Send us a text Get ready for a mind-blowing deep dive into the science of spontaneous combustion! Scott and Chastity catch up on their busy schedules, with Scott fresh from teaching at the Fire Investigator Academy in Fresno where students bond over four intensive weeks of training. The hosts discuss recent marine fire investigation training and upcoming wildland classes before diving into the main event. The Doug Byron Interview: Spontaneous Combustion Masterclass The real star of this episode ...
Jul 02, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Send us a text In this compelling episode, host Chasity Owens delivers a solo intro while Scott Kuhlman attends Marine Fire Investigation training through IAAI. This special episode features inspiring stories from Guatemala and engaging conversations with dedicated podcast listeners, showcasing the global reach and impact of fire investigation. Key Highlights Breaking Ground in Guatemala : Gretel's remarkable story of becoming Guatemala's first and only certified fire investigator after starting...
Jun 18, 2025•47 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Send us a text In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens deliver another compelling installment from the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) training conference. Recording remotely while Scott teaches at the Fire Investigator Academy in Fresno, the duo presents an illuminating conversation with Rick and Cassandra Jones, two passionate advocates for fire investigation certification and training excellence. Rick Jones shares his journey from law enforcement canine ...
Jun 04, 2025•54 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Send us a text In this episode, Scott and Chasity reunite in-studio after several remote recordings to discuss their recent activities and introduce a special panel discussion about the Scientific Advisory Work Group (SAW). Scott shares his excitement about getting accepted into OSU for a master's program, while the hosts debate the value of continuing education in fire investigation. They emphasize the importance of bachelor's degrees for investigators before diving into the main interview segm...
May 21, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Send us a text In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens catch up before diving into an interview with Kayla Theriot who is in Business Development for iGuide, a 3D camera solution company. Scott, teaching in San Diego while Chasity holds down the fort in Orange County, discusses how they're experimenting with remote recording to maintain their signature dynamic intro style. The hosts tease their excitement about iGuide's technology and its applications in fire investigation before ...
May 07, 2025•48 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Send us a text In this live episode, Scott opens the show solo from San Diego where he's instructing a 40-hour basic origin and cause class, while Chasity is held up at home with the flu. Scott extends a heartfelt thank you to conference attendees who shared feedback and listening habits, with many enjoying the podcast during workouts, commutes, or before calls. He encourages listeners to get involved with their local IAAI chapters to accelerate their learning curves through networking with expe...
Apr 23, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Send us a text In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens record live from the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) International Training Conference in Atlantic City, New Jersey. With nearly 900 attendees at the conference, the hosts discuss the value of networking and the exciting atmosphere of the event, intentionally keeping background noise to give listeners the authentic conference experience. Scott and Chasity begin by emphasizing the importance of connectio...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Send us a text In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive into several hot topics in fire investigation. They begin with a lighthearted generational gap test comparing lyrics to "Blame It On..." across different age groups, before transitioning to important professional content. The hosts discuss upcoming classes at the International Training Conference (ITC) in New Jersey, highlighting courses on AI in fire investigations, lithium-ion batteries, and forensic evidence processing...
Mar 27, 2025•58 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Send us a text In this milestone 25th episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens kick off their celebration with special AI celebrity "appearances" from Donald Trump, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kim Kardashian, and Joe Rogan to commemorate reaching this landmark. The podcast has surged in popularity, amassing over 13,000 downloads—a remarkable 30% increase in just 45 days—and approaching 100 five-star ratings on Apple Podcasts. Scott recaps highlights from the CCAI conference, highlighting Keith ...
Mar 12, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Send us a text In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens bring on a special guest - Dr. Gregory Gorbett, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CFPS, CFII, CVFI, Senior Fire Analyst/Co-Owner of Fire Dynamics Analysis, and one of Chasity's former professors from Eastern Kentucky University's renowned fire program. Recording from the California Conference of Arson Investigators February Seminar, the trio dives deep into the world of fire investigation with plenty of expert insights and good-natured banter. ...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Send us a text In this lively episode of the podcast, Scott and Chasity kick things off by showing their new merch from American Fire Brigade, known for their popular fire service merchandise and memorable memes that helped firefighters cope during COVID-19. (@americanfirebrigade). The duo shares personal stories about fire service culture, including a fascinating discussion about "coffee table culture" - the unique morning ritual where firefighters gather to exchange information and engage in w...
