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McDowell Owens Fire & Explosion Investigation

McDowell Owens Engineering, Inc. is a multi-disciplinary, nationwide forensic fire investigations engineering firm. Since 1986, we have provided comprehensive, unbiased fire and explosion investigation analysis services to clients throughout the nation. Over the decades, we have worked with private and public sector clients in the legal, oil and gas, insurance, electrical, and petrochemical industries, among others.

Established leaders in the field, McDowell Owens professional engineers, scientists, and consultants are experts in fire and explosion analysis. Over the generations, our clients have come to rely on us to conduct thorough investigations to produce a multi-disciplinary analysis in the wake of any fire-related loss.

Cause and Origin Analysis in Fire & Explosion Investigation

McDowell Owens engineers have industry-based knowledge, project management skills, and analysis experience in fire investigations. From determining the origin to identifying the cause and/or causal factors, as often times there are a combination of events that lead to a failure and/or fire, we bring our expertise to every fire and explosion analysis we conduct.

Our team of uniquely qualified experts, engineers, and consultants has almost forty years of experience in fire and explosion analysis. Recognized for our reliability and accuracy, we have built a trusted reputation among our clients. We are always up-to-date on the latest research and fire forensics investigations, and we are committed to ethical professionalism.

What is a Fire Investigation?

A fire investigation is the application of dynamics in analyzing fire-related incidents. When a devastating fire occurs, our expert investigators set out to discover where and how the fire began and why it spread using evidence and conducted tests.

Over the decades, we have investigated thousands of fires related to industrial, commercial, residential, heavy equipment, vehicle, and marine cases. We pride ourselves on always being on the cutting edge of fire science.

McDowell Owens experts are always aware that there is much more at stake in most fire and explosion investigations than just property loss. Our findings can impact people’s lives far beyond monetary compensation.

We examine the physical attributes of the fire scene, then identify and collect physical evidence. Our investigation includes:

  • Fire Scene Inspection
  • Residential Fire Reconstruction and Analysis
  • Fire Debris Combustion By-Product Analysis
  • Wildland Fire Ignition and Spread Analysis
  • Fuel Gas System Analysis – Gas Mechanics and Diffusion
  • Full and Reduced-Scale Fire and Explosion Testing
  • Heat Transfer and Thermodynamic Analysis
  • Computer Fire Modeling
  • Origin & Cause Analysis
  • Smoke Detector Failure
  • Spot Fires and Ignition of Fuels by Hot Particles

    - Fire Testing

    - Failure Analysis

Types of Fire Investigations

From on-site investigation to evidence examination, testing, and analysis, we provide comprehensive fire investigation services supported by an in-depth knowledge of fire science. We also perform testing without expectation or confirmation bias, ensuring accurate, unbiased results.

McDowell Owens experts have investigated fire origins while providing engineering support for thousands of fire investigations, including:

    • High Rises
    • Automobiles
    • Wildlands
    • Marine Fires
    • Electrical Fires
    • Motorcycles
    • Factories
    • Commercial Buildings
    • Aircrafts of All Types
    • Residential Structures
    • Commercial Kitchens
    • Battery Fires
    • Post-Fire Analysis

Litigation Support Services

Since our founding in 1986, McDowell Owens experts have been involved in over 20,000 cases. We have extensive experience in every stage of the litigation process, from collecting and presenting evidence to expert witness testimony, forensic analysis, and post-litigation actions.

We provide dependable, unbiased litigation support that is comprehensive, yet accessible to non-experts. McDowell Owens teams combine investigative skills, scientific data, and courtroom experience for a thorough and understandable report.

With McDowell Owens, you will:

  • Receive assistance from experts with academic credentials and real-world courtroom experience to lend expertise and credibility to your case.
  • Gain a team that will always meet stringent court and internal deadlines. Our highly-focused approach delivers timely work.
  • Know that our experts have a deep understanding of and respect for ethical courtroom conduct.

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Fire and Explosion Analysis