Paul M. Carney, IAAI-CFI
Senior Fire Consultant
Get to know the expert
Expert QuestionS & AnswerS
How do you keep accidental and intentional causes on the table until the physical evidence clearly supports one explanation?
Keeping an open mind as the investigation proceeds is most important. Data collection and interpretation is ongoing throughout the investigation process. Once all the data is collected and analyzed, forming and testing possible hypotheses begins and concludes with choosing the final hypothesis that scientifically explains how the evidence supports that hypothesis and fails to support the alternative hypotheses.
Having served as a firefighter, how does that firsthand experience with fire behavior influence the way you investigate fire origin and cause?
My experience in firefighting provides me with inside knowledge of how fire, heat, and smoke move within a structure or vehicle. Having been present immediately after extinguishment has given me unique perspective and ability to interpret postfire fire patterns.
What is something about fire and explosion science that would surprise most people outside the field?
I think people assume that evidence is completely destroyed during the event when in fact the opposite is true. Fire patterns and other physical evidence usually survives.
Background
Mr. Paul M. Carney holds an A.A. in Fire Science and is a Certified Fire Investigator through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI). He is also a Certified Fire Investigator in the state of Missouri and holds private investigator licenses in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Iowa.
As a firefighter for 25+ years and a private investigator for 21 years, Mr. Carney has experienced a wide range of fire and explosion incidents involving residential and commercial structures and vehicles from the time of the incident alarm, through fire suppression and subsequent origin and cause investigations.
Mr. Carney is also very knowledgeable about fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, fire department suppression operations, hazardous materials incidents, building construction practices and plans, and fire and explosion origin and cause investigations.
Education and Certifications
- A.A. Fire Science: Johnson County Community College (1995)
- Emergency Medical Technician: Kansas Highway Patrol (1988)
- Certified Fire Investigator: International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
- Certified Fire Investigator: State of Missouri
- Certified Fire Investigator: State of Kansas (2001-2005)