Chemistry of fire expert speaks Oct. 26
An expert on chemical analysis in fire investigation will speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 26 in D-225.
Dr. Michael E. Kurz, professor of chemistry and department chair at ISU, will discuss "The Chemistry of Fire and Flammable Liquid Properties." Sponsored by the American Chemical Society, his presentation is open to the public and free of charge.
Kurz is a member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists, and on the editorial board for The National Fire and Arson Report.
He has used gas chromatography routinely in his research activities and has taught courses in GC. He has presented lectures and taught short courses on the Chemistry of Fire and Chemical Analysis in Fire Investigation to various groups and is a regular instructor at the State Farm Insurance Advanced Fire Claims School.
In recent years he has been involved in the evaluation of flammable/combustible liquid-detecting canines for use at fire scenes.
Kurz has a B.A. in chemistry from St. Mary’s in Minnesota and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Case-Western Reserve University. After doing postdoctoral research at Columbia University, he joined the faculty at ISU.
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