Fire Incidents Involving:
Structures * Vehicles * Equipment * Vessels * Appliances

Forensic Fire Consultants, Inc. has investigated a broad range of fire incidents and failures that are central to insurance claims and subrogation.  Our senior investigator, Bernard "Sandy" Kromenacker, has extensive experience in making fire origin and cause determinations for structures, vehicles, equipment, vessels, appliances, chimneys, and more.  With over 30 years of experience and more than 3300 investigations, Sandy clearly has the experience to provide you the best in fire origin and cause investigations. 

Knowing that any fire investigation has the potential for litigation or subrogation, FFCI conducts investigations using scientific methods that will stand up against cross examination.  Fire scene documentation, collection of artifacts and evidence, and evidence preservation are key elements of our extensive examinations.

FFCI's goal is to provide independent, scientific analysis of fire incidents  to our clients.  Sandy's success with fire origin and cause investigations and forensic fire expert witness testimony has led to his recognition as a leading expert in the field of fire and explosion investigations throughout North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, and other regions as well.

As a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI ), Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator/Instructor (CFEI), Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and Certified Fire Investigator Instructor (CFII) as well as holding a Private Investigator’s License in North Carolina, Sandy is the investigator with the training, education, and experience to provide thorough, professional, and accurate origin and cause determinations for you.

Services

Fire Origin and Cause Analysis                               
Evidence & Artifact Retrieval/ Storage
Incendiary Fire Analysis 
Fire Dynamics and Failure Analysis
Product Defect Analysis
Fire Safety Systems Failure Analysisand
Lightning Intrusion Analysis
Microscopic & X-Ray Analysis 
Code Compliance Analysis
Subrogation and Litigation Support
Case Management of Joint Inspections

Fire Scene Investigations Include:

  • A thorough scene examination with documentation through photographs, notes, diagrams, and evidence collection.
  • Interviews of the insured, owners, witnesses, neighbors, and others to determine the origin, cause, or responsibility for the fire or explosion incident. 
  • Immediate consultation with client to offer initial hypothesis.
  • Acquisition of incident and investigation reports and/or photographs through contact and coordination with state and local investigators.
  • Review of ASTM standards and NFPA guidelines, standards, and codes.
  • Checks for recalls, owner’s manuals, installation instructions, MSDS sheets, and other relevant documentation as needed. 
  • Coordination with other experts, including laboratory personnel, engineers, attorneys, and opposing experts.
  • Evidence documentation, collection, preservation, and storage. 
  • Written or verbal report containing final hypothesis.