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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 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.

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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 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_podcast
LinkedIn: INFOCUS podcast
Facebook: INFOCUS podcast
TikTok: @infocus_podcast

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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 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, 2025
• North Dakota Chapter Training Conference
  📍 North Dakota | 🗓️ September 24–26, 2025
• California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI) Training Conference
  📍 San Luis Obispo, CA | 🗓️ October 6–9, 2025
• Nevada Chapter – Building Codes & Fire Investigation
  📍 Reno Fire Station 11 | 🗓️ September 18, 2025 | ⏰ 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  Instructor: Keith Eth | Lunch provided
• FIG Global (Spanish-language webinar)
  🗓️ September 10, 2025 | ⏰ 1200 hrs CDMX
  Topic: Reconstructing the Truth – Impact of Fire Forensic Labs

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_podcast
LinkedIn: INFOCUS podcast
Facebook: INFOCUS podcast
TikTok: @infocus_podcast