Fire investigations UK

James has been conducting investigations of scenes damaged by fire and/or explosion since 2004. He has extensive experience investigating fires in domestic, commercial and industrial properties; lightweight and commercial vehicles; and machinery including agricultural and construction plant.

James holds a Master of Science Degree with Distinction in Fire Engineering and a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Forensic Science with Biochemistry.  He is a Certified Fire Investigator with Motor Vehicle Fire Credential Endorsement and a Certified Evidence Collection Technician with the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI); he is registered as an Engineering Technician with the Engineering Council through the Institution of Fire Engineers. He holds Member grade membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers; he is an accredited Member of the Academy of Experts, and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI); and a Fellow of the United Kingdom Association of Fire Investigators (International Association of Arson Investigators Chapter 67).

He has completed many investigations of vehicles damaged by fire and/or explosion having gained extensive experience; in lightweight vehicles including high performance cars; commercial vehicles including heavy goods (HGV), passenger service vehicles (PSV) and limousines; and machinery including agricultural and construction plant, in determining the cause of fire following a variety of mechanical or electrical failures in petrol, diesel and gas fuelled engines as well as those with Hybrid or Electric drive systems.

As part of his investigation activities, he has undertaken numerous scene and laboratory examinations of electrical installations (including photovoltaic systems) and appliances (including those powered by Lithium batteries) involved in fires. He has extensive experience of investigating fires that have occurred within or that have spread from air handling systems including kitchen ducting. He is qualified as a Kitchen Extract Cleaning Operator, applying the B&ES Internal Cleanliness of Ventilation System TR19 standard (section 7 – Specific considerations for kitchen extract systems) which includes understanding the legal and insurance requirements for compliance with that standard.

In January 2021 James was elected to the role of 2nd Vice President within the UK Association of Fire Investigators, following his initial election to the Board of Directors in January 2019, where he continues to contribute to the management and running of the association which is the Professional Body for fire investigation within the UK.