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Stephen has a 40-year career as an Ontario Fire Marshal and Police Investigator, during which he has led or assisted in over 800 fire and explosion investigations. He has provided expert testimony as a Collision Reconstructionist and has specialized in vehicle and marine fire investigations. This skill set entails the identification, collection, preservation, and presentation of evidence for use in court, the documentation of scenes, and the interviewing of witnesses.
Fire and Explosion Investigator
Origin & Cause Inc.
Ancaster, ON
October 2018 – present
Fire Investigator
Office of the Fire Marshal
Ontario
2015 – October 2018
Homicide Investigator
Halton Regional Police Service
Halton, ON
2013 – 2015
Arson Investigator
Halton Regional Police Service
Halton, ON
2008 – 2013
Fraud Investigator
Commercial Crime Unit
Halton Regional Police Service
Halton, ON
2008 to 2013
Collision Reconstructionist
Halton Regional Police Service
Halton, ON
1992 – 2008
Police Constable
Halton Regional Police Service
Halton, ON
1985 – 1992
Human Remains Recovery
A four-day course on the identification and recovery of human remains from fire and crime scenes.
Forensic Anthropologist G. Olson B.A., M.Sc.
Ontario Fire College
May 2017
Investigation of Gas and Electric Appliance Fires
A four-day training seminar on how appliances and electrical components work, fail and cause fires. Including the examination of actual appliances and appliance components that have failed, causing fires and witness fire-causing demonstrations involving these products. Fire Findings Research Laboratory, Benton Harbour, Michigan,
November 2016
General Investigative Techniques Course
Police-led training on investigative resources and techniques, note taking, evidence collection and search warrants.
Police Learning Centre, Durham College, Oshawa, Ontario
September 2016
Instructor NFPA 1033 Fire Investigations Course
A one-week introduction to fire/explosion scene investigations to the standards of NFPA 1033. Supervised practical examination of eight cell burns and two vehicles for identification and interpretation of fire patterns, fire spread, and cause analysis. Provided lectures on documentation interviewing and report writing, debris removal and fire scene reconstruction, explosion dynamics, smouldering fires. Ontario Fire College
August 2016
Certified Fire Investigator – National Fire Protection Association 1033
Certification obtained through Office of the Fire Marshal upon successful completion of Advanced Fire Cause Determination Course (2016). Course independently accredited by I.F.S.A.C (International Fire Service Accreditation Congress).
July 2016
OFMEM Advanced Fire Cause and Determination Course
OFMEM in-house, 10-day training course that included presentations on fire chemistry/behaviour of fire, elevated fires, post-flashover ventilation analysis, compartment fires, fuel configuration, smouldering combustion, self-heating of inorganics and organics, interviewing and statements, CVs and expert court testimony, fire dynamics of human remains, understanding electrical systems and appliances, fire protection systems, fire modeling, fuel systems, clandestine labs, explosion dynamics. Students assigned to complete a case law analysis, present a one hour lecture on an advanced fire dynamics topic, and to prepare and conduct a live demonstration burn. Testing included a 4-hour examination, defending their findings for a completed fire investigation, a 1-hour peer-reviewed presentation, and a completed 1,000 – 1,500 word essay.
March 2016
OFMEM Joint Fall Training
A four-day in service training including lectures on Fall Arrest Training, Laser Mapping Systems, Exhibit Processes, Explosive Positive Pressure Ventilation Tactics, Home Sweet 3D software training, and Case Reviews of Explosion (Pahor) and Arson (Irish).
Ontario Fire College, Gravenhurst, ON
November 2015
Fire Scene Assessment
A two-day training seminar on initial scene investigation and collection of evidence, the scientific method, scene safety and fire pattern analysis. Practical exercise: Assessment of four burn cells to identify/interpret fire patterns and determine origin, cause and ignition sequence for, 1) Ignition from smouldering cigarette on chair, 2) Incendiary ignition of contact cement with trailer, 3) Waste paper basket ignition progression to bedding material, 4) Incendiary ignition disguised as cooking fire.
Toronto Arson Task Force, Toronto Fire Academy,
September 2015
NFPA 1033 Fire Investigations Course
A one week introduction to fire/explosion scene investigations to the standards of NFPA 1033. Supervised practical examination of eight cell burns and two vehicles for identification and interpretation of fire patterns, fire spread, and cause analysis. Written examination at conclusion.
Ontario Fire College,
August 2015
OFMEM – Fire Investigator Annual Training
A five-day training seminar covering topics and practical exercise assessment of five burn cells to identify/interpret fire patterns and determine origin and cause. Peer Case studies of dryer fire, Sunrise Propane explosion scene. Practical testing/experiments in alternative ignition sources and sequences.
Ontario Fire College
July 2015
OFMEM Fire Investigator Training- Fire Code Training
A one-day lecture on content and application of current Ontario Fire Code. Included tour of condo development and review of its fire safety systems.
Midhurst, Ontario,
July 2015
International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
47 hours of accredited training in Fire investigation and related topics: Basic electricity and electrical safety; explosion dynamics; understanding fire through the candle experiments; fire investigator scene safety and fire protection systems; fundamentals of residential building construction; physical evidence at the fire scene; post-flashover fires; residential electrical and natural gas systems; a ventilation-focused approach to the impact of building structures and systems on fire development; an analysis of the Station Nightclub fire.
June 2015
OFMEM – Fire Investigator Annual Training
A five-day training seminar covering topics such as practical and theoretical training in basic fire chemistry, fire dynamics and explosion dynamics; scientific method; origin and cause determination; flashover and ventilation.
Ontario Fire College
June 2015
OFMEM Fire Investigation New Recruit Training Program
Topics included: Corporate orientation; district office administration; vehicle administration; practical and theoretical training in basic fire chemistry; basic fire and explosion dynamics; scientific method; origin and cause determination; flashover and ventilation; scene management; fire scene safety; note taking; report writing; digital photography; fire protection and prevention act; Ontario fire code; fire safety issues; predominant purpose and incident command. Lessons were presented both in a classroom and on-scene at fire grounds.
May 2015
Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator – NAFI
A one week course and examination on fire investigation, origin and cause to the standards of NFPA 921.
February 2010
Ancaster
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