Licensed Professional Engineer
Mechanical PE - CA, NV, OR, WA, AZ
Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator
National Association of Fire Investigators
OUR SERVICES
Vehicle Fire Origin & Cause Investigations
Determining the cause of a vehicle fire requires more than identifying the most heavily damaged area. Fire patterns, vehicle systems, operating history, and physical evidence must be evaluated together.
Bona Fide Forensics examines fire-damaged vehicles to determine the area of origin, identify and evaluate potential ignition sources, and develop conclusions supported by the available evidence.
Investigations may involve passenger cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, vans, and commercial vehicles.
Common areas of investigation include:
✓ Engine compartment fires
✓ Passenger compartment fires
✓ Electrical wiring and power connections
✓ Batteries, starters, and alternators
✓ Fuel and other fluid leaks
✓ Exhaust systems and hot surfaces
✓ Aftermarket equipment and modifications
✓ Recent repairs or maintenance
✓ Fires while parked or operating
✓ Fire spread to or from nearby property
✓ Arson & fraud
OUR APPROACH
Our Fire Investigation Process
A methodical, evidence-based, NFPA 921-based approach from scene to conclusion
1. Examine Vehicle
Evaluate fire damage, vehicle condition, and surrounding evidence to guide the investigation.
2. Document Evidence
Record fire patterns, component locations, and relevant conditions through photographs, notes, and measurements.
3. Origin Analysis
Evaluate physical evidence and fire spread to identify where the fire began.
4. Evaluate Causes
Examine potential ignition sources and assess whether each is consistent with the evidence.
5. Examine & Test
Preserve relevant components and conduct or coordinate further examination and testing as needed.
6. Develop Findings
Integrate the evidence and technical analysis into clear, supported conclusions.
EVIDENCE MATTERS
Evidence Preservation & Subrogation Support
Vehicle fires may involve component failures, repair issues, or aftermarket installations that warrant further investigation. Preserving the vehicle and relevant components helps retain the evidence needed to evaluate these possibilities.
Bona Fide Forensics helps identify and document potentially significant evidence before vehicles are repaired, dismantled, or released for salvage.
Services may include:
✓ Vehicle and component identification
✓ Documentation before removal
✓ Evidence collection and preservation
✓ Chain-of-custody documentation
✓ Secure storage of collected components
✓ Coordination of joint examinations
✓ Participation in destructive examinations
✓ Documentation of testing and component disassembly
When potentially responsible parties are identified, examinations can be coordinated to provide an opportunity for their participation.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Engineering Evaluation of Vehicle Fire Causes
Some vehicle fire investigations require analysis beyond determining where the fire started. A component may need to be examined to understand how it failed and whether that failure contributed to ignition.
Our mechanical engineering background supports the evaluation of vehicle systems, component failures, and potential ignition mechanisms.
Areas of evaluation may include:
✓ Battery cables and electrical connections
✓ Starting and charging systems
✓ Fuel lines, fittings, and connections
✓ Lubrication and other fluid systems
✓ Exhaust systems and heat exposure
✓ Mechanical component failures
✓ Aftermarket wiring and accessories
✓ Repair and maintenance history
When needed, the investigation can include additional component testing or specialized analysis.
DELIVERING RESULTS
Clear, Defensible Findings
Our goal is to provide understandable, technically supported findings that help clients evaluate claims, potential recovery opportunities, and disputed issues.
Depending on the assignment, our work may include:
✓ Vehicle inspection
✓ Origin and cause analysis
✓ Photographic documentation
✓ Review of incident and maintenance records
✓ Electrical and mechanical system evaluation
✓ Evidence collection and storage
✓ Joint examinations
✓ Component testing
✓ Engineering analysis
✓ Verbal consultation
✓ Written reports
✓ Deposition and litigation support
✓ Expert witness testimony
Conclusions reflect the available evidence, with limitations and unresolved questions clearly explained.
MEET KIRK LUMAYE
Experienced Fire Investigator and Forensic Engineer
Bona Fide Forensics combines fire investigation with an engineering approach to failure analysis.
Investigations are led by Kirk LuMaye, a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator with more than a decade of experience investigating fires, property losses, and mechanical failures.
This combination supports vehicle fire investigations involving electrical systems, mechanical components, and questions about how a failure may have contributed to ignition.
Our mission is simple: Seek the truth through honest and thorough investigation.
- Kirk LuMaye, PE
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SERVICE AREA
Vehicle Fire Investigation Across California and the West
Bona Fide Forensics provides forensic engineering and fire investigation services throughout Northern California and Southern California, with regular travel for assignments in Reno and Northern Nevada.
We also accept engineering and fire investigation assignments throughout Arizona, Oregon, and Washington, and travel as needed to support losses across the western United States.
QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Frequently Asked Questions
