World Renowned Experts to Present at 2008 IAAI Denver ATC Conference

by Elizabeth Connolly

The International Association of Arson Investigator's (IAAI) strong commitment to the advanced training and education of fire investigators will again be exhibited at the 2008 Annual Training Conference (ATC) in Denver, Colo., from April 27-May 2, 2008, at Denver's Marriott Tech Center. This year's ATC agenda will include world-renowned expert speakers, a brand new roundtable discussion, the latest selection in seminar topics and a chance for attendees to discover Denver's downtown area and take part in the exceptional activities planned by the Colorado Chapter of the IAAI. Furthermore, three training tracks will run simultaneously providing quality training for everyone, no matter what your specialty or assignment is.

A few of this year's expert speakers are:

Analysis of Fire Scenes Utilizing Fire Dynamics Equation, presented by Dr. James Quintiere. University of Maryland Professor in Fire Protection Engineering, Dr. James Quintiere, has written more than 100 journal publications and reports, and has investigated numerous fire disasters including the Branch Davidian Compound fire in Waco, TX.

Cigarette/Gasoline Ignition Study, presented by Jack Malooly. Jack Malooly, a former Senior Special Agent CFI with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF), has taught explosive classes all over the world including the Iraqi Police in Baghdad.

International involvement will be presented by:

Bethel Green Road Firefighter Fatality, presented by Peter Mansi. Peter Mansi has been an operational firefighter in the London Fire Brigade for over 25 years.

British Antarctic Survey Fire Investigation, presented by Jim Munday. Jim Munday worked for the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory, which is part of Scotland Yard, for more than 20 years. Today he is greatly involved in devising and delivering training programs in both the UK and Australia.

Some of the week's featured meetings include:

Basic Fire Investigation, presented by Jim Allen and Joe Konefal. This class is widely regarded as the course that has something to provide for everyone regardless of their level of training and will be given every day during the ATC. Learn about the latest information concerning burn patterns, fire causes and find out how to use NFPA 921 as a tool to help you in your court presentations.

Keeping with the IAAI philosophy of bringing to the forefront current issues, a roundtable discussion, The Innocence Project and the State of Fire Investigation will be held on Wednesday, April 30, 2008, from 1:00-5:00pm. The roundtable members will be discussing the Innocence Project, which is a non-profit organization established in 1992, dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted people through DNA testing and improving the criminal justice system. Many of the people who have been involved in landmark "fire related" decisions will be on hand to discuss these issues in detail.

Transitioning from the Public Sector to the Private Sector is being given on Sunday, April 28, 2008, as a bonus seminar to jump-start the week of learning. Starting on Monday, participants will be able to choose from three-four separate and distinct training seminars, which will be offered every day of the conference. This format assures fire professionals from every sector of the fire investigation field a topic that is directly related to them.

The seminar lineup includes:
  • Analysis of Fire Scenes Utilizing Fire Dynamics Equations
  • Electrical Investigations and Arc Mapping
  • Bethel Green Road Firefighter Fatality
  • British Antarctic Survey Fire Investigation
  • Cigarette/Gasoline Ignition Study
  • Washington, D.C. Serial Arsonist Investigation
  • Wildland Fire Investigation
  • Basic Fire Investigation
  • Transitioning from the Public Sector to the Private Sector
  • Innocence Project and the State of Fire Investigation
  • Preparing for Courtroom Testimony
  • Investigating Fires in Alternative Fuel Vehicles
  • Minnesota Fire Research Project
  • Mizpah Hotel Multiple Fatality Fire Investigation
  • Mythology of Arson Investigation
  • Ethics for the Fire Professional
  • Expert Witness Selection
  • Development of Joint Examination Protocols and Safety Plan Guidelines
  • LP Gas Concerns, Before and After the Explosion
  • Spontaneous Ignition
  • Preparation of Test Questions for the Fire Trainer
  • Thermal Injuries to Victims
  • Practical Application of Engineering Principles
IAAI-CFI
Attendees will have the opportunity to take the IAAI CFI certification, which is available upon request with prior approval.

Don't Forget to Explore Denver
Bring your family and make the ATC a family vacation to Denver. You and your family can venture out to explore the sights and sounds of Denver, an entertainment venue that boasts 40 plus museums, historic attractions, the nation's largest city park system, a very popular zoo and much more. The 2008 ATC staff is planning a variety of events that are open to all participants and their families. The excursions currently being planned include a trip to the mountains, a visit to the Coors Brewery and the ATC banquet, which will be held on Tuesday evening at the Denver Marriott Tech Center.

Stop by to visit Buffalo Bill's Grave & Museum, the expanded Denver Art Museum designed by world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind or take a bike ride on the largest bike stretch of any urban area in the nation during your stay in Denver. The Denver Marriott Tech Center hotel is within walking distance of the Denver Light Rail, which can get you anywhere in the city. News Archive