Feb 12, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Send us a text In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive into a fascinating mix of technical insights and emerging trends in fire investigation. The episode kicks off with a compelling discussion about the importance of asking the right questions during investigations, as Chasity shares a recent case involving a concealed space fire where strategic questioning revealed crucial information about recent plumbing work. The hosts also explore the often misunderstood relationship be...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Send us a text INFOCUS Podcast kicks off Season 2 with an explosive episode covering the devastating Santa Ana wind-driven fires affecting Southern California. Hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive deep into the current situation, with Scott sharing his recent appearance on NPR discussing the fires, while Chasity's TikTok video addressing fire speculation goes viral with over 170,000 views. The episode provides fascinating insights into wildland fire behavior, addressing common misconceptio...
Jan 15, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Send us a text 🎄 Fire Investigation INFOCUS Podcast - Episode 20: Christmas Special 🎄 - A festive episode released on Christmas Day, featuring hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens - Special celebration of reaching top 25% of all Buzzsprout podcasts and hitting 63 Apple Podcast reviews. Goal is 100 reviews before June! - Discussion of recent fire investigation cases, including Scott's experience with 8 fires in 36 hours **Technical Deep Dive:** - Detailed analysis of Christmas tree fire hazard...
Dec 25, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Send us a text In Episode 19 hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens welcome special guest Investigator Tom Beers, a firefighter and fire investigator with the Cleveland Heights Fire Department and board member for the Ohio Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. The episode kicks off with a delightfully entertaining discussion about regional accents and dialect differences, from the peculiarities of Midwestern pronunciations to the great "pop vs. soda" debate! The convers...
Dec 11, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 19
Send us a text In this episode of In Focus Fire, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens welcome Deputy Attorney General Lauren Guber for the debut of their new recurring segment "From the Legal Desk." Fresh from teaching a courtroom testimony class, Lauren shares invaluable insights from her unique perspective as a prosecutor, offering a fascinating glimpse into the intersection of fire investigation and legal proceedings. The conversation delves deep into crucial topics like confirmation bias in...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 18
Send us a text Part two of our riveting conversation with Investigator Buckingham delivers the long-awaited conclusion to our courtroom cliffhanger. After a deadlocked jury and a surprising nine-to-three split for acquittal on the aggravated arson charge, the prosecution regroups with amended charges. Buckingham walks us through the intense second trial, complete with expert witness drama, mental health defense tactics, and an unexpected courtroom revelation that nearly derailed the entire case....
Nov 14, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Send us a text In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens welcome Investigator Justin Buckingham, a Battalion Chief and fire investigator with over 27 years of fire service experience. Recording from the California Conference of Arson Investigators' 70th-anniversary seminar, Justin shares the first part of a compelling case study about the Hopkins Fire that occurred in September 2021. The case begins with Justin responding to what started as a small quarter-acre vegetation fire that ...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Send us a text In this episode of Fire Investigation INFOCUS, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive deep into the world of fire investigation myths and legends. With decades of experience between them (mostly Scott haha), they unravel long-held misconceptions and shed light on how the field has evolved. From the infamous myths about alligatoring to the truth about holes in floors, listeners are treated to an insider's look at the stories behind these debunked theories. The hosts explore how...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 1Ep. 15
Send us a text In episode 14 of the Fire Investigation INFOCUS Podcast. They begin by discussing recent events, including Chasity getting a new Maine Coon kitten named Furiosa. Scott mentions completing fire investigation training series in San Diego and starting another in Orange County. The hosts then dive into the main topic - an overview of key fire investigation standards and a new standard that was recently released. They discuss NFPA 921 (Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations), NFPA...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Send us a text In episode 13 we have part 2 of Burning Down Bias with Investigator Brown. We delve into the intricacies of a complex trash fire investigation. Our hosts expertly dissect the case, examining crucial evidence including surveillance footage, witness testimonies, and the suspect's history. The discussion highlights the importance of thorough scene examination and the critical role of timeline analysis in fire investigations. The episode takes an educational turn as we explore the sci...
