2007 Seminar Instructor

Steven R. Mackaig 

Steven Mackaig has been a fire investigator since 1982 starting his investigation career with the San Diego Fire Department, Metro Arson Strike team. He is a certified fire investigator with the State of California and the International Association of Arson Investigators. He has conducted over 3 thousand fire investigations and holds a specialty in vehicle fire investigation.  Mr. Mackaig has lectured on the subject throughout the United Stated States, Canada and Mexico and testified as an expert over 100 times in both civil and criminal cases. He has test burned over 100 vehicles in the study of vehicle fire behavior.

 Mr. Mackaig is currently a private fire investigator and owns Steven R. Mackaig & Associates with his company located in the San Diego area. This company provides all types of fire cause investigations, testing and consulting in post fire cases.

Vehicle Fire Investigation

This will be an intensive 2-day class with lecture and a field portion including hands-on vehicle fire cause investigation.

Topics will include:

·         Step by step scientific approach to vehicle fire investigation

·         Learning vehicle burn patterns and fire behavior indicators

·         Accidental fire causes & component defect

·         Arson fire causes & motives

·         Documentation and reports

·         Indicators of vehicle theft and vehicle ignition systems

·         Current trends and patterns of vehicle fires