William T. Cosgrove, CFI
Curriculum Vitae
Professional Experience
Certified Fire Investigator with over 32 years of experience in fire fighting and fire investigation. Served as a member of the Chicago Fire Department
with special expertise in fire investigation. Additional education in insurance and zoning law, building and Structural codes, social systems, explosions,
and criminal justice.
Present Richard M. Hansen & Associates, Inc., Chicago, Illinois
December 1995 to Bill Cosgrove Fire Investigation, Inc., Chicago, Illinois
Present Class “A” Private Detective
Responsible for investigation of the origin, cause and circumstances
of fire and explosion incidents within the State of Illinois. Assist in
criminal and civil investigations. Testify as required in courts
of appropriate jurisdiction.
1987 - 1996 Chicago Fire Department, Chicago, Illinois
Senior Fire Marshal - Office of Fire Investigation
Responsible for investigation and determination of the cause of
fire incidents throughout Chicago. Assigned to the Major Case Unit
where all complex and sensitive investigations are conducted.
Qualified as an expert witness in the state and federal courts on
the cause and origin of fire incidents.
1981 - 1987 Firefighter
Snorkel 5 & Truck Company #40
Served as a Firefighter in high fire incidence area. Responded to
an average of 8 calls per day and 3 working fires per 24-hour shift
on Snorkel #5.
1969 - 1981 Firefighter
Truck Company #15 at the time was, the busiest truck company in
Chicago.
Responsible for ventilation and rescue work as well as extraction of
accident victims. Averaged 18 calls per 24-hour shift.
Certifications and Licenses
Licensed Private Detective Certified Fire Investigator
Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal
Fire Cause and Origin, Hazardous Material School, Basic EMS
Training Program, In-Service Firefighter Training, Candidate
Firefighter Training
Chicago Fire Academy
Professional Affiliations
National Fire Protection Association
Illinois Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention
National Association of Fire Investigators
International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.
Illinois Chapter Association of Fire Investigators
Chicago, Firefighters Union Local #2
Gaelic Fire Brigade
Additional Expertise
Basic EMS Training Program
In-Service Firefighter Training,
Candidate Firefighter Training
Chicago Fire Academy
Technical Advisor on fire/arson investigations to Robert DeNiro for the movie “Backdraft” which was filmed Chicago.
Project Coordinator: The Chicago Stockyards Memorial Fund
Author / Published books: “Accident or Arson”
“The Noble Breed”
“ Robert DeNiro and the Fireman”
Valor Awards: City of Chicago Fire Department for fire rescues in 1970, 1974, 1978, 1983 and 1988
Veterans of Foreign Wars, 1975.
Educational Background
Illinois Institute of Technology Illinois Institute of Technology
Advanced Origin and Cause Seminar 40 hours
National Association of Fire Investigators
Cause and Origin Seminar 40 hours
International Association of Arson Investigators, Inc.
Fire/Arson Seminar 24 hours
Department of the Treasury, A.T.F.
Bombing Investigation Course 16 hours
Chicago Police Bomb & Arson
Fire/Explosion Phenomena Program 16 hours
National Association of Fire Investigators
Certified Fire/Explosion Seminar 40 hours
Fire Investigators Strike Force
Course work in interviewing, social systems
and Political Science 16 hours
State of Illinois, Department of Registration and Education
Course work in criminal law and procedure, criminal
Investigation, Illinois Government, Federal Government
120 hours
University of Illinois
Completed State of Illinois Fire Investigation
Modules I, II and III 120 hours