
Our Services
Fire & Explosion Investigation
Every fire or explosion is a completely unique situation with its own story, characteristics, and complexities. Putting all the facts together is like completing a jigsaw puzzle without knowing what the picture looks like. Our qualified experts in fire forensics have the vision and knowledge to put all the pieces together and come up with an accurate picture of the origin and cause of the incident.
Forensic Fire Investigation Services
All investigations are based on a systematic approach and a deep understanding of fire science. Every case involves the careful analysis and proper documentation of physical evidence from the scene, followed by thorough and timely written investigative reports.
Types of Investigations
- Residential, commercial and industrial fire and explosions
- Vehicle and heavy equipment fire and explosions:
- Private passenger vehicles, tractor-trailers, forestry equipment, commercial passenger vehicles, marine, agriculture, construction and industrial equipment
- Incident investigation and documentation
- Fire propagation analysis
- Fire investigation litigation
- Canine accelerant detection
- Natural gas, propane and methane appliance investigations
- Electrical appliance investigations
K9 Unit
We use trained detection dogs, each trained with specific expertise. Fifty percent of a dog’s training relies on the nature of that individual dog. Temperament, environmental focus, and high-hunt drive are tested by our K9 investigator from 10 months to a year old to determine if the dog will be successful at detection.
Accelerant detection: The number of odours the dog can indicate on can be as many as 20 different accelerants, deriving from primary odours. The dog enters into a fire scene and can detect the presence of specific ignitable liquids used. The primary odours include gasoline, diesel fuel, paint thinner, kerosene, lamp oil, lighter fluid, and varsol.
Explosives detection: Five explosive materials the dog can indicate on include TNT, PETN, RDX, chlorates, and nitrates.
Services co-ordinated Through Preferred Partners
- Expert witness/litigation support
- Damage assessments
- Scope of immediate structural safety measures
- Preparation of engineering reports
- Preparation of engineering drawings for repair or reconstruction
- Building code reviews
- Building envelope assessments
- Scope of structural repair
- Building permit applications
- Conservation Authority work permit applications
- General field review during construction
- Hazardous Building Materials Assessments*
- HVAC designs*
- Property surveys and grading plans*
- Septic system designs*
- Fire
- Explosion
- Construction Ground Vibration
- Wind
- Snow & Ice
- Tree Impacts
- Vehicle Impacts
- Lightning Strikes
- Construction Defects
- Foundation Issues
- Building Envelope/Enclosure
- Water Damage
- Structural Collapse
- Failure Investigation
- Residential
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Institutional
- Agricultural / Farm
- Recreational
- Cranes
- Pedestrian Bridges
- Retaining Walls
- Signs
- Silos
- Storage Racks
- Swimming Pools
- Utility Poles
Resource Center
Experts in this field

Michael Owens
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Richard Bulley
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Mazen Habash
President and Consulting Forensic Engineer

Richard Kooren
Consulting Forensic Engineer

Brent Fukuda
Forensic Engineer

Vladimir Chlistovsky
Forensic Engineer and Mississauga Operations Manager

Ken Swan
Vice President Western Canada and Fire & Explosion Investigator

Tom Hutton
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Bill Osborne
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Joe Adams
Fire Investigator and HVAC/Fuels Specialist

Peter Apsit
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Sid Murray
Canine Expert Trainer

Jimmy Fata
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Peter Hamilton
Fire & Explosion Investigator and Atlantic Canada Manager

Greg Litvanyi
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Gary Jarrett
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Mario Delorme
Vice President Eastern Canada and Fire & Explosion Investigator

William “Bill” Hiscott
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Chris K. Panasiewicz
Consulting Forensic Engineer

Ryan Dobson
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Shelley Tyler
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Mark Mason
Fire Investigator and HVAC/Fuels Specialist

Russ Friesen
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Dan Newburn
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Keith B. Ellwood
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Allen Bauer
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Martin Coles
Forensic Engineer

Tyson Morris
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Angela Petersen
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Art Beleda
Fire & Explosion Investigator, Senior Engineering Technologist and Branch Manager

Stephen L. Martin
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Eddie Deveau
Forensic Engineer and Fire & Explosion Investigator

Steve Klimpel
Fire & Explosion Investigator and Branch Manager

Matthew Obach
Forensic Engineer and Branch Manager

Matt Roberts
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Chris Needham
Fire & Explosion Investigator

Melanie Cairns
Forensic EIT

Tristan Delorme
Forensic EIT