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Welcome Steve Davis!

Please help us welcome Steve Davis as a new fire investigator trainee with Fire Cause Analysis.

Steve Davis is based in Clovis, California, which will be a great asset for lower Central Valley fire investigations. Steve is an insurance special investigator, private investigator, and forensic lock smith with experience investigating more than 100 fires, including: incendiary, vehicle, structure and heavy equipment fires. Steve is a Director with the Central Valley Arson Investigators Association in California and has significant teaching and testimony experience. Steve comes to us with many years of experience working for insurance companies, as well as a prior law enforcement background. He holds a B.S. in Criminology from Fresno State University and an A.S. degree in Criminal Justice from the College of the Sequoias Steve’s passion is as a Custom Car and Street Rod Builder. He is also Certified as a Street Rod and Classic Car Appraiser.

Water Damage Claims… Unravel The Mystery! | 2025 CCNC | August 27, 2025

❗Mark Your Calendar❗
Don’t miss this Educational Session at the 2025 CCNC in Sacramento 🔽

“Water Damage Claims … Unravel The Mystery!”
📍 August 27, 2025 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (PDT)
📍Sacramento Hyatt – Classroom 3

Speakers:
Ulises Castellon, CPCU, Chief Executive Officer, Fire Cause Analysis
Josh Bastian, Engineer & Fire Investigator, P.E., NAFI-CFEI, Fire Cause Analysis

Session Description:
Water damage claims are the new severity peril for insurers. Fire Cause Analysis forensic experts will illustrate the variety of powerful technical tools available to the adjuster and their experts in the aftermath of a claim.
This workshop is designed to help develop the skills necessary to ensure a thorough and effective water damage claim investigation. Claims professionals will receive the tools and perspectives needed to: understand residential and commercial water systems, how to process a water damage claim scene, and how to safely collect evidence.
This engaging program will discuss water system failures using visually compelling case examples to demonstrate the current state of investigations, helping the claim’s professional to ensure complete and proper investigation of water-related claims.
The presentation includes extensive illustrations of water systems and component failures and step-by-step information on how to perform an investigation that will withstand rigorous challenges. Photographs, microscopy, and video reinforce how a claims professional can work with investigators//scientists/engineers to find the root cause of the water system failure. Cost savings and increased claims success are the results of understanding failure analysis.

Webinar: Arson Investigations that Sizzle! | July 16th, 2025

Ulises Castellon, CPCU, RPA, CEO of Fire Cause Analysis, is proud to present at the International Association of Special Investigation Units (IASIU) SW Florida Chapter meeting in partnership with with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

“Arson Investigations that Sizzle!”
📆 July 16th at 7:00 am PDT & (10:00 am ET)
📍 Via Webinar
🎓 1 CE Unit – Florida

Session Description:
This educational yet entertaining program provides SIU professionals with a multitude of insights and tips for navigating the hidden dangers lurking beneath the surface of an SIU investigation.
Among the realities of the pandemic was a measurable spike in fraudulent activity and arson. Investigating these cases has required a combination of ‘old school techniques’ and ‘new school tools’. This program combines decades of experience from the perspectives of: SIU investigations, SIU management and forensic expertise. Actual cases will be utilized to challenge the participant as to cost effective use of investigative tools, case direction and claim resolution.
The program is loaded with practical tips and solid “take aways” that can be immediately put to use by SIU professionals.

Learning Objectives:
1). Evaluate the reliability of experts’ methodology against appropriate professional standards, as illustrated with visually compelling forensic evidence in the form of videos, 911 calls, social media and photographs.
2). Identifying investigative “Forks In The Road”, and how the “Guiding Lights” can improve your decision-making and documentation of communications, both internal and external.
3). Illustrate various arson case studies that include: vehicles, vessels, residences and businesses that the pandemic spawned.