from. Follow us on social media!Instagram: @infocus_podcastLinkedIn: INFOCUS podcastFacebook: INFOCUS podcastTikTok: @infocus_podcast

S.2 Ep.18- Breaking down Fire Patterns with Case Studies.

Send us a textWelcome back to Fire Investigation in Focus! In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive deep into the world of fire patterns, fire effects, and origin determination, bringing both practical field experience and NFPA 921 insights straight to your headphones.We kick things off by introducing Ember Casts—shorter, 10–20 minute mini-episodes designed to drop in between full shows, offering a “little ember of knowledge, big flames of understanding.” These quick hits will cover focused topics, case takeaways, and emerging tools, giving fire investigators the edge to stay sharp between major episodes.From there, Scott and Chasity break down the different types of fire patterns you’ll encounter in the field: hot gas layer effects, plume-generated patterns, ventilation-driven patterns, suppression artifacts, and even undetermined or misleading fire patterns. Through real-world case studies—including residential and fatal fires—they explain how to distinguish between cause and effect, avoid common misinterpretations, and build reports that stand up to scrutiny in deposition or trial.Listeners will hear about the importance of report writing language (first vs. third person), how forensic science terminology is evolving in NFPA 921 (2024 edition), and why tools like heat and flame vector analysis are crucial for sequencing and communicating your findings clearly. Scott and Chasity also share stories from training burns, suppression pattern recognition, and investigative “aha moments” that highlight the skillset fire investigators acquire over time.The episode also touches on investigator mindset, reminding professionals to show grace when explaining findings to attorneys, homeowners, or jurors who don’t see fire scenes every day. Plus, there’s a look ahead at upcoming fire investigation trainings and conferences, including Illinois, Nebraska, North Dakota, Nevada, and CCAI events, as well as a Spanish-language FIG Global webinar.Whether you’re a new fire investigator hungry for knowledge or a seasoned professional looking for a refresher on NFPA 921 fire patterns, origin determination, and scientific method application, this episode is packed with practical insights, case examples, and professional takeaways to strengthen your investigative toolbox.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, give us 5 stars, hit the follow button, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you are listening in from. Follow us on social media!Instagram: @infocus_podcastLinkedIn: INFOCUS podcastFacebook: INFOCUS podcastTikTok: @infocus_podcast

EmberCast 1 - Mapping the Future of Wildland Fire Investigation ft. Founder & CEO of EchoSpectra, Jesse Sprague

Send us a textWelcome to the very first EmberCast, a new short-form addition to the Fire Investigation INFOCUS Podcast. These mini-episodes are designed to spark curiosity and deliver timely insights in between our full episodes. In this kickoff EmberCast, Chasity and Scott are joined by Jesse Sprague, founder of Echo Spectra, to talk about an innovative new tool for wildfire investigation. Jesse shares how his background in geology, computer science, and mapping led him to develop a free mobile app that allows investigators to document wildfire origin and cause scenes with precision. Built to align with the PMS 412 guidelines, the app enables users to capture directional indicators, tie them directly to photos and metadata, and export results into formats like Google Earth—complete with styled arrows, orientation, and photo logs.Throughout the conversation, Jesse explains the app’s capabilities, from tracking advancing, lateral, and backing indicators, to overlaying wind vectors, lightning strike data, and land ownership information. He also shares upcoming features like polygons, boundary mapping, and turkey tracks to enhance scene documentation. Scott and Chasity highlight the value this tool brings to investigators at all levels—whether new to the field or seasoned experts—by consolidating critical data into one intuitive platform. With Echo Spectra’s blend of technology and fire science, investigators now have a powerful, accessible way to streamline their work and elevate their reporting.This episode is a must-listen for anyone working in fire investigation, wildland fire response, or legal teams supporting fire cases. And the best part? The Echo Spectra app is completely free to download, making it an incredible resource for the community.Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, give us 5 stars, hit the follow button, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you are listening in from. Follow us on social media!Instagram: @infocus_podcastLinkedIn: INFOCUS podcastFacebook: INFOCUS podcastTikTok: @infocus_podcast

S.2 Ep.17- NFPA 921 & 1033 Upcoming Updates: What Investigators Need to Know for 2027

