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PODCAST

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast

Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens

Welcome to the Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast, where we dive deep into the fascinating world of origin and cause investigations. Join hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens, experienced fire investigators, as they discuss all things fire investigation from the latest techniques, case studies, and challenges faced by professionals in this critical field. Through a community effort, this podcast aims to create a platform for investigators to learn from one another and grow together. Whether you"re

education how to

All Episodes

74:28

S.3 Ep.7- NFPA 921 Ch.6 Summary Part 2- Fire...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2026/04/01

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens continue their deep dive into NFPA 921 Chapter 6 with Part 2: Fire Patterns. The episode blends real-world case studies with foundational fire science, reinforcing how fire investigators interpret patterns, validate origin hypotheses, and apply the scientific method in the field. Listeners are first brought into two compelling case studies: a hybrid vehicle fire with origin traced to the rear hatchback area despite severe...

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73:15

S.3 Ep.6- NFPA 921 Chapter 6 Summary Part 1, Fire...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2026/03/18

Send a text In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens kick off their discussion of NFPA 921 Chapter 6 by breaking down one of the most important foundations in fire investigation: fire effects, and then fire pattens next episode. Using real-world deposition questions and courtroom-style challenges, they show why investigators must be able to clearly explain concepts like fire plume development, truncated cone patterns, U patterns, clean burn, oxidation, calcination, spalling, and more....

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70:34

S.3 Ep.5- Possibility to Probability, Wildland Fire...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2026/03/04

Send a text Recorded live at the California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI), this episode features Fire Investigator and researcher Keith Parker for a wide-ranging (and very real) conversation about what it looks like to apply the scientific method in fire investigation—especially when the ignition source is gone and the pressure to “have an answer” is high. We dig into affirmative evidence vs. negative corpus, why timelines can be some of the strongest support for (or against) ...

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67:18

S.3 Ep.4- Building a Successful Fire Investigation...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2026/02/18

Send a text In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens are joined by Fire Investigators Bill Strohm and Oliver Gillespie to explain how their fire investigation unit operates and why their structure leads to strong case outcomes. They break down the roles of shift investigators, who handle origin and cause, evidence collection, and witness interviews at active scenes, and day-shift investigators, who manage follow-ups, warrants, law enforcement coordination, and case preparation for pro...

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61:46

S.3 Ep.3- From the Legal Desk: Certified v. Qualified...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2026/02/04

Send us a text In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with returning guest Attorney Lauren Guber for a real-world conversation on how fire investigations hold up when the stakes are high—especially in court. The episode kicks off with a sharp comparison between the U.S. approach to fire investigation standards and the UK’s “Code of Practice” concept, which reads more like “you shall” than “you should.” From there, Lauren breaks down what attorneys actually lean on when chal...

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76:12

Episode 50!- The Series Continues; Basic Fire Science...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2026/01/22

Send us a text In this milestone 50th episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive into Chapter 5: Basic Fire Science from the 2024 edition of NFPA 921. This episode breaks down foundational fire science concepts that investigators are frequently challenged on in court—covering the definition of fire, energy vs. power, heat flux, modes of heat transfer, minimum ignition energy (MIE), flammable limits, and suppression effects. Scott and Chasity explain how misunderstandings of fire dyna...

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51:29

S.3 Ep.1- New Year Refresh; Site Safety Assessments

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2026/01/07

Send us a text Season 3 kicks off with a timely and critical conversation on site safety assessments and why they are more than just a procedural checkbox—they’re a fundamental part of the fire investigation process. Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens open the new year by reflecting on recent cases, near-misses, and real-world examples that highlight how quickly an investigation can become dangerous when scene hazards aren’t properly assessed, mitigated, and documented. From energized electrical...

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23:50

Embercast 3- Arc vs. Arc Site: Why Words Matter in...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/12/24

Send us a text In this Christmas Eve Embercast, Chasity and Scott slow things down with a short, informal episode focused on listener feedback, community connection, and the continued growth of the fire investigation profession. Rather than a full-length case discussion, this Ember-style episode highlights messages from investigators around the world—including Australia—and explores meaningful conversations sparked by listener questions, critiques, and ideas. Topics include a listener-request...

