Forensic Sciences student named IAAI Investigator of the Year

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Media Contact: Sara Plummer | Communications Coordinator | 918-561-1282 | sara.plummer@okstate.edu

Nicole Brewer, a 26-year veteran of Portland Fire & Rescue and student at OSU Center for Health Sciences School of Forensic Sciences, was recently named the 2022 Investigator of the Year by the International Association of Arson Investigators.

Brewer has already earned a master’s degree from the School of Forensic Sciences’ Arson, Explosives, Firearms and Toolmarks Investigation (AEFTI) program and is now working toward a Ph.D. in the same area from OSU-CHS. Both degree programs are offered online.

“I had always wanted to be a fire investigator,” Brewer said, and she worked first as a volunteer firefighter before being hired by Portland Fire & Rescue in Oregon more than 26 years ago. For the past 15 years, she has worked as a police-certified fire and arson investigator conducting more than 2,500 fire and explosion investigations.

“I love the part of solving the puzzle. I like the challenge of it,” she said. “Applying the science, applying the logic, and then putting all the pieces together.”

Brewer said fire is very mysterious to people so understanding the physics and chemistry of fire and how it reacts in different environments and then being able to explain why a fire did what it did is a vital part of her job.

And even after so long in the fire and arson field, she still wants to know more.

Brewer said she first heard about OSU-CHS’ AEFTI program at a conference several years ago.

“Someone told me ‘You should go to Oklahoma State’s program. It’s for people who are already working in the field,’” she said. “Programs for fire investigators are few and far between, especially online programs.”

Brewer said she was impressed that the courses were taught by instructors with ATF backgrounds and it allowed her to work at her own schedule.

“I found it’s been a great program. The flexibility is very helpful in making this educational experience possible. I’ve had the chance to go to an ATF lab and learn from some of the best out there,” she said. “I’m finding I keep learning more and more about this field.”

That striving to know more and improve may be one reason Brewer received IAAI’s Investigator of the Year Award. She was first recognized by the Oregon chapter of IAAI and was then nominated for the international award.

“I received the Oregon Fire Investigator of the Year and that was above and beyond what I imagined. To receive the Investigator of the Year award, it still seems so surreal,” she said. “I’ve been a fire investigator for so long, it’s who I am. The fire service has just become a part of me. I still feel like I have something to give, and I still feel like I have something to get. It’s a rewarding career.”

AEFTI Program Director John Frucci, Ph.D., said Brewer is the fourth person associated with the program to be recognized with the IAAI Investigator of the Year Award. The other winners include Frucci, OSU CENFEX Range Manager Billy Magalassi and AEFTI Adjunct Professor Jamie Lord.

“It is the highest award you can receive as a fire investigator internationally. Now we have four winners associated with our program, which is amazing,” Frucci said. “I’m so excited for Nicole and honored to have her in our program.”

Brewer said this is the first international fire award for Oregon and Portland Fire & Rescue.

“My supervisor is floored. It’s good for the whole fire bureau to receive this kind of honor,” she said. “This is a high-level award and I hope that I live up to it. I hope I continue to earn it. I hope I do the award proud.”