Simon Cox & Associates Pty Ltd - Forensic Consultant

Simon Cox provides expert consultancy in the fields of:

*  Fire Investigation
 
Commercial, industrial and domestic buildings
Motor vehicles, including trucks and heavy equipment
Small and large marine vessels
Bushfires in grassland, native vegetaton and commercial  plantations;

        - Origin and cause determination
        - Identifying evidence of arson
        - Analyzing fire debris samples for accelerants
        - Fire cause simulation, both theoretical and physical
        - Assessing human behaviour in fires
        - Comparisons with statutory requirements
        - Fire modelling in relation to:
            Ignition mechanisms
            Fire development and spread
            The response of thermal and smoke alarms
            Fire suppression
  
* Explosion Investigation
 
Mechanical failures of storage cylinders boilers and pressure vessels
Deflagrating explosions involving gas, dust and vapours
Detonating explosions;

        - Origin and cause determination
        - Assessing ignition mechanisms
        - Identifying equipment and process faults
        - Assessing potential hazards

*  Materials Failure Analysis

Metals, both ferrous and non-ferrous
Machinery and mechanical structures
Polymers, including fibre glass and other reinforced plastics
Timber and timber products
Glass (both sheet and container)
Paints and other coatings;

       - Determining the proximate cause of failure
       - Metallurgical and chemical analysis
       - Identifying corrosion mechanisms
       - Macroscopic and microscopic defect identification
       - Failure analysis of welds
       - Tyre failure analysis
       - Failure of pipes, hoses and associated fittings

Simon Cox is an expert based in South Australia with an  office/laboratory in Penola. He works throughout Australia and travels regularly to New Zealand.  He has over 40 years experience as a forensic consultant and has been accepted as an Expert Witness in all states and territories of Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia.  He is also an adjunct lecturer with the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security at Charles Sturt University and subject coordinator for Firesetting Behaviour, Legal Issues and Investigative Practice.