Our Services
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Every fire or explosion is a completely unique situation with its own story, characteristics, and complexities. Putting all the facts together is like completing a jigsaw puzzle without knowing what the picture looks like. Our qualified experts in fire forensics have the vision and knowledge to put all the pieces together and come up with an accurate picture of the origin and cause of the incident.
Forensic Fire Investigation Services
All investigations are based on a systematic approach and a deep understanding of fire science. Every case involves the careful analysis and proper documentation of physical evidence from the scene, followed by thorough and timely written investigative reports.
Types of Investigations
- Residential, commercial and industrial fire and explosions
- Vehicle and heavy equipment fire and explosions:
- Private passenger vehicles, tractor-trailers, forestry equipment, commercial passenger vehicles, marine, agriculture, construction and industrial equipment
- Incident investigation and documentation
- Fire propagation analysis
- Fire investigation litigation
- Canine accelerant detection
- Natural gas, propane and methane appliance investigations
- Electrical appliance investigations
K9 Unit
We use trained detection dogs, each trained with specific expertise. Fifty percent of a dog’s training relies on the nature of that individual dog. Temperament, environmental focus, and high-hunt drive are tested by our K9 investigator from 10 months to a year old to determine if the dog will be successful at detection.
Accelerant detection: The number of odours the dog can indicate on can be as many as 20 different accelerants, deriving from primary odours. The dog enters into a fire scene and can detect the presence of specific ignitable liquids used. The primary odours include gasoline, diesel fuel, paint thinner, kerosene, lamp oil, lighter fluid, and varsol.
Explosives detection: Five explosive materials the dog can indicate on include TNT, PETN, RDX, chlorates, and nitrates.
Services co-ordinated Through Preferred Partners
- Expert witness/litigation support
- Damage assessments
- Scope of immediate structural safety measures
- Preparation of engineering reports
- Preparation of engineering drawings for repair or reconstruction
- Building code reviews
- Building envelope assessments
- Scope of structural repair
- Building permit applications
- Conservation Authority work permit applications
- General field review during construction
- Hazardous Building Materials Assessments*
- HVAC designs*
- Property surveys and grading plans*
- Septic system designs*
- Fire
- Explosion
- Construction Ground Vibration
- Wind
- Snow & Ice
- Tree Impacts
- Vehicle Impacts
- Lightning Strikes
- Construction Defects
- Foundation Issues
- Building Envelope/Enclosure
- Water Damage
- Structural Collapse
- Failure Investigation
- Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Institutional
- Agricultural / Farm
- Recreational
- Cranes
- Pedestrian Bridges
- Retaining Walls
- Signs
- Silos
- Storage Racks
- Swimming Pools
- Utility Poles
Experts in this field
Michael Owens
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Mazen Habash
President and Consulting Forensic Engineer
Richard Kooren
Consultant
Kelly Doyle
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Vladimir Chlistovsky
Forensic Engineer and GTA Operations Manager
Jimmy Fata
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Sid Murray
Canine Expert Trainer
Peter Hamilton
Fire & Explosion Investigator and Atlantic Canada Manager
Gary Jarrett
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Neil Ralston
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Cody Zebedee
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Keith B. Ellwood
Fire & Explosion Investigator
William “Bill” Hiscott
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Chris K. Panasiewicz
Consulting Forensic Engineer
Ryan Dobson
Vice President Western Canada and Forensic Investigator
Mark Mason
Fire Investigator and HVAC/Fuels Specialist
Mike Goldberg
Fire Investigator and HVAC/Fuels Specialist
Said Ismail
Operations Manager – Ancaster, Electrical Forensic Engineer and Fire Investigator
Kevin Abbott
Fire Investigator and Fuels Specialist
Michelle Holden Bradley
Forensic Engineer
Allen Bauer
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Martin Coles
Forensic Engineer
John McCutcheon
John McCutcheon
Ryan Norton
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Andrea Gaynor
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Katherine Humphrys
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Art Beleda
Vice President Eastern Canada and Fire & Explosion Investigator
Steve Klimpel
Fire & Explosion Investigator and Operations Manager Northern and Eastern Ontario/Atlantic Canada
Matthew Obach
Forensic Engineer and Branch Manager
Matt Roberts
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Stephen L. Martin
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Chase Wang
Forensic Engineer and Fire Investigator
Chris Needham
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Melanie Cairns
Forensic Engineer
Tristan Delorme
Forensic Engineer
Raina Chamberlain
Electrical Engineering Trainee/Fire Investigator
Kylee Martin
Fire & Explosion Investigator
Alexa Grittani
Fire Investigator EIT