President’s Welcome

Welcome to the International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc. (“IAAI”).

It was an honor to stand before the members of the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) who were in attendance on April 28, 2026, at the 77th IAAI International Training Conference and Awards Banquet in St. Louis as I was sworn in as the President of the IAAI. Thank you for the trust you have placed in me.

My path to the position of IAAI President began more than 26 years ago while I was attending graduate school at Marshall University earning my master’s degree in forensic science. A hands-on fire origin and cause class changed everything for me. Internships with the Huntington Fire Department and the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office quickly turned into full-time work investigating fires across the state. Those experiences led me to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), where I was hired as a Special Agent in 2005, became a Certified Fire Investigator, and later served on the National Response Team. Over the years I have worked serial arson-for-profit cases, line of duty death investigations, and the 2023 Maui wildfires. From 2015 – 2020 I helped build and lead ATF’s Advanced Origin and Cause and Courtroom Testimony training program at the National Center for Explosives Training and Research (NCETR) in Huntsville, Alabama. I then worked as the Resident Agent in Charge of the ATF Chicago Field Division’s Arson and Explosives Group and now serve as Branch Chief for NCETR’s Accreditation Branch.

I share this brief history not to boast, but to illustrate one simple truth: I have learned to see things through, even when the path has been difficult. That commitment is my pledge to you as President. No matter the challenges, we will finish what we start.

This year I have several priorities that will guide our work together.

We must invest in the future by attracting and engaging the next generation. This past February, Executive Director Stone and I attended the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) conference and were inspired by the energy of more than 200 student members. While I realize that the IAAI will not reach those numbers overnight, I have challenged our Student Committee to double our student attendance at next year’s ITC. I ask every member to help assist the Student Committee with this task and welcome and mentor these future investigators.

We will also strengthen our leadership pipeline. I have charged the Membership, Chapters, Training & Education, and Certifications committees to each recommend a second co-chair. This simple step will bring fresh perspectives into our committee structure and create clear succession plans so that our important work continues without interruption.

The IAAI will build stronger partnerships with allied organizations. Fire investigation is a true forensic discipline, yet our presence at conferences such as those of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences remains limited. Building on the momentum of Executive Director Stone and my visit with the leadership of the AAFS during their annual conference, I am forming the Organization Collaboration Working Group to identify members already active in these other organizations and coordinate joint efforts to amplify the IAAI’s presence within this community. I will be selecting IAAI members to work with and represent us with organizations such as AAFS, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Association of Subrogation Professionals, among others.  Because working together, we are stronger.

Thank you again for the honor and privilege of serving as your President. I look forward to the work ahead this coming year.

Sincerely,

Devin J. Palmer, IAAI – CFI

President 2026 - 2027

To learn more about IAAI initiatives, click here:

Fire and Arson Investigator Journal--IAAI President's Perspective, Summer 2025

Fire and Arson Investigator Journal--IAAI President's Perspective, Fall 2025

Fire and Arson Investigator Journal--IAAI President's Perspective, Winter 2025

Fire and Arson Investigator Journal--IAAI President's Perspective, Spring 2026