Tuesday 10 September 2013

The Role Of A Fire Expert Witness

By Cecile Ingram


Fire can quickly spread and cause significant damage. By the time it can be controlled, there might not be much left to your office or your home. Because it can consume many kinds of materials, all of your belongings could be lost. Businesses and homeowners stand to lose a lot of money in one such event. This is why a fire expert witness is important.

Because this event is so damaging, owners and authorities will usually make an effort to discover what caused it. It could have been due to one of the appliances being left on or there could have been something wrong with the wiring. A candle may have been left behind. In some cases, it could have started because someone made it happen.

With the help of a skilled investigator, the cause can be determined. This will be very important when a court has to make a decision. Through investigation, one will be able to determine if the flames were deliberately started or not. If arson did occur, then the parties responsible will have to be identified and held liable.

It can mean that someone may be entitled to compensation, when insurance is involved. The opinion of an investigator will certainly make a difference. Insurance providers will want to know if the event happened as stated and was not intentional so that one could get money. The expertise of these investigators can also be used to determine the amount of losses.

To provide a testimony, the investigator will gather evidence and information from various sources. He will have to rely on recommended methods. By carefully documenting the investigation, he can ensure that it will be accepted. The investigator will also have to cover all his bases if he wants to convince his audience.

The testimony he provide may support the argument of one of the parties. His findings may also match what other people are saying so this is also one way of establishing what happened. Aside from looking for the cause, he will also be able to determine if everything had been done to prevent such an occurrence.

Because these testimonies are highly significant, not all who want to become such a witness will be deemed acceptable. It has to be shown that the person chosen has the knowledge, experience or skill to do what needs to be done. The lawyers will usually ask him about his qualifications first to ensure that his opinion is credible.

There are numerous companies that offer the services of such a professional. You will have to do research so you can ensure that your candidate has the right qualifications. Assess a number of candidates and compare what they have to offer. This should help you make an informed decision.

A fire expert witness is someone who has the knowledge and experience to determine what caused the burning. Such investigators will be helpful when a case is being tried. They can tell if it was intentional or if it was an accident. They can provide more information so that compensation can be provided to the victims and the persons responsible can be held liable.




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