The South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators (SCIAAI) is proud to announce the 1st quarter training program:
“Challenges to Expert Qualifications, Methodology, & Opinions”
Presented by, IAAI Board of Director’s Member, Mr. David E. Bridges, Esq., IAAI-CFI, IAAI-CI, (Meagher & Geer, P.L.L.P.)
Presentation Overview: During both criminal and civil litigation, an expert’s qualifications, methodology, and/or opinions may be challenged. The goal of the challenge is to exclude the expert and/or their opinions from trial. These challenges may occur at a Daubert or Frye hearing or some other motion to exclude the expert or their opinions/testimony. The consequences of the exclusion could impact the case and the expert’s viability in the future. Not surprisingly, counsel, experts, and courts throughout the country are making such expert challenges a hot topic in the industry.
This interactive block of instruction examines the framework for which such expert specific challenges arise in both public and private sector fire and explosion cases, litigators’ arguments to advance them, the public and private sector experts’ involvement in them, and the courts’ analytical framework to resolve them. We will address all of the participants’ knowledge and application of the scientific method. We also address guidelines and standards of care applicable to public and private sector fire and explosion origin and cause investigations, including National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) 1033, Standard for the Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigators (2014 Ed.), NFPA 921, Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations (2017 Ed.), and their abilities or inabilities to meet those guidelines and standards of care. We will also take participants through a whole host of public and private sector case studies to illustrate the courts’ decisions to admit, exclude, or limit expert testimony following the challenges in fire and explosion matters.
This training is scheduled for a minimum of six contact hours. Testing options will be discussed at the training event. SCIAAI member's attendance fee is free, and non-member attendance fee is $50.00. Chapter business meetings for the SCIAAI will be held immediately following lunch on February 12, 2020. Please note that lunch will not be provided.
Pre-registration is required. The cutoff date for registration is Monday, February 10, 2020. Non-member attendance must be pre-approved by the SCIAAI Board. Pending applicants pay “member fee” to attend. Those wishing to apply for SCIAAI membership can download an application from the website atwww.sciaai.org. Please contact the South Carolina Fire Academy at 803-896-9800 if you plan to stay on site.