"There is no more open door by which you can enter into the study of natural philosophy than by considering the physical phenomena of a candle. There is not a law under which any part of this unversed is governed which does not come into play, and is not touched upon, in these phenomena."

-Michael Faraday

"The Chemical History of a Candle," 1848 and 1860

Fires, as chaotic and irreproducible as they may appear at first glance, can be understood through careful observation and the application of fundamental scientific principles. The outcomes from fire investigations are many, however, the most common are the settling of an insurance claim and/or the filing of civil or criminal litigation. All fire investigators, therefore, should proceed according to the best possible science and proceed with litigation quality in the investigation. Ultimately, the investigator risks exposure to scientific, professional and personal challenges not found in any other field of forensic science. 

Mr. Cousins has been investigating the origin and root cause of fires since early 1990 within Australia and more recently in the Philippines and Indonesia. He has appeared on numerous occasions as an expert witness providing testimony on fire origin and cause. He holds a NAFI Certification as a Fire and Explosion Investigator (Registration No: 10797-5274)