  |
|
| Principals |
This company was founded by highly motivated, energetic, and experienced investigators, engineers, and individuals
with a passion for education. All Forensic Fire Analysis, LLC investigators, fire protection engineers, analysts, and instructors are practitioners currently working in the field.
Not relying on experience alone, employees continually
attend and instruct at some of the most prestigious
domestic and international seminars.
Good students make good teachers.
|
 |
|
 |
 |
Lester V. Rich, CFEI, IAAI-CFI
|
| NC License # 3704 |
| Chief Executive Officer |
Holds a Bachelor of Science degree, Appalachian State University, and was certified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives as a Special Agent Fire Investigator in 1997. His experience includes firefighter, County Fire Marshal and Fire Investigator for the Charlotte Fire Department. A Specialist in Explosives and post blast scene investigation. He is a sought after instructor having taught internationally and domestically, including as a visiting lecturer at the National Academy.
Certified Fire Investigator by the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications. Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator by the National Association of Fire Investigators. Certified in Blasting Fundamentals and as a Hazardous Materials Technician/Specialist.
He has over 3,500 hours of specialized instruction, investigated over 850 fire scenes, participated in over 375 test and training burns. He has provided expert testimony in both state and federal courts including testimony in civil and criminal cases as to both accidental and incendiary fire causes.
|
Email:
lrich@ForensicFireAnalysis.com
|
|
 |
C. Benjamin Norris, IAAI-CFI |
| President |
Prior municipal firefighter and Chief Officer for the City of North Charleston, SC Fire Department for 32 years, beginning his career in 1973. Appointed Fire/Arson Investigator in 1977 and to the position of Assistant Chief/Chief Investigator in 1985. Became a certified law enforcement officer in 1981. Certified Fire Investigator by the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications
since 1989. Instructs for both the South Carolina Fire Academy and the National Fire Academy in fire cause determination and arson investigation. EPA certified Hazardous Materials Technician and served on local Joint Terrorism Task Force and COBRA Team.
Is an experienced forensic photographer, winning awards from the IAAI and the SC-IAAI. Has successfully completed over 4,500 hours of specialized training.
Has physically investigated over 5,000 fire scenes. Participated in over 250 live fire test burns and research projects. Has qualified as an expert in fire cause determination and arson investigation in both state and federal courts.
|
Email: bnorris@ForensicFireAnalysis.com
|
|
 |
Gerald Haynes, P.E., CFEI |
Vice President
Fire Protection Engineer |
Holds Masters and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Maryland in Fire Protection Engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer. He is also a Certified Fire and Explosions Investigator.
He has extensive experience in the fields of Fire Protection Engineering and Fire Investigation, including work at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building and Fire Research Laboratory and the US Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
His experience is multidimensional including municipal fire service, fire inspection, plans
review, case analysis, expert testimony, and military service. He is a member of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, National Society of Professional Engineers, National Fire Protection Association, National Association of Fire Investigators, and the International Association of Arson Investigators. |
Email: ghaynes@ForensicFireAnalysis.com
|
|
|
|
Associated Professionals
|
 |
Stephen M. Hill, P.E. |
| Fire Protection Engineer |
Holds Masters and Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Maryland in Fire Protection Engineering. He was intimately involved in the startup of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' Fire Research Laboratory and has extensive experience in the application of scientific and engineering principles in the forensic support of fire investigations. He has performed complex calculations and fire modeling analyses, designed and conducted small and large scale fire tests and simulations, delivered technical instruction to Certified Fire Investigators, and provided expert testimony.
Other experiences include time spent as an engineer at a Fire Protection Engineering consulting firm, where he specialized in fire dynamics, building code consultation, and the application of fire modeling analyses in support of performance based design. Mr. Hill is a registered professional fire protection engineer in the State of Maryland and a member of NFPA, SFPE, and the IAAI. He is the current President of the local Chesapeake Chapter of the SFPE, teaches courses for SFPE, and has been a lecturer in the University of Maryland's Department of Fire Protection Engineering.
|
|
|
 |
| |
|
