Fire Origin and Cause Experts | Engineering Experts

Our Fire Investigation Experts

Genesis Forensics employs highly qualified origin and cause and engineering experts for a customized approach to your fire investigation and failure analysis needs throughout the United States and Canada. Our investigators/engineers are court-qualified and well-respected experts in their field. Our in-house team approach to investigations sets us apart, adding a level of scrutiny not often found with other large expert firms or sole practitioners. Our experts rigorously follow NFPA 921, NFPA 1321, and NFPA 1033 guidelines for all investigations by using a standardized technical review process and proper application of the scientific method. As one of the only fire investigation and forensic engineering firms in the industry with an ISO 17020 accreditation, Genesis Forensics is your go-to for your complex and challenging cases. Please submit an assignment or call (508) 917-6312.

Michael Stoddard, MEng, CFI, CFEI

Managing Partner, Fire & Failure Analyst

Michael Stoddard

Master of Engineering: Advanced Safety Engineering and Management, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Bachelor of Science: Fire Science - Arson Investigation, University of New Haven
Associate of Science: Criminal Justice – Administration, University of New Haven
Associate of Science: Electromechanical Technology, Quinsigamond Community College
Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Certified Fireplace and Chimney Inspector, Fireplace Investigation, Research & Education Service (F.I.R.E)
Firefighter I/II, National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications
Public Fire Educator I, National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications
Haz-Mat: Operational Level, Massachusetts Firefighting Academy
UL Standards Technical Panel Member: Clothes Dryers and Washing Machines/Extractors (Residential & Commercial)
Health and Safety Committee Member: International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Member: American Society of Safety Professionals

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Michael Stoddard is a consulting expert with over 20 years of experience in the claims and legal industries and specializes in design defect cases and product/equipment safety. He has been engaged as a fire origin & cause investigator/failure analyst on thousands of cases. He has provided extensive expert testimony in over 45 depositions and is court-qualified as an expert witness with experience in 5 trials. Additionally, Mr. Stoddard has 20 years of firefighting experience and is a Certified Fireplace and Chimney Inspector. He is well-versed in scene inspections, lab exams, documentation, testing, evidence collection, report writing, and testifying and is regarded as a premier clothes dryer fire expert. He has also been following recent fire trends involving inadvertent activation of kitchen ranges equipped with front-mounted controls. They are being investigated and warrant further analysis and assessment for fire risks and design safety.

Jeremiah Pratt, PE, CFI, CFEI, CVFI

Managing Partner, Fire & Failure Analyst

Jeremiah Pratt

Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Professional Engineering License, Massachusetts (54592) and Rhode Island (12669)
NFPA 1033 Nationally Pro Board Certified Fire Investigator
Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Firefighter I/II, National Board of Fire Service Professionals
Fire Instructor, National Board of Fire Service Professionals
Fire Officer I, National Board of Fire Service Professionals
Emergency Medical Technician – Basic, National Registry 1997, Massachusetts 2013

Jeremiah Pratt graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2000 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and worked in industry designing products for both the commercial and Department of Defense sectors for 14 years. His experience includes a wide range of product systems, including microwave systems, military technology, utilities, robotics, residential and commercial building wiring, magnetism, semiconductor processing equipment, FDA-approved medical devices, automation systems and fire detection systems. Mr. Pratt has been engaged as an origin & cause fire investigator/failure analyst for over 10 years, has provided expert testimony in over 10 depositions and arbitrations and has testified in court as an expert witness. He has recently completed the IAAI Marine Fire Investigation course. Additionally, Mr. Pratt has over 25 years of firefighting experience with extensive classroom and live burn training. He is currently the Massachusetts District 7 Fire Investigation Unit Training Coordinator and an instructor of the Fire Investigation: Electrical Systems course for the National Fire Academy. He is well-versed in scene inspections, lab exams, documentation, testing, evidence collection, report writing, and testifying and is regarded as a premier electrical engineering analyst.

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Adam Holloway

Adam Holloway, BS, CFI, CMI

Fire & Engineering Analyst

Bachelor of Science in Fire, Safety, Engineering Technology with an Emphasis on Fire, Arson & Explosion Investigation,, Eastern Kentucky University
Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Certified Marine Investigator (CMI), International Association of Marine Investigators (IAMI)
FAA Licensed UAS Pilot (Unmanned Aierial Systems)
NFPA 921, CHapter 29 (Marine) Working Group Member
Marine Fire Investigation Course and Endorsement Development, Sub-committee CHair and Lead Instructor, International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM). Committee E58 on Forensic Engineering Member
National Academy of Forensic Engineers Affiliate Member
Actively Pursuing: Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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Adam is a 2005 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Fire, Safety and Engineering Technology with an emphasis on Fire Arson and Explosion Investigation. Since his graduation, he has been conducting origin and cause investigations for private industry; for three years with an independent firm and for the last 17 years at an international insurance carrier. Mr. Holloway has conducted origin and cause investigations across the United stated including several large profile structure and marine related losses. As a specialist in marine fires, Mr. Holloway was the co-developer of the International Association of Arson Investigator’s (IAAI) Marine program, its endorsement program and is currently a lead instructor and the endorsement sub-committee chair. Mr. Holloway is a FAA UAS (drone) pilot and has flown missions across the country. Mr. Holloway has provided expert testimony in both criminal and civil matters. He is well-versed in scene inspections, lab exams, documentation, testing, evidence collection, report writing, and testifying and is regarded as a premier marine fire and explosion analyst.

Chis Rees

Christopher Rees, BSEE, Ph.D., CFEI, ECT

Fire & Engineering Analyst

Ph.D. in Bioinformatics, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Master of Science in Bioinformatics, George Washington University, Washington, DC
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Evidence Collection Technician (ECT), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)

Chris completed his Ph.D. in Bioinformatics in 2016 and has spent the better part of 20 years with a focus on data analytics. His attention to detail and academics lends to his ability to perform thorough investigations with the quality Genesis Forensics is known for. Chris has supported the Genesis Forensics team since June of 2020 and came on board full time in November 2021. A very quick study, he earned his CFEI in February of 2022. Mr. Rees has rapidly gained significant experience in scene inspections, lab exams, documentation, and evidence collection and is regarded as an extremely thorough origin and cause expert. With his academic and prior industry experience, he has proven to be a significant asset in the team.

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Robrt Silver, Jr., CFEI, ECT

Robert Silver, Jr., CFI, CFEI, ECT, FIT

Fire Analyst

Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)
Evidence Collection Technician (ECT), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Fire Investigation Technician (FIT), International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
Public Fire Educator, Massachusetts Fire Academy
Public Information Officer, Massachusetts Fire District 7
Fire Prevention Officer Level I, Massachusetts Fire Academy

Robert has been with the Millbury (MA) Fire Department for over 30 years, working his way from Recruit, Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and is currently the Deputy Chief of the department. He has been involved in fire investigation for over a decade, receiving certificates from the Massachusetts Fire Academy and the National Fire Academy and initiating the Massachusetts District 7 Fire Investigation Unit Team. A graduate of the Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School in Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning and the HVAC Certificate Program from Northeast Institute of Technology in Boston, Robert has a strong knowledge base of HVAC, electrical, and refrigeration equipment in the commercial and residential field.