Gregory J. Quinn
Director, Meteorology Practice
Get to know the expert
Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
As someone who trains others in your discipline, what’s the most common mistake you see less experienced investigators make in meteorology?
Not considering (or knowing) datasets exist and applying the data from a forensic analysis perspective for the specific client. I see common mistakes or missing analysis because an expert did not know how to obtain and/or interpret radar data, for example.
When a client comes to you with a weather forecasting matter, what information do you wish they had preserved or documented from the outset?
Specific to premises liability, I wish the client had preserved and documented the specific object (umbrella, shade structure, etc.) that got carried by the wind and injured a patron/employee. Likewise, not initiating interviews immediately, or as soon as possible, after the incident occurs. I have found that the interviews of witnesses are not done completely and the objects that cause the injury are not preserved.
What’s one piece of advice you find yourself giving clients over and over again?
If weather information is simply for background context, you do not need a forensic meteorologist. If weather data interpretation and/or weather data analysis is required to formulate opinions regarding an investigation, a forensic meteorologist is essential. Knowing what happened, supportive or not to a matter, is critical to resolving a dispute. And not just a meteorologist, you need a forensic meteorologist to best represent the client.
Background
Mr. Gregory Quinn holds a B.S. in Atmospheric Sciences with an emphasis on Hydrometeorology and an M.S. in Atmospheric Physics with an emphasis on Climatology.
Mr. Quinn has extensive experience in weather forecasting. He has been employed as an on-site weather consultant for professional and amateur golf tournaments at various locations within the U.S. and abroad.
His post-graduate studies included the collection and analysis of historic weather data. Mr. Quinn has also worked as a teaching assistant for college-level weather forecasting classes. As an experienced public speaker, he has participated in countless taped and live interviews for local, national, and cable television and several lightning safety specials produced by The Weather Channel and PGA Tour Productions.
In Mr. Quinn’s forensic consulting work, he frequently utilizes WeatherPath™, Rimkus’ in-house weather data application, to provide visual representations and develop analyses of catastrophic weather events. He has collected and analyzed data for clients involved in weather-related lawsuits and has experience in federal trial proceedings. In addition to his forensic consulting work, Mr. Quinn is employed as a sales representative and research and installation consultant for lightning prediction systems for recreation facilities, government research and test facilities, and mining operations.
Education and Certifications
• Atmospheric Sciences, B.S.: University of Arizona (1995)
• Atmospheric Physics (Emphasis in Climatology), M.S.: University of Arizona (1998)