The South Carolina Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators
SCIAAI
and
The Rock Hill City Fire Department
are proud to announce the 2026,
2nd Quarter Training Seminar.
The instructor will be Dr. John J. Golder, IAAI-CFI, from Golder Forensic Group.
John is the owner of Golder Forensic Group LLC, a private fire and explosion investigation firm based in Wilmington, NC. He retired in 2017 after serving as a Supervisory Special Agent and Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). In his role as a National Response Team (NRT) and International Response Team (IRT) Supervisor, John led a team of experienced Special Agents, CFIs, Explosive Specialists, and subject matter experts in investigating significant fire, bombing, and explosion incidents worldwide. John was employed by the ATF for over 25 years, primarily as a Special Agent/CFI and Certified Explosives Specialist. Before becoming the NRT Supervisor, he was responsible for the training and certification of ATF's Certified Fire Investigators. He is an IAAI Certified Fire Investigator and has taught courses internationally at various institutions, including the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA), the National Fire Academy (NFA), the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), and many other venues around the world. In addition to his extensive investigative experience, John is a certified firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, as well as Master's Degrees in Forensic Science and Teaching, and a Ph.D. in Forensic Sciences. This training session is scheduled for a minimum of 8 contact hours. During the event, we will discuss various testing options.
The fee to attend the course is
$35 for members and
$100 for non-members.
Pre-registration is required, and you can register online at www.sciaai.org.
The registration deadline is Friday, May 8, 2026.
Attendance for non-members must be pre-approved by the SCIAAI Board.
Pending applicants will need to pay the member fee to attend.
Those interested in applying for SCIAAI membership can download an application from the website at
www.sciaai.org.
**Basic Presentation Outline**
This training is scheduled for a minimum of 8 contact hours. Additionally, testing options will be discussed during the training event.
The fee to attend the course is $35 for members and $100 for non-members. Pre-registration is required, and you can register online at www.sciaai.org.
The registration cut-off date is Friday, May 8, 2026. Non-member attendance must receive prior approval from the SCIAAI Board. Pending applicants must pay the member fee to attend. Those interested in applying for SCIAAI membership can download an application from the website at www.sciaai.org.
Basic Presentation Outline:
Exploding Candle Fires:
When investigating fires that may have involved candles, it is important to determine the conditions that allowed the candle to transfer enough energy to a fuel package, resulting in the spread of the fire. We will also address whether the candle operated as intended, particularly in cases where a malfunction may have caused the fire. This class will cover the manufacturing of candles, factors that can lead to candles "exploding," flashovers, and flames that exceed the normal operating parameters set by the manufacturer.
EFFECTIVENESS OF MIXED REALITY IN THE EDUCATION OF
FIRE ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATORS:
Fire investigation training is a systematic process that often requires years of continuous education to ensure that investigators possess the necessary knowledge and skills to conduct complex investigations. The instructional approach includes a combination of theoretical teaching and, when possible, practical exercises. However, obtaining opportunities for practical exercises has become increasingly challenging due to factors such as costs, safety and environmental concerns, and, more recently, restrictions related to COVID-19, which have halted many in-person and live fire scenarios. While technology has improved access to online training, the absence of practical exercises has put fire investigators at a disadvantage. Fortunately, advancements in technology have also enabled the inclusion of practical exercises in training. This study investigates the effectiveness of using extended reality (XR) in the education of fire investigators.
UNDERSTANDING SMOKE ALARM ACTIVATION:
Whether working as a fire investigator for a public or private entity, it is essential to understand smoke alarms and how they function. Familiarity with the laws regarding their required placement, the differences between new and older UL Standards, and the examination of various types of smoke alarms can help distinguish between a civil and criminal act by the owner or occupant, or potentially a manufacturer's defect. It is also important to know when a smoke alarm should be sent to a forensic laboratory for further examination to assess soot agglomeration or any defects.