criminal arson defense - fire & explosion investig

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

As a past member of the Skokie, Illinois Fire Department for twenty-eight years, Mr. Agosti progressed from a Firefighter/Paramedic to the position of Deputy Fire Chief. Mr. Agosti has extensive experience in fire and arson investigation; fire prevention and life safety codes; fire department management, operations and safety; and firefighter fatalities and injuries . He has responded to hundreds of major fire and crime scenes and has testified in court on the conclusions of his investigations. Mr. Agosti’s fire department responsibilities included the review of all construction plans for compliance to fire and building codes. His expertise in building construction and fire code compliance, coupled with his knowledge of firefighting techniques and fire spread, lends a unique blend to his fire investigation capabilities. In addition to his fire department exposure to hundreds of fire investigations, Mr. Agosti has extensive experience in the private sector also. Over the past eighteen years Mr. Agosti has conducted over 1800 fire related investigations as a private fire cause and origin investigator. He has provided loss reviews, fire investigations, technical expertise, and litigation support for numerous major insurance carriers and attorneys throughout the U.S. Responsibilities include complete report writing, evidence collection, still and video photography, interviewing of witnesses, and deposition and expert witness appearances. Mr. Agosti has testified in both state and federal courts, for both plaintiff and defense clients, and both criminal and civil matters. Education/Training: Associates Degree in Fire Science and Technology Certified Arson Investigator, State of Illinois Certified Fire Investigator, National Fire Academy Certified Fire Officer 1 & 2, Illinois Fire Service Institute. Professional Certified Fire Investigator, International Assn. of Arson Investigators