S.3 Ep.3- From the Legal Desk: Certified v. Qualified and Common Attacks on Reports ft. Attorney Lauren Guber

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Scott Kuhlman and Chasity Owens sit down with returning guest Attorney Lauren Guber for a real-world conversation on how fire investigations hold up when the stakes are high—especially in court. The episode kicks off with a sharp comparison between the U.S. approach to fire investigation standards and the UK’s “Code of Practice” concept, which reads more like “you shall” than “you should.” From there, Lauren breaks down what attorneys actually lean on when challenging an expert: your credentials, your investigation, and what you didn’t do—and why being “qualified” under NFPA 1033 isn’t the same thing as being “certified,” even though juries may treat it that way. The crew also digs into why continuing education matters (even more than years on the job), how peer review can sharpen investigators fast, and why programs like the Science Advisory Workgroup (“SAW group”) are a game-changer for improving report quality and courtroom readiness.You’ll also hear highlights from a SAW group showcase in Oregon—where investigators presented cases, the audience got reports via QR code to follow along, and the panel asked the kind of questions that feel a lot like trial pressure (but with a learning-first vibe). The conversation closes with Lauren’s practical courtroom advice: don’t downplay your experience, tell your story clearly (especially for juries), and for the love of the transcript—slow down so the court reporter can keep up. Plus, the episode drops quick industry updates (“WTF We Train Frequently”), sponsor chatter, and ends on a nerdy teaser: what’s the difference between a chromatograph and a chromatogram—and why fire investigators should actually know.Kansas Annual Conference (WTF We Train Frequently) — February 3–5, 2026 (Wichita, Kansas)IAAI Evidence Collection Technician (ECT) — Local/Orange County — February 20, 2026 (Irvine, California; Orange County Fire Authority HQ)California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI) Annual Training — February 23–26, 2026 (California)New Mexico Annual Training Conference — February 23–27, 2026 (Albuquerque, New Mexico)Georgia Fire Investigators Association Spring Conference — March 16–19, 2026 (Cobb, Georgia)Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed the episode, give us 5 stars, hit the follow button, and subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere you are listening in from. Follow us on social media!Instagram: @infocusfire_podcastLinkedIn: INFOCUS podcastFacebook: INFOCUS podcastTikTok: @infocus_podcast