• Building Codes
• Burn Injury
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
• Fire
• Fire & Life Safety
• Fire Sprinkler Systems
• Forensic Engineering
• Medical Toxicology
• Products Liability
• Safety

Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:

A: Ph.D., Toxicology, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 2010.
M.S., Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, School of Engineering, College Park, MD, 2002.
B.S., Fire Protection Engineering, University of Maryland, School of Engineering, College Park, MD, 2000.
Registered Professional Engineer (Fire Protection), State of Delaware, License # 13162
Registered Professional Engineer (Fire Protection), State of Maryland, License #39570
Certified Fire Investigator, International Association of Arson Investigators, Certification #53-120705
Certified Safety Professional, Board of Certified Safety Professionals, Certification # CSP-33215,
Contracting Officer’s Representative- Level II, Federal Acquisition Institute

Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:

A: Current
Member, Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP)
Member, International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Member, International Code Council (ICC)
Member, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Member, Society of Forensic Toxicology (SOFT)
Member, Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)

Past
Friend, NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations
Committee, NFPA 720, Standard for the Installation of Carbon Monoxide Detection and Warning Equipment
Committee, ISO/TC 92/SC3, Fire threat to people and the environment
Member, Society of Toxicology (SOT)
Member, International Association for Fire Safety Science (IAFSS)
Member, Technical Working Group for Fire and Explosives (TWGFEX)

Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:

A: “Electrical Fire Research” presented at NFPA 921 Committee Meeting, Tucson, AZ, February 2002.

“Arson Investigation” segment, Fox 5 News, WTTG-DC, May 2005.

“Comparison of Gasoline Weathering on Carpet Samples Exposed to Various Thermal Environments”, presented at International Symposium on Fire Investigation Science and Technology, Cincinnati, OH, June 2006.

“The Extent of Evaporation of Ignitable Liquids Under Exposure to Compartment Fires, Non-Fire Thermal and Non-Thermal Environments” presented at Fire and Materials, San Francisco, CA, January 2007.

“Smoke Detection Systems, Fire Modeling, and Fire Toxicology: Useful Tools in Fire Investigation and Reconstruction” presented at Cozen O’Connor Continuing Legal Education seminar, Philadelphia, PA, April 2007.
“Application of Fundamental Principles” presented at International Association of Arson Investigators Conference, Denver, CO, April 2008.

“Applications of Forensic Toxicology in Fire Origin and Cause Determination” presented at the Society of Fire Protection Engineers Professional Development Conference, Charlotte, NC, October 2008.

“The Use of Forensic Toxicology in Fire Origin and Cause Determination” presented to the Advanced Fire Investigation Class, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD, February 2009.

“Forensics: You Decide- Up in Flames”, Season 1, Episode 3, Investigation Discovery, Discovery Channel, August 2009.

"NFPA 921: Guide to Fire and Explosion Investigation; Session 1: Electricity and Fire, Session 2: Fire and Explosion Deaths and Injuries" presented to the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal, February 17, 2010 and March 3, 2010.

“Burned: Arson Investigation Evidence Changes with Science”, 20/20, ABC News, May 7, 2010.

“Forensic Toxicology in Fire Investigation: The Kristine Bunch Case Study” presented to the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Beltsville, MD February 8, 2011.

“The Scientific Method and a Case of Arson-for-Hire” presented at the Circumstantial Arson Case: Investigative Techniques and Strategies Seminar, King of Prussia, PA, February 9, 2011.

“Fire Related Deaths and Injuries: The Use of Toxicological Data in Fire Origin and Cause Determination” presented at the National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, March 19, 2011, April 19, 2011, June 28, 2011.

“Fire Related Deaths and Injuries: The Use of Toxicological Data in Fire Origin and Cause Determination” presented at the International Association of Arson Investigators, NC/SC Chapter Training Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC, October 20, 2011.

“Toxicology in Fire Investigation” presented at the International Association of Arson Investigators, Annual Training Conference, Dover, DE, April 25, 2012.

“Practical Applications of Fire Dynamics and Modeling” presented at the National Fire Academy, Emmitsburg, MD, August 21st-23rd, 2012 and December 2nd- 7th, 2012.

“Fire Death Investigations” presented at the Collin County Fire & Arson Investigation Association- 3rd Annual Forensic Fire Death Investigations Course, Huntsville, TX, September 21, 2015.

“Fire Dynamics for Beginners” presented as a Webinar for the National Association of Subrogation Professionals, February 16, 2018.

“Forensic Toxicology: Furthering Fire Causation Analysis with Medical Evidence” presented at the Maine Event, Portland, ME, July 26, 2018.

“The Scientific Method in Fire Death Investigation” and “The Impact of Drugs and Alcohol in Fire-Related Death” presented at the International Association of Arson Investigators, Oregon Chapter 31, Advanced Arson Seminar, Newport, OR, September 19, 2018.

“Fire and Emergency Service Personnel Knowledge, Skills, and Maintaining Proficiency” presented at the National Fire Protection Association, Fire Protection Research Foundation Workshop, Quincy, MA, October 1st and 2nd.

