Instructors
Dr. Chelsey Juarez Associate Professor of Anthropology at California State University Fresno. Dr. Juarez is the Director of the Fresno State Forensic Anthropology Laboratory, and Director of the BJA funded Central California Missing and Unidentified Deceased Persons Cold Case Initiative. The Fresno State forensic anthropology laboratory conducts case work throughout the Central Valley of California. Dr. Juarez is an experienced wildfire forensic anthropology first responder with Cal OES and has done several tours including the Palisades and Eaton fires the Havilah fire, and the Creek fire. Juarez conducts the Cal OES "Just in Time" training to provide search and rescue teams with osteological knowledge on site. Juarez has several research specializations including the analysis of thermal alteration in human remains. She has co-written several peer reviewed articles on the topic and is the Curator of the Fresno State thermally eltartered human skeletal collection .
Dr. Alison Galloway D-ABFA Professor Emerita at University of California, Santa Cruz, and Affiliated faculty at Fresno State, has had over forty years of experience as a practicing forensic anthropologist. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, and her Masters and Doctorate from the University of Arizona. Her casework includes material from Arizona, Tennessee and California. She has co-edited The Evolving Female: A Life History Perspective, Broken Bones: Anthropological Analysis of Blunt Force Trauma, Forensic Anthropology and the US Judicial System, and Path of Flames: Understanding and Responding to Fatal Wildfires. She is a Retired Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, where she served as Chair of the Ethics Committee and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology. She has also worked on the recovery of remains from numerous wildfires in the western United States. (Learn more about Dr. Galloways research on burned bone and color changes here)
Dr. Elayne Pope is a Forensic Anthropologist with a research focus in the thermal alteration in human remains. Currently, Dr. Pope provides ongoing instructional course lectures and training for fire investigators, law enforcement, crime scene investigators, death investigators/coroners, medical examiners, attorneys, and other forensic specialists. In 2025 she was awarded the International Association of Arson Investigators Instructor Of The Year Award for her teaching excellence. She is an experienced subject matter expert in burned human remains, casework consultation, and courtroom. Dr. Pope has published several journal articles and book chapters focused on changes from thermal damage to the human body as it applies to forensic casework involving burned human remains. Dr. Pope has been an invited instructor and lecturer for both national and international professional training organizations. (Listen to podcasts where Dr. Pope discusses thermal alteration here)
Jay Tracy is the Deputy Fire Marshal/Fire Investigation Unit Supervisor with the Fresno Fire Department. Jay has been with Fresno Fire for two decades with more than ten years specializing in fire investigations. He started his career as a frontline firefighter on a type 1 hazardous materials response team and later as a member of the fire investigations unit working on complex fire/arson investigations. Jay has also provided public safety education — making him a respected figure in both operational and academic circles of fire service and law enforcement agencies alike. He is currently serving on the Board of Directors for the California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI), Jay plays a key role in shaping investigative standards and promoting professional development across the state. Jay is also the coordinator for the annual CCAI/Fresno City College Fire Investigator Academy. Jay provides the Fire Investigations series of courses through State Fire Training and is an adjunct instructor for the FCC police academy.
Scott Kuhlman is a Certified Fire Investigator and Fire Captain with the Orange County Fire, bringing over 30 years in the fire service and more than 2,510 origin and cause investigations across residential, commercial, industrial, wildland, and vehicle fires. He has over a decade of insurance industry experience, providing expert scene analysis and testimony, and has completed 2,150+ hours of formal training while teaching more than 2,400 hours of fire investigation courses. A past President (2024–2025) and current Regional Training Chair for the California Conference of Arson Investigators, Kuhlman leads the four-week Fire Investigation Academy at Fresno City College, teaches at Miramar College, and in 2024 trained the Cambodia Fire Department. He co-owns INFOCUS Fire Investigations and co-hosts two leading podcasts—Fire Investigation InFocus and Hot Pursuit. Honors include CCAI Member of the Year (2018), Presidential Award (2020), and Board Member of the Year (2022).
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Andrea Stanley has been a member of the Ventura County Fire Department for 14 years. Andrea currently serves as a Full-Time Fire Investigator and is a valued member of the VCFD Fire Investigations Unit. Andrea has a BS/MS and is currently working towards her Doctor of Forensic Science with a focus on Fire Science. Andrea brings a wealth of knowledge in fire investigations and remains a valued member of the instructor cadre. Andrea is supported by her partner and dog at home. She spends her spare time with them, enjoying the mountains and beaches of Ventura. Andrea brings unmatched energy to the team and looks forward to sharing her experience and knowledge.
Ryan Leonardo has 18 years of experience in the fire service, he is currently employed as the Fire Marshal for the City of Tulare. His responsibilities include the oversight and supervision of all fire prevention programs including fire and life safety inspections, public education, new construction, plan check and the fire investigation unit. Ryan holds several state fire marshal certifications including Fire Investigator 2. He is a past president of the Central Valley Arson Investigators Association (CVAI) a former Sergeant at Arms for the CA Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI) and he remains involved in the regional fire investigation community by staying active with the Tulare/Kings Fire Investigation Strike Team.
Nathan Dansby is a current member of the Fresno Fire Arson Unit. Nathan has been with Fresno Fire for over 20 years with more than 12 years specializing in fire investigations. Nathan holds a California state fire marshal Fire Investigator 2 certificate and is a Master Certified Fire Investigator with the California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI).
