SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
Vehicle and Structural Fire Investigations - Point of Origin and Fire Cause
Diesel Truck, Generator and Heavy Equipment Engine Failures
Railway Operational Failures
Automotive and Motorcycle Failures
Assessment of Motorcycle Dynamics
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND
- Fire Safety Engineering Certificate, University of Waterloo - pending
- The Apprenticeship and Tradesman Qualification Act – Automotive Technician, 1985
- Locomotive Engineer – Canadian National Technical Training Institute, 1984
- Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
- Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI)
- Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII)
Additional Courses
- Computer Fire Modeling, University of Waterloo, May 2012
- Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Fire Investigation, SAE, March 2010
- Residential Electricity for Fire Investigators, May 2009
- Interview and Interrogation Techniques, Reid Institute, 2009
- Advanced Fire, Arson and Explosion Training (NAFI), Recertified 2008
- National Seminar on Fire Analysis Litigation, (NAFI), Sarasota, FL, August 2008
- Computer Fire Modeling, (NAFI), Sarasota, FL, August 2008
- Fire Chemistry/Burn Patterns/Origin and Cause Determination, Ontario CAFI Seminar, June 2008
- International Symposium on Fire Investigation, Cincinnati, OH, June 2008
- Propane and Natural Gas Explosions, Ontario CAFI Seminar, November, 2007
- Electrical Fire Investigation, Dr. V. Babrauskas, Saskatchewan Fire Marshal, October 2007
- Fire Pattern Certification, Public Agency Training Council, Las Vegas NV, August 2007
- Electrical Power Distribution System Fires, Ontario CAFI Seminar, April 2007
- Scientific Fire Analysis, John Lentini, Regina, Saskatchewan, November 2006
- Investigation of Motor Vehicle Fires, IAAI CFITrainer, September 26, 2007
- Investigation of Electrical and Appliance Related Fires, IAAI CFITrainer, July 2006
- International Symposium on Fire Investigation, Cincinnati, OH, June 2006
- Golden Engineering X-ray Training Seminar, Centerville IN, May 2006
- Investigation of Gas and Electric Appliance Fires, Fire Findings, Benton Harbour MI, May 2006
- The Scientific Method for Fire and Explosion Investigation, IAAI CFITrainer, November 2005
- Vehicle Fire, Arson and Explosion Training, (NAFI), Eastern Kentucky University, 2005
- Advanced Fire, Arson and Explosion Training (NAFI), Toronto, ON. (1998 – Recertified 2003)
- OPP Explosion Recognition and Reconstruction Training, Aurora, ON, 2002
- Toronto Police Forensic Identification – Water-Related Death Investigator, 2001
- Dive Rescue International – Underwater Investigations, Toronto, ON, November, 2002
- ATI – Transport Canada – Private Pilot Ground School
- Office of the District Attorney – Cumberland County PA – Underwater Criminal Investigations, 2001
- Office of the District Attorney – Cumberland County PA – Forensic Arson Identification, 2001
EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND
Giffin Koerth Inc.
Senior Forensic Investigator & Principal
December 2005 – Present, Toronto
Senior Forensic Investigator, specializing in:
- Fire and Explosion Investigations involving heavy vehicles & commercial structures
- Failure Investigations involving heavy equipment, cars, trucks, trains and motorcycles
- Investigation of railway incidents
- Forensic Imaging and Restoration
Spectrum Media Works
1999 – 2005, Toronto
Forensic Imaging Principal, specializing in:
Fire and Explosion documentation employing still and videographic methods
Remote control and hostile environment techniques
Underwater videographic recording
X-ray and infra-red imaging
Canadian National Railways
Locomotive Engineer
1979 – 2000, Toronto
Locomotive Engineer specialized in:
Trained and qualified on all railroad operating rules, safety rules
Engineer Instructor
Worked as a locomotive Engineer handling heavy tonnage road freight trains
Worked as an Engineer Instructor with high-speed passenger and commuter trains
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES / ASSOCIATIONS
Associations
- Vice President, Canadian Association of Fire Investigators (CAFI)
- International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI)
- Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI)
- Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI)
- Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII)
- Canadian Certified Fire Investigator (CCFI)
- Technical Services Standards Association (TSSA) Advisory Board Member, Risk Reduction
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), Fire Safety Review Committee
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), NFPA 921 Advisory Committee
- Certified Underwater Criminal Investigator (PDIC)
- Canadian Association of Fire Investigators (CAFI)
- National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
- Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
- Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)
PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Speaking Engagements
- Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association, Fire Scene Safety, February 2008
- Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association, Digital Photography, February 2007
- International Association of Insurance Adjusters – Underwater Fraud Determination
- Numerous CFEI training seminars – NFPA 921 section 15.2 Forensic Imaging
- OPP Forensic Identification Training (Ident), Video Operations and Manipulation 2004
Court & Other Appearances
- Qualified as an expert witness in Fire Investigation in the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal (ORHT)
Publications
- “Digital Demystified”, An introduction to the technical operations of digital cameras used in forensic photography. Written for WP magazine, an Insurance Industry journal
- “When Lightning Strikes”, A technical insight into the circumstances surrounding lightning strikes on sailboats at sea. Published in print for the Hunter Sailing Association and delivered worldwide on the Internet
- One recommendation for addition or modification to NFPA 921, the Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations was submitted by Mr, Broad to the NFPA. It was adopted by the committee and included in the 2011 edition.
- A second recommendations for additions or modifications to NFPA 921, the Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations was submitted by Mr. Broad to the NFPA have been sent to the 921 Technical Committee for inclusion in the 2014 edition.
