Recent News

Mr. Lentini appeared an ABC News 20/20 on Friday, May 7, 2010

Innocence Project Work Progresses

In 2006, Mr. Lentini chaired a group of fire investigators commissioned by the Innocence Project to examine two cases in Texas, one that resulted in the exoneration of a man sent to death row for arson and murder, and one that resulted in the execution of another man. The Arson Review Committee submitted its report to the newly organized Texas Forensic Science Commission, which, in 2008, decided to make that its first formal investigation. The Commission hired Dr. Craig Beyler, of Hughes Associates of Columbia Maryland, to review the cases of Ernest Willis and Cameron Todd Willingham. Dr. Beyler's report, released in August 2009, mirrored the findings of the Arson Review Committee, and was even more critical of the bad science used to obtain both convictions.

Coincidentally, David Grann of the New Yorker was working on a piece about the Willingham execution, and Mr. Lentini was interviewed for that piece. View New Yorker Article

The reverberations of the New Yorker article are expected to continue for some time. Editorials in the New York Times and other places are calling for a re-examination of the justice system.

Mr. Lentini was interviewed for Science Magazine as a result of the concerns raised in the New Yorker article. View Science Magazine Article

John Lentini Invited to Speak

On March 17 2007, Mr. Lentini was the keynote speaker at the Innocence Network's national conference at the Harvard Law School.

On April 23 2007, Mr. Lentini gave an invited presentation to the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Science Community. The title of his presentation was 'The State of the Art in Fire Investigation.'

Relocation

To paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of my retirement are greatly exaggerated, but a change is in the works. Since 2001, I have owned a second home in the lower Florida Keys, but I have been unable to go there often enough. The air in Atlanta has gotten less breather-friendly, and my wife's arthritis improves when it is warm. So, despite the fact that we will need to dodge an occasional hurricane, I am relocating my practice to a better place.

I love my work, and hope to stay as busy as I have ever been with that work. I simply want to live closer to my boat, own only one home, and let someone else handle the day-to-day administration of the business at ATS. I am leaving that business in Jeff Morrill's capable hands, but will maintain an active interest in ATS as a technical adviser and contract consultant. My 28 years at ATS have been good ones, and I appreciate the support that my colleagues there have provided over the years.

Although I still visit two or three fire scenes a month, my practice has largely evolved into one in which I review data, documents and photographs, and communicate by phone and e-mail. There is no reason that cannot continue from a more comfortable location. My new home is less than an hour from Key West International Airport, so I will be able to travel for work when necessary. I also have access to offices in Ft. Lauderdale for depositions or meetings.

I am grateful for your previous confidence in my abilities as a fire investigator and consultant, and hope that our relationship continues until one of us decides it is time to really retire. For me, that decision is many years off.

I have obtained the necessary Florida licenses and will be doing business as Scientific Fire Analysis, LLC. My address is 32836 Bimini Lane, Big Pine Key, FL 33043. My phone number is 770-815-6392. My e-mail is Scientific.Fire@yahoo.com

Don't be a stranger. And if you feel the need for some time in a tropical paradise, we have a guest room, and would welcome a visit.