Layne Blavier, P.E., CFEI, CVFI (Mechanical)
Mr. Blavier has over 17 years’ experience as a forensic mechanical engineer. He is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI), and a Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI). Mr. Blavier has extensive experience in the forensic investigation of appliance and vehicle fires, plumbing systems, HVAC, water intrusion, pipe freezes, and many other mechanical failures. He has testified in court and has served as expert for the legal community regarding product liability, subrogation claims and machinery loss assessment. Prior to working in forensics, Mr. Blavier was a product design engineer where he was responsible for the design, model, draft, and testing of mechanical products.
Areas of Expertise: HVAC, plumbing systems, sump pumps, pipe freezes, septic systems, swimming pools, boilers, furnaces, water intrusion, water heaters, elevator and escalator systems, appliance fires, machinery failure, machine guarding, passenger vehicle systems (brakes, transmissions, engines), off-road vehicles, vehicle fires, crash data retrieval
James J. Bernitt, ME, P.E., CFEI (Electrical)
Mr. Bernitt is a Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensed in the States of New York and Connecticut. He has over 30 years’ experience in design development and failure analysis of electrical and electronic systems. Mr. Bernitt also has experience with forensic investigations of electrical fires, hazardous electrical conditions and a variety of equipment malfunctions.
Areas of Expertise: Lithium-Ion batteries, electronic component fires, appliance failures, equipment malfunction, electrocution/shock, system design, replacement costs, fire protection/alarms, scalding, slips, trips and falls, solar systems, sprinklers, utilities
Gerry Donaghy, P.E., (Electrical)
Gerry Donaghy, P.E. (Principal Electrical Engineer) has over 30 years of experience ranging from communication equipment electrical designs to operation and maintenance of electrical distribution systems. Mr. Donaghy has served as an expert witness providing analysis of incidents involving electrical equipment and product failures, fires of electrical origin and electrical shock injuries. Mr. Donaghy is well versed in all aspects of electrical distribution.
Areas of Expertise: Evaluating electrical events, lightning strikes and fires in residential buildings, commercial buildings, and electrical distribution (utilities). Investigate electrical shock incidents. Fiber Optics, communication equipment, electrical designs, product failures, fires of electrical origin. Confirm functionality and involvement of Alternating Current (AC), Direct Current (DC) and battery circuits and equipment.