Knott Laboratory provides forensic engineering and animation, Civil & Structural, and Fire & Explosion Investigation services to reconstruct accidents.


Fire and Explosion Investigations

Our engineers are experienced in residential, commercial and vehicle fires.


There is no substitute for comprehensive fire investigation and Knott Laboratory’s expert investigators complement “standard” investigations carried out by insurance adjusters, first responders and other forensic experts. At each and every fire investigation we collect scientific and engineering evidence that can be presented in a court of law following NFPA 921 and 1033 guidelines.

From presumably simple fires to complex arson investigations, Knott Laboratory engineers are experienced experts at investigating residential, commercial, manufacturing and hazardous worksites to determine the cause and origin of fires and explosions and clearly presenting this evidence in court of law. Our team also investigates carbon monoxide cases of all levels of complexity.

Structure Fires and Explosions


Knott’s fire and explosion investigators/engineers evaluate building, mechanical, and electrical systems to determine the cause of structure fires. Knott is skilled at determining the effects of ventilation and fire progression to effectively establish the origin. As engineers, Knott regularly reviews how fire code requirements effected the cause of the fire. Knott’s fire investigation team has years of experience with both civil and criminal fire cases including personal injury, system/component failures, subrogation, natural gas explosions, and product liability.

 

 

Vehicle Fires


Knott’s fire and explosion investigators/engineers can dissect complex vehicle fires via NFPA 921 and narrow down a specific origin. Vehicle fires are uniquely complex due to the high fuel load, hundreds of components, and relatively small compartment sizes. As trained forensic engineers, Knott can also recreate and evaluate fires that have resulted as part of a collision and determine which system failed and caused the fire, including those when federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) have been surpassed. Knott’s fire investigation team has countlessly determined the origin, cause, and liability of vehicle fires and aided in collecting damages for our clients.

 

 

Ancillary Evidence and Scene Services


As part of our fire investigations, Knott regularly documents, collects, and stores evidence for our cases that can be further examined in one of our laboratories or just maintained for future reference. Knott regularly collects appliances, mechanical and electrical components, and debris samples used to test for fire accelerants and their potential involvement in a fire or explosion.

Continuing Education Courses


Knott Lab Academy is pleased to offer customized Continuing Education seminars to you and your colleagues in our professional multi-media center or at your office. Our attendees regularly boast about our continuing education courses, and often feel more confident in their skills and effectiveness during fire and explosion investigations. We encourage you to reach out to arrange a course for you and your team or organization!

Experts in the Field

Our forensic engineers are experts in accident reconstruction, failure analysis and cause & origin. Our forensic engineers work directly with our in-house animation department to create state-of-the-art forensic animations for use in court, arbitration, mediation or settlement negotiations.

Stanley C. Stoll, M.Eng., P.E., DFE, CFEI, CVFI

CEO - Principal Engineer

(970) 640-5928

Eric A. Black, M.S., P.E., CFEI, CVFI

Senior Engineer/Fire Investigator

(303) 925-1900

Henry “Hank” V. Mowry, P.E., DFE

Director of Engineering

(303) 925-1900

View Samples of our Work

Since 1982, Knott Laboratory has been providing comprehensive forensic engineering and computer animation services to reconstruct accidents.

What others have to say about our work


High Profile Cases

Knott Laboratory has become the leader in forensic engineering and computer animation by investigating high profile cases and conveying our analysis effectively during litigation.