Thursday, April 11, 2024 (8:00am - 12:00pm) (Celebrity 4)

The purpose of this course is to expand beyond the two biases that are specifically named in NFPA 921. There are numerous other biases that can undermine the scientific method. This presentation is to educate investigators from both the private and public sectors the awareness of the many different biases that may potentially become an issue if brought to a court room. This course will also provide the investigator with tools needed to review hypothesis and conclusions through the lens of the different biases. To provide a completely objective analysis and be prepared to defend conclusions potentially raised in legal actions.

Chris Elrod

Is currently employed with the Wilmington Fire Department as a Captain in the Fire Marshal’s office for the past 20 years and has been in the fire service in various capacities for 43 years. Mr. Elrod holds a Bachelor of Science in Fire and Safety Engineering Technology specializing in arson investigation from Eastern Kentucky University. With over 40 years of experience and has investigated several thousand fires throughout his career. He has worked in both the public sector as a Fire Marshal as well as the private sector performing fire and explosion investigations through the insurance industry. Mr. Elrod is a Certified Fire Investigator through the State of North Carolina as well as through the International Association of Arson Investigators. Mr. Elrod is a Certified Fire Investigation Instructor through the International Association of Arson Investigators. He has testified as an expert witness in criminal arson prosecution as well as product liability law suits. He is a member of the NC Chapter of the IAAI, a past President and Life Member and is currently a member of the Board of Directors for the IAAI. Mr. Elrod has been a presenter to numerous agencies throughout the Country and Canada in the areas of fire investigation. Those agencies include The North Carolina Justice Academy, The North Carolina Insurance Crime Information Exchange, The International Association of Special Investigative Units, The International Association of Auto Theft Investigators, The International Association of Arson Investigators, and The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He has also been a guest speaker in the curriculum of George Washington University in the area of bias and recognition of biases for the master’s program of para-legals. There have been numerous individual workshops for various insurance companies as well as fire investigation teams throughout North Carolina.