Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast
Welcome to the Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast, where we dive deep into the fascinating world of origin and cause investigations. Join hosts Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens, experienced fire investigators, as they discuss all things fire investigation from the latest techniques, case studies, and challenges faced by professionals in this critical field. Through a community effort, this podcast aims to create a platform for investigators to learn from one another and grow together. Whether you're a seasoned investigator, a first responder, or simply curious about the science behind fire investigations, this bi-weekly podcast will provide valuable insights, expert interviews, and practical tips to enhance your knowledge and skills. Tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments in fire investigation and join the conversation.
Fire Investigation INFOCUS podcast
S.2 Ep.21- Forcing the Narrative During Interviews Can Burn Credibility.
In this episode, spooky season banter quickly gives way to a masterclass on interviewing for fire investigation: open-ended vs. leading questions, letting witnesses talk without interruption, taking notes without breaking rapport, and using scene walk-throughs to correct memory gaps and build timelines. We unpack subrogation in plain English, why early investigator deployment is value-add, and how to avoid bias from client synopses. Real cases include a mid-slope wildland start clarified by witness video, an LA industrial strip with two separate fires hours apart, and a garage Li-ion incident with practical safety takeaways. Tools mentioned include PLAUD for transcription and LLMs for formatting—not for conclusions. We close with “Use It in a Sentence” on ambient, a roundup of WTF Trainings, and a two-fer homework: interview vs. interrogation—what’s the difference?
Resources mentioned (non-sponsored)
- PLAUD (Plaud Note) – audio capture/transcription used to create interview transcripts.
- LLMs (e.g., Gemini/ChatGPT/Claude) – used only to format summaries from transcripts.
WTF Trainings (as mentioned on the show)
- Alabama ATC 2025 — Oct 27–29, Orange Beach, AL
- Florida IAAI Chapter (Lake Buena Vista) — Nov 3–6
- Idaho Chapter Annual Conference — Nov 4–6, Twin Falls, ID
- Hispano Americano ATC 2025 — Nov 11–14, Santa Martha, Colombia
- Ohio IAAI Investigation Seminar 2025 — Nov 12–13, OH
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