Mr. Cottingham has over 26 years of experience as a fire origin and cause investigator working within the fire service. He has investigated and/or supervised well over 2000 fire and explosion incidents.  Many of these investigations have involved product liability/subrogation issues, multi-million-dollar loss exposures and those with multiple fatalities.  He also has over 16 years of experience inspecting new construction and existing occupancies for compliance with state building, mechanical, electrical and fire codes.

Areas of Expertise:

• Fire Investigations – Origin and Cause
• Fire Investigations – Incendiarism
• Fire Investigations – Liability
• Fire Investigations – Subrogation
• Fire Investigations – Heavy Equipment, Farm Equipment and Implements, Automobile

Ball State University, Muncie, IN, September 1978 to May 1982

Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), 2004, Certification # 14-055, Re-certifications: 2009, 2014, 2019 & 2024
Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI) – National Fire Investigators Association (NAFI), 1999, Registration # 6361-2302, Re-certifications: 2004, 2009, & 2014
Fire Investigator I, State of Indiana Public Safety Training Institute, 1998, Certification #34619
Master Fire Prevention/Inspection, Office of the Indiana State Fire Marshal Certification #34619 (53-005)
Certified Building Inspector, International Conference of Building Officials 1993, Certification #66269
Certified Combination 1 & 2 Family Dwelling Inspector (Building Mechanical, Plumbing & Electrical), International Conference of Building Officials, 1993, Certification #65208
Master Electrician License, Issued by the City of Bloomington, 1995, 2004, License #1566