You hear it all the time in the news about companies being under fire for releasing contaminants into the environment.. But have you ever wondered how they determine who is responsible for the contaminants? As experts in environmental forensics, we did an investigation to identify the source of a strange methane gas...
What Defines an Expert in Scientific Litigation Support?
To determine whether someone qualifies as an expert, we must first define the term. An expert is typically seen as knowledgeable and capable.. But what does that truly mean? Let me share a personal experience to illustrate this. When I purchased my first home, I needed to install a second water heater. Fortunately,...
How Accurate Are Your Lab Results, Really? – Get the best data for your litigation case
In my previous blog, I discussed how your laboratory measurements could be precise (the results are reproducible), yet inaccurate (the value is wrong).
Accuracy and Precision
Have you ever noticed that when you are on vacation, your mind relaxes but starts thinking of work-related stuff?It isn’t a bad thing. I know I am supposed to forget about work when I am away but by relaxing, interesting things come to mind at the weirdest times.That is what happened while remote camping back in the...
Find the Right Expert - 3 Things to Look for
In my last post, I discussed the difficulties in finding an expert. I presented some of the differences in the context of the word ‘expert’. The word means something different depending on your perspective and needs.
What Makes an Expert.. an Expert?
How hard is it to find an expert?
I am guessing… it's probably really hard. Not because there are not experts out there.
Dealing with Varying Results in PAH Quantification
There is an old adage, often referred to as Segal’s Law, that states: “A man with one watch knows what time it is, a man with two is never sure”. I use this a lot for my work when I am presenting. I am often given data where samples get sent to two different laboratories for the same analyses. It is usually done to...
Make sure your investigation has legal chain of custody
It is arson awareness and here is our third blog for arson investigators. One of the most important parts of a successful arson investigation and potential conviction (other than having video or photographic evidence of the arsonist) is the collection of samples and identifying the presence of an ignitable liquid...
Don’t let matrix get in your way
We recently discussed the issue of matrix and how the other stuff in your fire debris sample can be problematic for the laboratory in identifying ignitable liquid residue in your evidence samples.
Matrix is your enemy – in fire debris collection for arson investigations
This week is arson awareness week. I have been working on arson investigations and the collection and analysis of fire debris samples for over 10 years. I was brought into the field of work by happenstance, and it has been an amazing experience applying legal and environmental forensic chemistry to the field of arson...