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New book

DB Associates new book 'A Practitioners Guide to Fire Investigation' is about to go to print, once published it will be on sale.

We would be interested to hear what our bloggers think of the cover colour?

Fire training room

DB Associates have secured a fire training room to be located at Brooklands College, Weybridge, Surrey. From March 2013 Fire investigation courses will be conducted firstly in the Forensic Science department and the practical element in the new fire house situated on campus. Students from China, Italy and the UK are already booking courses for March 2013.

This course is accredited by the Forensic Science Society for 33 CPD points for those already trained and in need of refresher training.

DB Associates prices are the best in the UK and members of the IAAI-UK or Forensic Science Society can expect a discount.

Police force in court for safety breaches

Greater Manchester Police and two of its firearms officers have appeared in court to face safety charges in relation to the death of PC Ian Terry.
Pc Terry, 32, was shot during a refresher training exercise involving the use of firearms at a disused warehouse in Newton Heath, Manchester on 9 June 2008. The officer who conducted the exercise, and an exercise safety officer, who assisted him in running the course, were at Trafford Magistrates’ Court yesterday (4 September). They applied for and were granted anonymity and so appeared in the court behind a screen.

GMP chief constable Peter Fahy also appeared in court to answer charges against the force of failing to ensure Pc Terry’s health, safety and welfare. According to a report  no pleas were entered by any party, and the case has been adjourned until 25 September for a preliminary hearing at Manchester Crown Court.

Serious fire-safety breaches cost Asda

National food retailer Asda Stores Limited has been ordered to pay more than £55,000 in fines and costs for committing serious fire-safety breaches at a store in Berkshire.

The inspection was carried out following a complaint, identified serious breaches to fire-safety regulations, including:

• two fire-exit doors chained and locked shut;
• obstruction of fire-escape routes;
• combustible items obstructing fire-exit doors and escape routes; and
• fire-exit doors wedged open.

The court also heard that the company had previously been served with a caution in July 2000 for two contraventions relating to other fire-safety regulations.

BBC Radio 4 - The Report, Forensic Science

In 'The Report'  on Radio 4 this week Hannah Barnes investigates the state of the forensic science industry in the UK. Earlier this year the national forensic science service (FSS) closed, leaving the UK as the only European country without a national service to analyse evidence for criminal investigations. How has the privatisation of the industry impacted our criminal justice system? We hear worries from legal professionals and forensic scientists that the system is increasingly fragmented meaning errors are falling through the cracks. We speak to those at the heart of cases where innocent people have spent time in jail because of DNA mix-ups in private labs

 

The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) UK Chapter.

The International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) UK Chapter.

The UK Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators was formed on the 31 January 2003 at an inaugural meeting at City Hall, London. Currently they have 900 members, with representation from the fire service, insurance industry, law enforcement, forensic scientists, private fire investigators, fire investigation training providers, and forensic science academic establishments.

 The main objectives of the IAAI-UK are: The preservation of life and property and prevention of crime for the public benefit, in particular by:
(a) developing and maintaining good practice in the investigation of fire and arson by ensuring the highest professional standards of competence;

(b) developing technical knowledge in fire and arson investigation techniques and procedures and making that knowledge available to professionals, service providers and the public.

Check out their web site www.iaai-uk.org

Consider joining if you are an investigator!

Recent recommendation recieved

"I hired DB Associates to deliver fire investigation for HM Prison Service the 2 courses run were to a very high standard with great knowledge the fire safety officers that attended came away with a far greater knowledge and understanding I would have no problems in recommending DB Associates in any of their work.”

Court or Tribunal Training

If either you or members of your organisation are required to attend a court or tribunal hearing this can be an extremely stressful and even, in some circumstances, traumatic experience.

This is made worse by inexperience and fear of the unknown. Our expert trainers and investigators have given many hours of witness and expert evidence.

They are well versed in court procedure and delivery of evidence. They are able to coach and prepare you to appear and give evidence making you a stronger and more credible witness and give you the opportunity to deliver quality evidence.

The whole process is backed by an experienced and efficient administrative team who will be available to advise and assist you to ensure that you achieve the best service available from DB Associates Ltd.

Please feel free to contact us about any of our training using the following e-mail link.

New book for Fire Investigators

DB Associates have produced a new book written as a practical guide to fire investigators, fully illustrated in full colour. 'The book is designed to not only aid new investigators at the the scene with clear diagrams and photographs, but also as an aid to experienced investigators'. Currently the book is at the printers but will be showcased on the DBA website shortly.

Conference

The Director of DB Associates Limited Mr Dale Brunt at the International Association of Arson Investigators conference seen here with the President Mr Peter Mansi

Barn destroyed at Vale of Glamorgan farm

August 20, 2012

Fire has destroyed a barn containing 500 bales of hay at a farm in the Vale of Glamorgan. The fire service was alerted to the blaze at Marcross Farm in Marcross near Wick at 02:33 BST on Monday. Crews from Llantwit Major, Bridgend and Cowbridge attended.

Fire destroys barn near Moniaive Primary School

An investigation has been launched into a fire which destroyed a large hay shed at a farm next to a village school in south west Scotland. Fire crews spent the night tackling the blaze which was discovered near Moniaive Primary School at about 19:00 ...

New training site

DB Associates Ltd to now conduct training at Brooklands College, Weybridge in Surrey. Training is commencing in September 2012.