Sep 18, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Send us a text In this episode of "Fire Investigation in Focus," hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive deep into the intricate world of arson investigation with guest Investigator Caleb Brown. Caleb, a former commercial pilot turned fire investigator, brings a unique analytical perspective to the field. The episode centers around a fascinating case study involving a trash fire in an apartment complex, showcasing the meticulous process of fire investigation. Listeners are taken step-by-step ...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Send us a text In this episode of Fire Investigation INFOCUS, hosts Scott and Chasity dive deep into the world of firefighter and fire investigator safety. They kick things off with a hilarious story about Chasity's Instagram followers mistaking an electrical arc photo for dead animal bones - talk about a shock! The dynamic duo then welcomes Dr. Jeff Burgess to discuss groundbreaking research on firefighter cancer risk. Dr. Burgess breaks down the science behind PFAS chemicals and their potentia...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Send us a text This episode of INFOCUS Podcast features hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens recording live in front of Scott's Investigation 1B class on their lunch break. The hosts dive into a range of topics starting with a discussion on recent cases and common misunderstandings in the field, such as the confusion between negative corpus and the process of elimination in report writing. The episode takes an interactive turn as the hosts field questions from the students, covering topics like...
Aug 07, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Send us a text In this engaging episode of "INFOCUS Podcast," hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens dive into a wide range of topics relevant to fire investigators. They start by discussing recent teaching experiences and the evolving landscape of fire investigation education. The conversation then shifts to the challenges of maintaining focus and efficiency in their work, touching on the unique perspective their ADHD brings to the field. The hosts address listener feedback and questions, partic...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Send us a text In this episode, hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens discuss the complexities and nuances of fire investigations alongside special guest, Police Officer Russell. Officer Russell shares his extensive background in law enforcement, including his unique journey to becoming an arson detective. The episode covers a range of topics from the importance of interagency communication between fire investigators and law enforcement (the awkward first date) to insightful advice on managing f...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Send us a text In this episode hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens delve into the frequently asked question: 'How do you become a fire investigator?' Joined by special guests Inspectigator Kate Rocha and Investigator Steve Hess, the discussion explores the various paths to entering the field of fire investigation, from traditional firefighting to unique alternative routes. Tune in for inspiring personal stories, insightful tips, and real-world experiences from both public and private sector fi...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Send us a text In Episode 6 they welcome Fire Marshal Pesqueira, also known as 'The Inspectigator.' They discuss various aspects of the fire service industry, focusing on both fire prevention and investigation. Pesqueira shares her journey and the dual role she plays as a Fire Marshal and an adjunct instructor at Santa Ana College. The episode covers topics including the importance of fire alarm systems, the distinctions between smoke alarms and detectors, and the challenges faced by fire inspec...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Send us a text In this episode, Chasity and Scott have the author of Kirk's Fire Investigation as our guest. They discuss Dave Icove's background, including his early interest in fire investigation sparked by getting a fire prevention merit badge as a Boy Scout. Dave shares his experience working for the FBI in the 1980s doing arson profiling and analysis using an early AI system called VAX that could process news reports and other data. He talks about interviewing incarcerated serial arsonists ...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Send us a text The guest on episode 4 was Investigator McCulloch, a fire captain and fire investigator, who shared his experience preparing for a jury trial involving a fire started by a transient person and causing fire damage to a concrete sidewalk. He detailed the challenges he faced, including the defense citing and questioning specifics from Kirk's Fire Investigation, like concrete discoloration caused by the fire, biases, and more. Ryan explained how he utilized AI to prepare for questioni...
May 15, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 4
