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
View Samples of our Work
What others have to say about our work
Anonymous
I am a Community Association Manager and have had a few opportunities to work with Knott Labs and each time I could not be more impressed. They are very professional and down to earth, they really take into account their client and want to do what is best for them. When I need an engineer Knott (Cade) is always the first call I make!Anonymous
D.W., Attorney, California
I want to express our continued admiration for the quality of Knott Lab’s work both in accident reconstruction & in the preparation of demonstrative evidence. On the basis of your deposition testimony & the animation of the accident, the defense admitted the negligence of their employee, that it was the direct cause of the plaintiff’s injuries.D.W., Attorney, California
S.G., Attorney, Missouri
The work you did on the case was outstanding. Prior to going to the mediation, we sent your animation of what occurred to the defendants. I truly believe that your animation allowed the defense to see exactly what happened which, in turn, allowed them to appreciate their liability. Regardless, I think your work was outstanding and want to thank you.S.G., Attorney, Missouri
T.B., Attorney, Massachusetts
[Richard,].. Your assistance in the case has been invaluable. I am very pleased that you were able to rebut the findings of the two State Police officers and the defendants expert. No one else was sharp enough to focus on the oil spill in the photos and it was gone when the State Trooper did his final report.T.B., Attorney, Massachusetts
T.W., Attorney, Illinois
I wanted to personally thank you for all of your hard work and dedication in helping to get the case successfully resolved. If not for your hard work, your expert opinions and your keen analysis on this case, we would never have been able to settle it for the amount and/or in the time frame in which we did. It was truly a team victory.T.W., Attorney, Illinois