Send us a textEpisode 17 – Fire Investigation in Focus Podcast In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens return to the studio to dive into some of the most important updates shaping the fire investigation field. From the realities of starting a new business in the industry to the growing role of education and advanced certifications, Scott and Chasity share real experiences and advice that every investigator—new or seasoned—can learn from. They highlight exciting developments such as the launch of FIG Global’s Forensic Science Center in Mexico, upcoming changes to NFPA 921 and NFPA 1033 (2027 editions), and what those revisions mean for investigators moving forward—especially regarding wildland fire investigations, digital evidence, and AI in reporting. You’ll also hear insights on practical training opportunities, upcoming conferences, and why passion and process are key to credibility in the courtroom.Whether you’re building your career, brushing up on standards, or just love geeking out on fire dynamics, this episode will keep you informed, inspired, and connected to the future of fire investigation.Upcoming Fire Investigation Trainings & Conferences:Nebraska Annual Fire & Arson Conference 📍 Nebraska | 🗓️ September 16–18, 2025North Dakota Chapter Training Conference 📍 North Dakota | 🗓️ September 24–26, 2025California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI) Training Conference 📍 San Luis Obispo, CA | 🗓️ October 6–9, 2025Nevada Chapter – Building Codes & Fire Investigation 📍 Reno Fire Station 11 | 🗓️ September 18, 2025 | ⏰ 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Instructor: Keith Eth | Lunch providedFIG Global (Spanish-language webinar) 🗓️ September 10, 2025 | ⏰ 1200 hrs CDMX Topic: Reconstructing the Truth – Impact of Fire Forensic LabsThank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, give us 5 stars, hit the follow button, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you are listening in from. Follow us on social media!Instagram: @infocus_podcastLinkedIn: INFOCUS podcastFacebook: INFOCUS podcastTikTok: @infocus_podcast

S.2 Ep.16- Back in The Studio: Catch up with us on Fire Investigation Stories, AI Tools, and Generational Games.

Send us a textWelcome back! In this episode our hosts return to recording live episodes together! Chasity kicks things off with exciting news about launching her own fire investigation company and shares stories from her incredibly busy first week, including four fires and some impressive networking at joint examinations. She takes us through fascinating cases, from a kitchen fire caused by cloth items accidentally left in a broiler to a massive carport fire involving 20 vehicles that initially had witnesses convinced arson was involved - until solid forensic work proved otherwise.Scott shares his own intriguing cases, including a potential spontaneous heating incident from improperly disposed refinishing materials, and discusses the importance of witness interviews after sharing a gripping story about an apartment fire with suspicious Ring camera footage. The hosts dive into the challenges of single-resource investigation work and emphasize the critical balance between forensic evidence and witness statements in determining fire origin.The episode features their signature movie quote game (with mixed results on Chasity's movie knowledge!), valuable insights about approaching experts at conferences, and Scott's mind-blowing demonstration of ChatGPT's new Agent Mode for research tasks. They also highlight upcoming training opportunities across multiple states and remind listeners about their upcoming appearance at the Illinois chapter meeting where they'll be teaching classes and recording a live podcast segment.Throughout the episode, the hosts maintain their trademark blend of technical expertise, practical advice, and genuine enthusiasm for fire investigation, making complex forensic concepts accessible while sharing real-world experiences that showcase both the science and art of their profession. Whether you're a seasoned investigator or just curious about fire investigation, this episode delivers valuable insights wrapped in engaging storytelling.Key Topics Covered:Starting a fire investigation businessKitchen fire safety and broiler storage mistakesLarge-scale carport fire investigation techniquesSpontaneous heating from refinishing materialsWitness interview strategies and timingConference networking and expert consultationAI tools for research and documentationUpcoming training opportunities nationwideFire pattern analysis and undetermined classificationsUpcoming Training Events:North Dakota Annual Training Conference (Sept 24-26)Nebraska Conference in Norfolk (Sept 16)California CCAI Conference in San Luis Obispo (Oct 6-9)Arkansas Fire Prevention Conference (Oct 14-16)Alabama Conference in Orange Beach (Oct 27-29)Illinois Chapter Meeting in Peoria (Sept 15-17) - featuring the hosts!Note: The hosts will be teaching AI classes and conducting a live podcast recording at the Illinois conference - don't miss the chance to meet them in person!Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, give us 5 stars, hit the follow button, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you are listening in from. Follow us on social media!Instagram: @infocus_podcastLinkedIn: INFOCUS podcastFacebook: INFOCUS podcastTikTok: @infocus_podcast