Priority Action Report

Fire and Explosion Investigation

Crime Scene/Death Investigation

Craig Beyler

February 13-14, 2017
Subcommittee Leadership

Position Name Organization Term Email

Chair Craig L.

Beyler

Jensen 

Hughes

cbeyler@jensenhughes.com

Vice Chair Philip E. 

Crombie, Jr.

Travelers 2 pcrombie@travelers.com

Executive 

Secretary

Gregory E. 

Gorbett

University of 

Eastern 

Kentucky

2 greg.gorbett@eku.edu

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Subcommittee Members

# Name Organization Term Email

1 Craig Beyler Jensen Hughes 2 Years cbeyler@jensenhughes.com

2 Phil Crombe Travelers 2 Years pcrombie@travelers.com

3 Greg Gorbett University of Eastern Kentucky 2 Years greg.gorbett@eku.edu

4 Charles "Randy" Watson SEA, Ltd. 1 Years cwatson@sealimited.com

5 John Lentini Scientific Fire Analysis, LLC 1 Years johnlentini@yahoo.com

6 Mark Goodson Goodson Engineering 2 Years mark@goodsonengineering.com

7 Chad Wissinger Ohio Division of State Fire 

Marshal Forensic Lab

2 Years cwissinger@com.state.oh.us

8 David McCollam Federal Bureau of Investigation 1 Years david.mccollam@ic.fbi.gov

9 Melvin Robin Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 

Firearms & Explosives

2 Years MELVIN.ROBIN@ATF.GOV

10 John Golder Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 

Firearms & Explosives

2 Years john.golder@atf.gov

11 Michael Truebenbach Federal Bureau of Investigation 3 Years mike.truebenbach@ic.fbi.gov 

12 Mark Johnson University of Central Florida, 

Dept of Statistics

1 Years Mark.Johnson@ucf.edu

13 Chris Connealy Texas State Fire Marshall 3 Years chris.connealy@tdi.texas.gov

14 David Sheppard ATF Fire Lab 3 Years david.sheppard@atf.gov

15 Steve Campolo Leviton 3 Years scampolo@Leviton.com 

16 Scott Davis Gexcon 3 Years sgdavis@gexcon.com 

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Discipline Description

The OSAC Subcommittee on Fire and 

Explosion Investigation will focus on 

standards and guidelines related to the 

investigation, analyses and interpretation 

of fire and explosion incidents. The 

subcommittee will work closely with OSAC 

Subcommittee on Fire Debris and 

Explosives (Chemistry/Instrumental 

Analysis SAC).

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Rationale: Our discipline deals with fire and explosion investigations 

without initial regard for whether the event is possibly arson. It is 

antithetical to our methodologies to presume any cause of the 

incident. Explosions are a physical phenomenon which parallels fire as 

a phenomenon. Explosives are materials, not processes. Scene was 

dropped from the title because it is unduly restrictive. These 

investigations are not necessarily limited to the scene.
Summary of Priority Projects

Priority OSAC 

Process Working Title of Document

1 Strategic Plan for Fire and Explosion Investigation

2 Proposal to NFPA for Standard for Fire and Explosion 

Investigation Units

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 1 Document

Document Title: Strategic Plan for Fire and Explosion Investigation

Scope: Define the future development of the profession

Objective/rationale: NFPA 921 and 1033 have not been enough

Issues/Concerns: Accreditation, education, research, gatekeeping

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Strategic Plan for Fire and Explosion 

Investigation

Key Components of Standard: 

• 1 Introduction

• 2 Current Structure of the Fire and Explosion Investigation Community 

• 3 The Admission of Fire and Explosion Investigation Evidence in 

Litigation 

• 4 The Principles of Science and Interpreting Scientific Data

• 5 Descriptions of Some Fire and Explosion Investigation Disciplines 

• 6 Improving Methods, Practice, and Performance in Fire and Explosion 

Investigation 

• 7 Strengthening Oversight of Fire and Explosion Investigation Practice 

• 8 Education and Training in Fire and Explosion Investigation 

• 9 DOJ and the Fire and Explosion Investigation Disciplines 

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Priority 2 Document

Document Title: Standard for Fire and Explosion 

Investigation Units

Scope: All aspects of FIU’s

Objective/rationale: NFPA 921, NFPA 1033, and fire investigator 

certification all focus on the investigator. This effort is to provide 

focus on proper operations and oversight by the investigation unit.

Issues/Concerns:

• Proposal is under consideration at NFPA 

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Standards/Guidelines Development

Standard for Fire and Explosion 

Investigation Units

Key Components of Standard: 

• Chapter 1 Administration

• Chapter 2 Referenced Publications

• Chapter 3 Definitions

• Chapter 4 Management System Requirements 

• Chapter 5 Personnel Qualifications

• Chapter 6 Accreditation

• Chapter 7 SOGs for Conducting the Investigation

• Chapter 8 SOGs for Expert Witness Testimony 

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