Walk through two complex arson cases at top LASD investigator Ed Nordskog’s latest forensic science seminar
WHAT: Cal State Los Angeles Professor Donald Johnson, in association with LAVA – The Los Angeles Visionaries Association and Esotouric, present a new program in their quarterly forensic science seminar series: “Where There’s Smoke” hosted by Ed Nordskog, top arson investigator for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
WHEN: Sunday, January 18, 12:00pm-4:00pm
WHERE: The Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center (Cal State L.A.), 1800 Paseo Rancho Castilla, Los Angeles, CA 90032
COST: $36.50 per person, includes refreshments. A portion of the proceeds from this event supports the graduate level research of Cal State Los Angeles Criminalistics graduate students.
ED NORDSKOG’S BOOKS: Copies of “‘Torchered’ Minds: Case Histories of Notorious Serial Arsonists” and “Fire Raisers, Freaks and Fiends: Obsessive Arsonists in the California Foothills” will be available for purchase at the event. More info athttp://www.torcheredminds.com
RESTRICTIONS: Due to the graphic nature of the presentation, children may not attend.
INFO/RESERVATIONS: http://lavatransforms.org/
LOS ANGELES- What makes someone set fire to buildings? What twisted line of thinking drives an otherwise nondescript citizen to endanger the lives of strangers? How do investigators get into the minds of arsonists and crack their crimes wide open? On January 18you can join Ed Nordskog, top arson investigator for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, for a fascinating afternoon of lectures and live demonstrations, drawing on his own casework and notorious, high profile cases.
Ed Nordskog will present in detail just how two fascinating recent cases were solved.
Case #1 – St John Vianney Catholic Church arson, Hacienda Heights. In April 2011, a brazen arsonist entered the church sanctuary and carefully ensured its destruction. Two priests sleeping in the attached building narrowly escaped with their lives. You’ll marvel at the two-year, multi-agency investigation, the bizarre suspect and how toilet paper became the key to breaking the case.
Case #2 – Marijuana Shop Fires. Beginning in 2009, black street gangs began firebombing marijuana dispensaries throughout the Los Angeles basin, with a large number occurring in Hollywood and West Hollywood. Watch as the facts fall into place through the recently concluded four-year investigation, resulting in the convictions of 11 conspirators and a surprising ring leader.
In between the lectures, experience a rare hands-on opportunity to view real examples of deadly explosive devices, carefully neutralized for your educational pleasure.
By the end of Ed’s presentations, attendees will have gained familiarity with the real-world experience of a top arson investigator, and with the shadow worlds inhabited by two very different types of arsonist.