“The Kristine Bunch Case- The Relevance of Forensic Toxicology in Fire Investigation” presented at the Indiana Public Defender Council (IPDC) Seminar, December 4, 2020.
"Impaired Occupants and Fire Alarm System Efficacy" presented at the DRI Fire Science Seminar, September 11, 2021

"The Impact of Forensic Science on Wrongful Convictions" presented at the Indianapolis Bar Association Hybrid Event, September 22, 2021.

"Occupant Tenability Assessment Approaches in Performance-Based Design" presented at the Society of Fire Protection Engineers Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD, October 18, 2021.

“Occupant Tenability Analysis” presented as an online lecture to students enrolled in FPE 521- Egress Analysis and Design at California Polytechnic State University, November 11, 2021.

“Occupant Tenability Assessment Approaches in Performance-Based Design” presented as a Webinar for the Society of Fire Protection Engineers, March 3, 2022.

“Fire Suppression System Failures” presented as a Webinar for the National Association of Subrogation Professionals, March 22, 2022.

“Fireground Contaminant Exposure Control- Approaches and Challenges Faced by the Health and Safety Officer”, presented at the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, Special Programs Workshop, College Park, MD, May 23-24, 2022.

“Steps to Safety- A community approach to prevent fire and falls among older adults” presented at the National Fire Protection Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA, June 6, 2022

“The Impact of Drugs on Fire Risk”, presented at the National Fire Protection Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA, June 7, 2022.

“Carbon Monoxide Detection Requirements: Do You Feel Safe?” presented at the National Fire Protection Association Annual Conference, Boston, MA, June 7, 2022.

“Fireground Contaminant Exposure Control- Approaches and Challenges”, presented at the Maryland State Firemen’s Association Convention, Ocean City, MD, June 20, 2022.

“Reduce Residential Fire Loss- Impact of Medication on Older Adult Fall and Fire Risk”, presented at the Fire Protection Research Foundation 40th Anniversary Webinar Series, August 24, 2022.

“Review of Impact of Medication on Older Adult Fall and Fire Risk”, presented at the virtual meeting of the Senior Fall Prevention Coalition of Clay and Platte Counties, September 6, 2022.

“Environmental and Health Impacts of Fire and Fire Suppression Activities During Large-Scale Fire Events”, presented at the 2022 Society of Fire Protection Engineers Annual Conference & Exposition, Detroit, MI, October 13, 2022.

“Environmental and Health Impacts of Fire and Fire Suppression Activities During Large-Scale Fire Events”, presented at the virtual meeting of the SFPE Denmark Chapter, October 27, 2022 and virtual meeting of the SFPE Philadelphia Chapter, November 15, 2022.

“Environmental and Health Impacts of Fire and Fire Suppression Activities During Large-Scale Fire Events”, presented as a Webinar for the SFPE Research Foundation, March 16, 2023.

“Wildland Urban Interface: Risk Assessment & Mitigation for the Fire Service”, presented to the Meade County (KY) Fire District, May 9, 2023; Ross Valley (CA) Fire Department, May 10-11, 2023; Colorado Springs (CO) Fire Department, May 17, 2023; Boise (ID) Fire Department, June 6, 2023; Big Sky (MT) Fire Department, June 13, 2023; and Virtual Multi-Department Offering, August 14-15, 2023.
“Fireground Contaminant Exposure Control: National and Regional Approaches” presented at the National Fire Protection Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV, June 19, 2023.

“Carbon Monoxide: How Different Perspectives Are Showing Us the Bigger Picture” presented at the National Fire Protection Association Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV, June 20, 2023.

“Health, Safety, & Wellness: Fireground Contaminant Exposure Control Approaches & Challenges” presented at the Mid-Atlantic Life Safety Conference, John Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, Laurel, MD, September 19, 2023.

“Engineering a Sustainable and Fire Resilient Built Environment Panel Discussion” presented at the Society of Fire Protection Engineers Annual Conference, Bethesda, MD, October 10, 2023.

“Fire Engineering for the Fire Service: Developing a WUI Risk Assessment & Mitigation Curriculum” presented at the Society of Fire Protection Engineers Annual Conference, Bethesda, MD, October 10, 2023.

Q: Have any of your accreditations ever been investigated, suspended or removed? (if yes, explain)

A: No

Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?

A: Hundreds

Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?

A: Fire Origin and Cause Investigation
Forensic Toxicology
Electrical Fire Causes
Fire Modeling
Building Code/Construction Compliance
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Incidents
Fire Service Injuries/Deaths
Product Liability/Failure Analysis
Personal Injuries and Deaths by Fire
Wildland Urban Interface Fires and Risk Assessment

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?

A: 50%

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?

A: 50%

Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?

A: Approximately 25

Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?

A: 2024

Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?

A: Approximately 7

Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?

A: 1

Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?

A: Approximately 25

Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)

A: consulting, investigation, research, engineering, site inspections, laboratory testing, evidence inspections, reports, training

Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?

A: $525/hr - initial consultation (up to one hour) is at no charge

Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?

A: $525/hr

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?

A: $525/hr

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?

A: $525/hr

Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)

A: Standard retainer fee of $5000 due upon retention; fee may be more or less based upon project scope. Travel expenses, travel time, and any other direct costs incurred.

Available Upon Request