FIRE INVESTIGATION &
CONSULTING SERVICES
WHAT WE DO
FIRE INVESTIGATION
This includes all structure fires, vehicle and equipment fires, wildland and agricultural fires, oilfield fires, explosions, etc.
CONSULTATION
Case review and strategic litigation counsel is oftentimes an important aspect of courtroom preparation. With over 38 years of combined experience in firefighting and investigation (both criminal and civil), Black & Associates is well equipped to provide these services, as well as expert testimony when needed.
EVIDENCE STORAGE
Quite often during the course of fire investigations, it is necessary to collect and store evidence. Upon request we can provide short to long-term storage for a wide range of evidentiary items at rates consistent with industry standards.
PEER REVIEW
Because peer review is pertinent to the scientific methodology that fire investigations entail, Black & Associates is available to provide this service.
ENGINEERING
We routinely work alongside other experts in the industry, including electrical and mechanical engineers who specialize in the analysis and identification of specific fire-initiating equipment malfunctions. Accordingly, Black & Associates can provide for the inclusion of these services upon request.
Providing Fire Investigation and Consulting Services to the Private Sector since 1997
Hello and thank you for your consideration in retaining Black & Associates for your investigative and/or consulting needs.
It is my sincere belief that the very foundation of competent fire origin and cause determination is an individual’s ability to accurately interpret burn patterns in conjunction with overall damage characteristics. Although there are scientific principles involved in this process, at its most advanced levels it is, in reality, both art form and science.
In addition, one of the primary factors involved in this art of fire cause determination is the investigator’s ability to visualize the blaze as it occurred. It has been my experience that investigators with a firefighting background are most adept to this skill. This is due to the fact that a firefighter has the opportunity to witness a fire as it occurs from the “inside out.” Accordingly, such experience enhances the ability to visualize fire conditions that result in specific fire patterns and overall damage characteristics.
At Black & Associates, all of our investigators possess this firefighting background as well as extensive experience in fire cause determination.
J. MICHAEL BLACK
President & Chief Investigator
J. Michael “Mike” joined the Oklahoma City Fire Department in 1981. After serving as a firefighter for seven years and rising to the rank of Sergeant, he tested into the Fire Marshals office and was assigned to the Fire Investigation Unit, otherwise known as the “Arson Squad.” His training for this position included obtaining certifications in fire investigations from both Oklahoma State University and the National Fire Academy. He also attended Police Academy and was commissioned as a peace officer. In this capacity, he was promoted to Captain, and in 1991 rose to the rank of Major. Mike finished out his public sector career with the Arson Squad, retiring in 2006 after 25 years (3 weeks and 1 day) of service.
Early in his career with the Arson Squad, Mike was appointed to head task force investigations that involved the participation and coordination of law enforcement and other representatives of various agencies. This experience in case coordination continued on numerous subsequent occasions during his fire department career and resulted in successful prosecutions. In addition to these activities, Mike also has extensive experience working with a multitude of law enforcement agencies including state and local police departments, county sheriffs, OSBI (Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation), Secret Service, ATF, and FBI. This includes his involvement in the Murrah Building Bombing investigation in 1995.
In 1992, while still employed with the fire department, Mike began conducting private sector investigations on his days off for Scott & Associates of Oklahoma City. In 1997 he formed his own company, Black & Associates, and continues to conduct fire investigations and consulting services to this day.
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CONTACT
BLACK &
ASSOCIATES
OUR ADDRESS
P.O. Box 892563 Oklahoma City, OK 73189-2563
Email: jmichael@blackandassociatesok.com
Tel: 405-973-4255
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