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 dynamics, radiant heat, convection, and material properties can lead to incorrect origin-and-cause conclusions—and how defense attorneys exploit these gaps. Using real-world examples, courtroom-style questions, and investigator-friendly analogies, they emphasize treating fire as a process, not just a pattern.

The episode also celebrates 50 episodes, discusses advanced education at Eastern Kentucky University and Oklahoma State University, and answers listener questions on cigarette ignition research. Whether you’re a seasoned investigator, student, or expert witness, this episode reinforces why mastering basic fire science is essential for credible, defensible investigations.

IAAI Annual Conference (Wichita, Kansas) — February 3–5

New Mexico Annual Training Conference — February 23–27

IAAI Evidence Collection Technician (ECT) Class / Practicum (hosted at Orange County Fire Authority – Orange County, CA) — Dates not stated in the episode

CCAI (California Conference of Arson Investigators) — February 23–26

Fire Investigation 1A (Miramar College – San Diego, CA) — March 9–13

Georgia Fire Investigators Association Spring Conference (Cobb / Marietta, Georgia) — March 16–19

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