EKU Awarded Grant for Fire Investigation Research

Faculty in Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) College of Justice, Safety and Military Science, Dr. Shijin Kozhumal and Dr. Greg Gorbett, received a competitive research grant from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), the U.S. Department of Justice’s research, development and evaluation agency, to research drywall and burn patterns. The NIJ forensic science research and development grant, announced in late 2023, awarded EKU more than $290,000.

“Due to their fire resistance, gypsum board—or drywall—are a common building material,” said Kozhumal, EKU associate professor of fire protection and safety engineering technology. “When exposed to fire, they leave behind patterns that can help investigators determine the fire’s origin and cause.”

EKU’s faculty received one of 33 grants from the NIJ. The organization awarded projects that will “increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice,” or “lead to the production of useful material(s), device(s), system(s), or method(s) that have the potential for forensic application.”

EKU’s project aims to analyze different types of drywall to develop models that predict how different wall-lining materials will react to fire under various conditions. The model predictions will be compared with experimental measurements to ensure accuracy and reliability. EKU researchers hope to build a property database for selected wall-lining materials under fire exposure to improve future fire investigations.

“By improving our understanding of drywall behavior and providing new analysis tools, we can help fire investigators draw more accurate and reliable conclusions about the origin of fires,” said Kozhumal.

As a result of the grant, students have increased hands-on learning opportunities with modern fire investigation systems. Kozhumal added this will also allow students to engage in experiences that directly translate to their careers.

This current grant is EKU’s second research award from the NIJ. The first, which was awarded in 2020, was also related to drywall burn investigation. 

“Obtaining this grant and our demonstrated ability to perform high-level research with previous grants is helping to set the EKU Fire, Arson and Explosion Investigation degree program apart from similar academic programs,” said Gorbett, associate professor in the fire protection and safety engineering technology program.

EKU’s College of Justice, Safety and Military Science offers three unique programs in fire safety: Fire Protection Administration; Fire, Arson, and Explosion Investigation; and Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology. EKU’s Fire Protection and Safety Engineering Technology program is one of only three ABET accredited fire programs in the country.