"For decades John Lentini has exposed the myths, investigative failures, and bad actors responsible for wrongful arson convictions, freeing innocent people and restoring ruined reputations along the way. Twice Burned is a fascinating glimpse into a career spent confronting the myriad, terrifying ways in which so-called fire experts get things wrongand the maddening legal fights required to correct their mistakes. Combining wry humor with simmering outrage at the travesties he has seen, Lentini shares crucial lessons to help prevent future miscarriages of justice. It is both a righteous memoir and vital teaching tool by an author whose refusal to stay silent has made him a powerful voice in defense of science and truth". - Liliana Segura, Investigative Journalist, The Intercept
"In his latest book, Twice Burned, John Lentini presents cautionary case studies that illustrate the human cost of fire investigations that did not always meet the highest standards of the profession. By presenting his experiences with these incidents, Mr. Lentini not only unapologetically exposes the technical errors, cognitive biases and, sometimes, misfeasance that led to errors in a fires origin, cause and attribution, but provides corrective actions to prevent future occurrences. Every investigator dedicated to finding truth in fire origin and cause investigations should read this book and apply the lessons to inch ever closer to the goal of getting it right every time". - Steven J. Avato, IAAI-CFI, ATF Supervisory Special Agent (Retired), Fire Investigations Captain (Retired)
"John Lentinis Twice Burned is a compelling exploration of the evolving field of fire science and its impact on arson investigations. As a renowned expert in fire science, Lentini presents a series of case histories where advancements in its understanding came too late, resulting in wrongful arson convictions. Lentinis artful recounting of these cases, and how they were eventually overturned, underscores the critical importance of continuous learning and skepticism in our field.
Twice Burned, like his earlier books, is an essential read for all fire investigators. Its a call to action for our profession to embrace the spirit of scientific advancement, reminding us that what we dont know can have profound consequences on peoples lives and liberties." - Steve Carman, ATF CFI, retired
