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Live from IAAI-ITC with Fire Investigation Students Molly Morrow and Maggie Fluharty.

Scott and Chasity return to in-person recording after their busy 4th of July weekend, diving into an engaging conversation about AI-generated images and Scott's impressive new wildland fire investigation app. The hosts share their experiences identifying fake AI content and discuss the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence in media. Scott reveals his exciting project - a custom app designed for his FI 210 wildland fire investigation class that helps students identify 11 key indicators in the field, complete with photos and confidence levels for advancing, lateral, and backing fire spreads.

The main feature presents Molly Morrow and Maggie Fluharty, two passionate students from Eastern Kentucky University who are making waves in fire investigation research. Molly, a senior fire investigation major whose firefighter father influenced her career path, and Maggie, a forensic science major with a biology concentration, share their fascinating work on depth of calcination studies. Their research examines how different types of gypsum board (lightweight Type C, moisture resistant, soundproof, and Glass Rock) respond to various heat fluxes using digital depth probes for consistent measurements. The students explain how their color-coded graphs and precise data collection could revolutionize how investigators interpret fire damage patterns in the field.

The episode also features valuable resources for aspiring investigators, including recommendations for Fire Investigation magazine, John Lentini's newsletter archives, and networking opportunities through the IAAI student program. With upcoming training opportunities in Arizona, Georgia, California, Hawaii, Indiana, and Tennessee, plus a special virtual wildland investigation seminar, this episode perfectly captures the collaborative spirit and cutting-edge research driving the fire investigation community forward.

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Get ready for a mind-blowing deep dive into the science of spontaneous combustion!

Scott and Chastity catch up on their busy schedules, with Scott fresh from teaching at the Fire Investigator Academy in Fresno where students bond over four intensive weeks of training. The hosts discuss recent marine fire investigation training and upcoming wildland classes before diving into the main event.

The Doug Byron Interview: Spontaneous Combustion Masterclass

The real star of this episode is Dr. Doug Byron from Fast Labs, a renowned expert in spontaneous combustion who's been practicing forensic scientific testing for 30 years. His journey into fire forensics began unexpectedly after a car accident derailed his military aviation plans, leading him to answer phones at his father's ATF laboratory - and the rest is history.

Doug definitively settles the mulch pile debate that plagues investigators: small playground mulch piles CANNOT spontaneously combust. The mass simply isn't there for heat retention. But here's the kicker - castor oil in hair products can absolutely cause spontaneous ignition in laundry baskets, something most investigators have never encountered.

The episode reveals why Friday and Saturday night commercial fires often involve spontaneous combustion - workers rushing to leave for the weekend skip proper rag disposal protocols. Doug explains the fascinating science behind cooking oil fires in restaurants, particularly Mediterranean and Mexican establishments where heavy oils create perfect storm conditions.

Pro Tips That Will Blow Your Mind:

• Your HVAC filter can be tested for byproducts of spontaneous combustion reactions - a forensic goldmine most investigators never consider
• Dryer cool-down cycles exist for a reason - removing clothes early creates dangerous conditions
• Cotton rags can retain oils through multiple wash cycles, remaining reactive for weeks
• Microfiber rags actually prevent spontaneous combustion because they melt before reaching critical temperatures

The Flowchart Revolution

Perhaps the most exciting development discussed is the creation of a spontaneous combustion investigation flowchart, inspired by student Sawyer's brilliant suggestion. This practical tool will help investigators systematically evaluate scenes and communicate effectively with laboratories.

Doug shares incredible case studies including hay bales (biological degradation), recycling super bags, and even latex gloves in warehouses. The science behind "clinkers" - those concrete-like masses found in burned materials - gets thoroughly explained, debunking old myths about their diagnostic value.

The conversation explores the differences between chemical reactions (cooking oils, wood stains) and biological processes (hay, organic materials). Doug explains why spray paints can self-heat but rarely ignite, and shares a jaw-dropping case involving aluminum signs with linseed oil ink that reached over 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit before open flame.

The episode concludes with information about upcoming training opportunities, including marine fire investigation in Boise and the Illinois Chapter seminar where Scott and Chastity will teach AI applications and defensive report writing strategies.

This episode is essential listening for any fire investigator serious about understanding spontaneous combustion. Doug Byron's expertise, combined with practical case studies and acti

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In this compelling episode, host Chasity Owens delivers a solo intro while Scott Kuhlman attends Marine Fire Investigation training through IAAI. This special episode features inspiring stories from Guatemala and engaging conversations with dedicated podcast listeners, showcasing the global reach and impact of fire investigation.

Key Highlights

Breaking Ground in Guatemala: Gretel's remarkable story of becoming Guatemala's first and only certified fire investigator after starting as a technology coach for struggling firefighters in 2014. Despite having no prior fire investigation knowledge, her engineering background and passion for learning led her to pursue training across multiple countries, paying out of pocket to build the expertise her country desperately needed.

Building a Fire Investigation Program: Learn how Gretel established her own fire investigation company, handling approximately 100 cases annually across Guatemala and Central America while training new investigators and maintaining her volunteer firefighter duties. Her work fills a critical gap where no public fire investigation services existed.

The Construction Connection: Both Braden and Dale emphasize the crucial importance of understanding building construction in fire investigation. Their backgrounds in code enforcement and construction provide invaluable insights into how buildings are designed, and built, and how fire travels through different structural systems.

International Training Efforts: The episode explores ongoing efforts to bring fire investigation training to underserved regions, including recent IAAI fundamentals training in Guatemala and upcoming programs in Colombia, Paraguay, and Chile.

Training Announcements

• Arizona Annual Training Conference: July 23-25 in Prescott, Arizona
• Georgia ATC: July 28-31 in Savannah, Georgia (featuring EV fires, solar panel investigations, and serial arsonist profiling)
• California Conference of Arson Investigators: October 6-9 (includes live burn day)

Sponsor Spotlight

The episode features Clean Space respiratory protection systems, highlighting improved visibility, comfort, and safety for fire scene investigations. Contact Tim Costa at 401-573-5341 or tim.costa@itl.us for more information.

Episode Takeaways

This episode powerfully demonstrates the universal need for fire investigation expertise and the dedication required to build these capabilities from scratch. Gretel's story serves as an inspiration for investigators worldwide, while the listener segment reinforces the importance of networking and continuous learning within the fire investigation community. The diverse backgrounds of all guests underscore how different professional experiences enhance fire investigation capabilities.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the individual hosts and guests and do not necessarily represent official positions of affiliated organizations.

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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.

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