Richard joined the INFIRE Forensic team having completed 30 years’ service with Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service in January 2021. He has been involved in fire investigation for over 25 years as a fire service officer, having qualified through statutory promotion examinations and nationally recognised fire investigation specific courses and assessments.
During his service he undertook the role of Fire Investigation search dog handler, a role that he carried out for 14 years. This provided the opportunity for him to gain qualifications and experience in the field. With over 800 scene searches as a dog handler, Richard progressed to team leader on many more investigations and has attended criminal and coroners’ courts to present evidence on numerous occasions.
In the last four years of his service he became the lead Investigator for Cornwall, a role that involved supporting and training peers to develop their skills in the field of Fire and explosive investigation.
Richard is a member of United Kingdom Association of Fire Investigators (UK-AFI).