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69:01

S.2 Ep.25- Inside IAAI Training Week: Evidence,...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/12/17

Send us a text This episode is basically a training recap and a reality check for anyone trying to level up in origin and cause—especially in motor vehicle fires and evidence handling. Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens kick things off by talking about hosting multiple IAAI classes in Orange County, including the newer Evidence Collection course and the Evidence Collection Technician (ECT) practicum, with real talk about what surprised them, what they wish the class showed more clearly, and why ...

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61:43

S.2 Ep.24- Back to the Basics; NFPA 921 Ch. 4 - Basic...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/12/03

Send us a text In this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens kick off an exciting new series diving deep into NFPA 921—starting with one of the most critical chapters in the entire guide: Chapter 4, Basic Methodology. This episode blends expert-level fire investigation insight with the podcast’s signature humor, storytelling, and real-world case experience. Scott and Chasity introduce their brand-new segment, “Investigation Interrogation,” where they challenge each other—and the audience—w...

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67:48

S.2 Ep.23- Negative Corpus vs Process of Elimination;...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/11/19

Send us a text On this episode, Scott and Chasity go deep into a real commercial structure fire that went all the way to jury trial—and nearly got labeled as “negative corpus” by the defense. They walk through the fire from first alarm to conviction: a midnight manual pull station, sprinklers flowing on stacked cardboard, a lone security guard, multiple small fires at knee height, and no obvious ignition source in the debris. Scott breaks down, step-by-step, how he eliminated every plausible ...

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50:57

S.2 Ep.22 - Protect, Prepare, Participate: The...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/11/07

Send us a text In this episode, Chasity and Scott head to Florida to sit down with newly elected Florida Chapter President Joe Pietrafesa and newly elected Vice President Stephen Dollar. Recorded on Disney property during the state conference, this conversation dives into the real-world challenges fire investigators are facing today—from AI-altered photographs and manipulated metadata to the increasing importance of respiratory protection and long-term health monitoring. Joe opens up about ho...

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65:11

S.2 Ep.21- Forcing the Narrative During Interviews...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/10/23

Send us a text In this episode, spooky season banter quickly gives way to a masterclass on interviewing for fire investigation: open-ended vs. leading questions, letting witnesses talk without interruption, taking notes without breaking rapport, and using scene walk-throughs to correct memory gaps and build timelines. We unpack subrogation in plain English, why early investigator deployment is value-add, and how to avoid bias from client synopses. Real cases include a mid-slope wildland start...

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47:08

S.2 Ep.20- Discussing Quantify vs. Qualify, Error...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/10/09

Send us a text In this episode Chasity and Scott dig into how real-world investigators apply NFPA 921 on scene and on the stand—focusing on why we qualify conclusions (not quantify them), how to express confidence without the discredited “reasonable degree of scientific certainty,” and practical ways to navigate internal and external pressure during origin-and-cause work. You’ll also hear quick takes on PAPRs in the field (battery life, full-face vs. half-mask), what’s new on the training cal...

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19:45

EmberCast 2- Project Fire Buddies: How Firefighters...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/10/06

Send us a text In this Embercast episode, brought to you by the Fire Investigation INFOCUS Podcast, hosts Chasity Owens and Scott Kuhlman sit down with Illinois firefighters and investigators Bob and Zig to discuss Project Fire Buddies — a powerful nonprofit connecting fire departments with families of children facing chronic or life-threatening illnesses. What began as one firefighter’s compassionate gesture has grown into a nationwide movement with 150+ chapters across 14 states, bringing ...

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59:03

S.2 Ep.19- Passing the Torch: Past President Tim...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/09/24

Send us a text In 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 ho...

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72:12

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

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/09/10

Send us a text Welcome 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...

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20:45

EmberCast 1 - Mapping the Future of Wildland Fire...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/09/04

Send us a text Welcome 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 mo...

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40:24

S.2 Ep.17- NFPA 921 & 1033 Upcoming Updates: What...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/08/27

Send us a text Episode 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 s...

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63:09

S.2 Ep.16- Back in The Studio: Catch up with us on...

Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast ·

2025/08/13

Send us a text Welcome 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 initia...

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