David E. Bridges, Esq., IAAI-CFI®, IAAI-CI® Meagher + Geer, P.L.L.P.

 David E. Bridges is a technically trained attorney in Meagher + Geer, P.L.L.P.’s Catastrophic Loss Practice Group, operating out of the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas Metroplex. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including fires, explosions, structural failures, fire protection system failures, product failures, and other catastrophic losses and construction-related incidents across the United States. David brings the science and law together to investigate incidents and provide representation from the outset of the incident through trial. He is an International Association of Arson Investigators Certified Fire Investigator (“IAAI-CFI®”) and Certified Instructor (“IAAI-CI®”). Prior to law school, David performed fire and explosion investigations in conjunction with his work as a special agent, certified fire investigator, and accelerant detection K-9 handler with the North Carolina Department of Justice (“NCDOJ”) / State Bureau of Investigation (“NCSBI”). He served on the IAAI-Board of Directors and as Co-Chair of the IAAI’s Training & Education (“T&E”) Committee from 2017 to 2023. He currently serves as IAAI-T&E Committee Chair and IAAI[1]Second (2nd) Vice President. David also serves as an adjunct instructor for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ (“ATF”) and National Fire Academy’s (“NFA”) fire and explosion training programs. Outside the office, David enjoys spending time with his wife, Amy, and daughters, Rowyn and Rylee.

Trace L. Lawless, IAAI-CFI®, IAAI-ECT® (Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company)

Trace works out of Cincinnati, Ohio, and joined Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company in 2014. He began his career in the public sector in 1980. He now has more than 43 years of experience in the fields of fire service, law enforcement, and fire and explosion investigations. Trace is a graduate of the National Fire Academy, as well as the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, in the areas of fire origin and cause determination and investigations. Additionally, he has attended fire investigation courses around the United States, including federal, state, and local agencies, in the following areas: origin and cause investigation, evidence collection and preservation, explosive devices, post-blast investigations, motor vehicle fire investigation, ATF accelerant detection canine, and courtroom testimony. He is an International Association of Arson Investigators’ Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) and Evidence Collection Technician (IAAI-ECT), and National Association of Fire Investigators’ Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (NAFI-CFEI) and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (NAFI-CVFI). From 2016 to 2022, Trace served on the IAAI Board of Directors. He was the Chairman of the IAAI’s Training & Education Committee from 2016 to 2023. Trace currently holds the position of IAAI First (1st) Vice President and is a Past President of Ohio Chapter of the IAAI (OH-IAAI).

Ken Rawlinson, Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal Trophy Club Fire Department

Ken Rawlinson is the Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal for the Town of Trophy Club Fire Department. Ken has been in public safety for over 21 years and has been a fire/arson investigator since 2009. Ken used to own and operate a successful part-time wedding photography business and has photographed over 200 weddings. Ken has extensive experience in fire scene photography and has trained hundreds of fire investigators on how to overcome the technical challenges of photographing fire investigations.

Phil Fouts, IAAI-CFI® (The Fouts Group)   

Phil Fouts worked as a Certified Fire Investigator as a Special Agent for over (fifteen) 15 years with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). He served as a full-time member of ATF's National Response Team (NRT), where he was also assigned to the International Response Team.  While a member of the NRT Phil participated in dozens of large loss fires to include the multiple fatality fire at the Mizpah Hotel in Reno, NV, the West, TX fire and explosion that killed multiple firefighters and the Los Angeles, CA serial arson case with over 50 fires in a four-day period.   Phil became a federal agent after graduating from law school and becoming a member of the California Bar Association.  

Phil is a subject matter expert on fire investigation for the Texas Science Advisory Workgroup. Phil has been an IAAI-CFI since 2011 and has been qualified as an expert in Origin and Cause in both state, federal and military courts.  With expertise in Origin and Cause and having investigated hundreds of fire scenes, Phil formed The Fouts Group, based in Austin, TX in 2014.The Fouts Group offers specialized expertise to properly investigate the origin and cause of fire scenes.

Michael Custer, P.E.  

Michael Custer is an Electrical Engineer for Arc Forensics, LLC, and has over 20 years of experience as a forensic investigative engineer. He specializes in the analysis of electrical, software, and electronic failures resulting in fires, explosions, equipment damage, or personal injury. Mr. Custer has specialized expertise in the areas of electrical/electronic failure analysis, software failures, control systems, cognitive systems, battery systems, and electrical evidence collection, analysis, and testing procedures. Mr. Custer has designed electronic hardware, software, and networking systems for various government contracts including the development of unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced fire detectors, and shipboard wiring fault detection. Mr. Custer has a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and is a registered professional engineer in Texas and Louisiana. Mr. Custer has presented at the 2013 IEEE Product Safety Engineering Society, multiple NASP conferences, multiple state IAAI conferences, the 2023 SFPE Fire Protection Conference, and at the 2018 IAAI International Conference.

Greg Heller, IAAI-FIT®  Special Agent ATF 

Greg Heller is currently a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF). Greg is assigned to the Seattle Field Office.  Heller is a IAAI Fire Investigation Technician. While a member of the ATF Greg has participated in fire related death investigations to included scene examinations, interviews, and working with homicide detectives on follow-up investigations.  Prior to working for the ATF, Greg obtained his degree in Engineering from Duke University.   Greg has been in law enforcement for over 16 years, as he worked as a detective for the Gwinnett County Police Department and was assigned to the homicide, robbery and special victims’ unit.   

Michael O’Neil, IAAI-CFI®, Detective Fort Worth Fire Department Bureau of Criminal Investigations & Bomb Squad   

Michael O’Neil is currently a detective in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations Unit within the Fort Worth Fire Department. He has been in the fire service for 12 years and has been assigned to the Investigations unit since 2016. Michael holds certifications as a TCOLE Intermediate Peace Officer, TCFP Advanced Structural Firefighter, Advanced Arson Investigator, and IAAI Certified Fire Investigator. Michael O’Neil is certified in cell phone technology and forensic data recovery. He is a Cellebrite Certified Operator and Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst.

Justin Fojtik , IAAI-FIT®, Detective Fort Worth Fire Department Bureau of Criminal Investigations & Bomb Squad   

Justin Fojtik is currently a detective in the Bureau of Criminal Investigations Unit within the Fort Worth Fire Department. He has been in the fire service for 12 years and has been assigned to the Investigations unit since 2019. Justin is a Paramedic, and is TCFP Master Structure Fire Fighter and is a Hazardous Material Technician. He holds certifications as a TCOLE Peace Officer and is IAAI Fire Investigation Technician.