Jeffrey A. Berino, CCFI, CFEI and Scott M. Cochran, P.E., CFEI, CVFI Co-Authors
Jeffrey A. Berino, CCFI, CFEI
Jeff holds a Bachelor Of Science Degree in Business Administration, an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Fire Science, and is a Graduate of the Executive Fire Officer Program of the National Fire Academy. Jeff has a vast and diverse background in the fire service and in fire investigations. With over 29 years in the fire service and over 27 years of fire investigation, Jeff is a well-versed and dynamic individual in many facets of fire investigation. Jeff is a Certified Colorado Fire Investigator, Nationally Trained in Wildfire Origin & Cause by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Nationally Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, Certified Pyrotechnics Operator, Colorado Certified Fire Instructor, and a Colorado Certified Fire Suppression Systems Inspector. Extensive education on code development and enforcement, along with being in charge of a county-wide fire investigation team, makes Jeff both knowledgeable and an expert at fire investigations. He has been an instructor in Fire Sciences (including fire investigation, building construction and codes & ordinances) at Colorado Mountain College for over 21 years. Due to Jeff's Certified Pyrotechnics expertise, he has been retained as an expert for fireworks claims analysis. 
Scott M. Cochran, P.E., CFEI, CVFI
Scott holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. He is a Nationally Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator, Nationally Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, and a F.I.R.E. Certified Inspector. Scott has completed several Haag Engineering continuing education courses in the specialty areas of commercial roofs damage assessment, and wood roofs and composition roofs damage assessment. Insurance companies, commercial property owners and homeowners have retained Scott for his expertise regarding hail damage analysis. He possesses a vast amount of experience in structural and architectural engineering. His professional knowledge in structural design allows him to provide qualified recommendations on commercial and residential forensic investigations. Scott identifies construction product defects and deficiencies.
Articles by this Author
The Pitfalls of Modern Investigative Methodology Using Negative Corpus
- By Jeffrey A. Berino, CCFI, CFEI and Scott M. Cochran, P.E., CFEI, CVFI Co-Authors
- Published 12/18/2007
- Fire Origin and Cause
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Conclusions regarding the cause of a fire, explosion, subrogation issue, or even a construction defect are often made in the absence of physical evidence or proof. The term Negative Corpus is not a legal term, but refers to a loose Latin translation meaning “without the body of the crime.”Many forensic investigators utilize the process of elimination in their examination. Simply stated, they use statements such as “I eliminated all other causes, thus it has to be…….” Or, “via the process of elimination, it is my conclusion that the cause is…..” These statements were acceptable for a long time in the fire investigation industry, but they are now being challenged. There are organizations that are now pursuing the freedom of alleged arsonists who were convicted without positive proof of arson.