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The QAFI was formed in 1990 and formally became the Queensland Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators in 1993. In 1996, the QAFI name change was adopted to more accurately reflect the nature of the Associations' activities. The QAFI has provided a regular opportunity for the various government and industry bodies involved in the investigation of fires and fraud, to meet and work together on various projects. Over the years we have seen a significant improvement in the cooperation between the insurance industry, private and scientific investigators, Queensland Police Service (QPS), Queensland Fire and Rescue Authority (QFRA) and the Department of Mines and Energy (DME) - Electrical Safety Office. The regular activities of the QAFI are centred on bi-monthly meetings (where a variety of speakers give presentations on various topics relating to fire investigation and fraud), the production of newsletters and article contributions to the IAAI Australian Chapters national magazine, The Firepoint Journal. The QAFI also has a strong history of performance in providing high profile, quality training seminars and conferences. A brief overview of major QAFI training initiatives to date include: |
Training & Educational History |
QAFI - Queensland Association of Fire Investigators |
2002 March 8 - 9 "Prevention is Better than Cure" Conference |
Copyright 2010 QAFI GPO Box 1705 Brisbane Queensland 4001 Australia |
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2000 "House Warming" Workshop" - Moggill, Brisbane. A one-day training seminar was held on-site at Moggill encompassing fire scene examinations of an accelerated fire and a slow combustion fire in two similar rooms, backdraft/flashover demonstrations and identifying generic problems with the older "Queensland" style homes. |
1998/1999 "The Witness" Training Package - Original footage from the 1997 "Coronial Inquest", was used together with additional footage to develop a training video entitled "The Witness", which was released in October 1999, in VHS format. The video provided an overview of the operation of a coronial court and instructive information in relation to being a witness. The video was complimented by a training workbook to form a complete training package. |
1997 "Coronial Inquest" - Brisbane Magistrates Court - Delegates watched and learned how the Coroner, Mr Gary Casey conducted an inquiry into a domestic house fire in which there was serious human injury and an unclear fire cause. This was an ideal opportunity for delegates to watch the evidence unfold as some of Brisbane's Barristers cross-examined key witnesses from the Police, Fire Services, Electrical Safety Division, Private Sector and Insurance Industry. The entire day's proceedings were recorded on film to enable a video to be produced at a later date. |
1996/7 "Operation Bright Spark" Video release - As a result of the filming of the fires conducted during "Operation Bright Spark" a 30 minute training video was produced highlighting a laundry fire, cooking oil fire, domestic sprinkler testing and the development of a house fire. The video was provided to delegates and later released for sale. Approximately 200 copies have been distributedin Australia, New Zealand and the U.S.A. |
1996 "Operation Bright Spark" - Bellbowrie, Brisbane - Operation Bright Spark focused on the electrical industry, highlighting the investigation and prevention of electrical fires. Participants were able to view a large number of static displays, provided by appliance manufacturers,demonstrating the protective measures taken to prevent fires in appliances. Other displays explained various investigative techniques. A fully furnished brick and tile home was systemically destroyed by a number of controlled fires. Remote observation of the fires and subsequent detailed examination of fire damage was again 1996. |
1994 "Mock Arson Trial" - Banco Court - Supreme Court Building, Brisbane. - Presiding: Mr Justice Derrington - Prosecuting: Deputy Director of Prosecutions, Mr Brendan Butler - Defending: Barrister, Mr Adrian Gundelach A moot court case was held in the "Banco" Supreme Court. The case provided participants with the opportunity to observe first hand the workings of an arson trial and the evidential processes at work. The exercise was given an extra air of reality by its location and the generous participation of a Supreme Court Justice and Barristers in presentation of the exercise. |
2010 October 28 "Electrical Fire Investigation & Live Burns" Seminar This one day seminar held in Brisbane at the Queensland Combined Emergency Services Academy comprised a half day addressing the theory of electrical fires and a half day of live burn demonstrations / examination of fire scenes. The topics coverd included Photovoltaic (PV) solar panel systems fire hazards; Electrical theory and ignition sources; Evidence for liability and insurance recovery; Live burns of electrical appliances and Live room burn involving electrical equipment followed by walk through scene examinations. |
1993 "Fire Dynamics Research Day" - Lytton, Brisbane - During this two-day event, a fully furnished timber house was systematically involved in controlled fires. Participants were given the opportunity to view the rooms prior to involvement by fire. The development of fire in each fire cell was observed remotely by the participants on video |
2000 Fire Dynamics, Flashover and Fire Indicators "Workshop" - Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast The QAFI in association with The National Institute of Forensic Science (NIFS), convened a two-day workshop presented by Dr. John DeHaan, a criminalist from the United State who is internationally recognised for his expertise in fire and explosion investigations. The workshop covered many topics including basic fire dynamics, flashover issues, accelerated versus non-accelerated fires, compartment fire tests, facts and fallacies of fire indicators, fire reconstruction, fire death investigations, combustion explosions and other criminalistic aspects of fire scenes. |