Greater Cincinnati Fire Investigators Seminar 2025

This is a two-day event (10/30 & 10/31) that offers optional tested continuing education for fire investigators of all experience levels.

Location - Evendale Recreation Center

Seminar cost is $125.00 for both days

Doughnuts, coffee, drinks and lunch is included each day.

Conference and Eventbrite inquires contact us at: [email protected] or # 513-623-5681.

Visit our website at www.gcrafis.org

A certificate of attendance will be awarded at the end of the second day of the seminar.

Those seeking tested hours must complete a written test on the second day of the seminar.

G.C.R.A.F.I.S. Federal ID # 31-1059434

Info: Dr. Elayne Pope is a Forensic Anthropologist and the Director of Fatal Fire Forensics www.burnedbone.com. Dr. Pope’s research into fire deaths began in 2001 which examines the process of how the human body burns within different fire scene conditions (structures, vehicles, confined space, outdoor, and incendiary) and what types of physical evidence remains at the fatal fire scene for investigators. She completed her doctorate from the University of Arkansas in 2007 for “The Effects of Fire on Human Remains.” Dr. Pope has collaborated with the San Luis Obispo Fire Investigation Strike Team (SLO FIST) Fatal Fire Death Investigation Course (FFDIC) in San Luis Obispo, California as an instructor and researcher of burned human remains since 2008 (www.slofist.org). Dr. Pope worked as the Autopsy Supervisor and Forensic Anthropologist assisting autopsies and skeletal casework examinations at the Tidewater Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Norfolk, Virginia from 2011-2017.

Info: Kevin Fletcher recently retired as the Chief of Louisville Metro Arson Bureau serving for more than 25 years and was the President of the Kentucky Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Kevin Fletcher is currently the Executive Deputy Fire Chief of Anchorage Middletown Fire and EMS in Louisville Kentucky.
Kevin Fletcher has served in the Fire Service since 1991 starting his career in suppression in Jefferson County Kentucky. After obtaining a BS in Occupational Safety and Health from Murray State University, he returned to Louisville Kentucky and began with the Louisville Arson Bureau in January 2000 graduating from the Louisville Police Academy. During his career with the Louisville Metro Arson Bureau, he has been the Lead Investigator of over 2200 fires and assisted or supervised in 1000s more including serial arsonists cases, fires and explosion fatalities, and complex investigations such as the General Electric fire of April 2015.

Info: Special Agent Ken Pitney joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) in 2013 after spending 14 years in the Army. He completed 3 overseas combat deployments with the military. SA Pitney has served in the ATF’s Puerto Rico Field Office, Cincinnati Field Office, and Dayton Satellite Office. He has been in the ATF Certified Fire Investigator (CFI) program since 2021 and is also an IAAI CFI. Specialist G. Michael Grimes is a 50-year veteran law enforcement officer with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. He has achieved all ranks up to that of Captain. He is also the Bomb Squad Commander (FBI Certified Bomb Technician), and has been in that position for 45 years.
Additionally, he was a member of the Monroe Fire Department for 30 years, as it transitioned from Volunteer to Part-paid to Full Time personnel. There he served as a Firefighter, EMT, Investigator, retiring as a Lieutenant, after 30 years with the department.

Host or Publisher Hamilton County Fire Chief's Association