SUMMARY

 

Mr. Lepper has over thirty years of experience as a consultant, inspector, and evaluator within the automotive industry and more than thirty five years of experience as a forensic automotive consultant.  Mr. Lepper is current in his certification to download and analyze Event Data Recorder (EDR) modules (Black Box).  Mr. Lepper holds certifications through the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) as a Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CFVI) and a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI).  He is also a registered locksmith in the State of California through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services.  Mr. Lepper primarily performs examinations for nationally known insurance companies and law firms.  He is qualified to testify as an expert in the Superior Court for the State of California. 

 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

 

Specialist in automotive, motorcycle, tractor trailer, recreational vehicle (RV), farming, and construction equipment component analysis and mechanical failures in the areas of:

·       Tire Separations and Failures

·       Steering and Suspension Systems

·       Fire Cause and Origin

·       Seat Belt and Air Bag Issues

·       Ignition Lock Cylinder Integrity

·       Mechanical Defects

·       Transponders/Engine Immobilizers

·       Automatic and Manual Transmissions

·       Ignition Key Issues

·       Automotive Paint Issues

·       Aftermarket Alarm Issues

·       Large Truck Issues

·       Automotive Sand and Hail Damage

·       Throttle/Unwanted Acceleration Issues

·       Trailer Brakes and Hub Issues

·       Ignition Key Code Downloading

·       Wiring and Electrical Issues

·       Construction and Farming Equipment

·       Brake Systems and Failures

·       Impact Damage Issues

·       CDR Tool Downloads and Analysis

·       Racetrack / Racecar Incidents

·       Fuel and fluid contamination issues

·       Fluids Laboratory analysis

·       Song-Beverly Act Vehicle Inspections

·       Dealership Vehicle Inspections Issues

 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND LICENSES – CURRENT OR HAVE HELD

 

• National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)

  • Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI) Number 14841-9472v

• National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI)

  • Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator (CFEI) Number 13841-9472

• Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)

• Southern Association of Technical Accident Investigators (SATAI)

• California Conference of Arson Investigators (CCAI)

• Western States Auto Theft Investigators Northern Chapter (WSATI)

• Bureau of Security & Investigative Services

  • Registered locksmith – Registration Number: LOC 13420

• Association of Locksmiths of America (ALOA); member number 61458

• International Association of Investigative Locksmiths (IAIL)

• Approved member of the CDR Group in www.crashdata.info

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - Private Pilot License

• Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National Competition License

• Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) Pro Competition License

• National Auto Sports Association (NASA) Pro Racing License

• Grand – American Competition License and Porsche Club of America Competition License

 

 

EDUCATION

           

University of Albuquerque

Courses Completed In:

Aviation Safety, Systems and Design

​

Southern Illinois University

Major Coursework completed towards:

 Bachelor of Science, Education

 

ADDITIONAL ACCREDITED TRAINING

 

• National Fire, Arson, & Explosion Investigation (CVFI) – September 2017

• National Fire, Arson, & Explosion Investigation (CFEI) – Recertified – September 2017

• CDR – Technicians Refresher Course – August 2009; Garrett Engineers – Recertified 2017

• Intermountain Lock and Security Supply (IML) Security Expo – March 2017

  • Transponder Keys, Key Machines and programming – Certificate of Training

• Intermountain Lock and Security Supply (IML) Security Expo – March 2017

  • Automotive 101– Certificate of Training

• Intermountain Lock and Security Supply (IML) Security Expo – March 2015

  • ILCO Transponders and Key Machines – Certificate of Training

• California Conference of Arson Investigators – March 2013

  • 20 hours training in Advanced Fire/Arson Investigation

• California Conference of Arson Investigators – March 2010

  • 20 hours training in Advanced Fire/Arson Investigation

• CDR – Technicians Refresher Course – August 2009; recertified August of 2016

• California Conference of Arson Investigators –  March 2008

  • 20 hours training in Advanced Fire/Arson Investigation

• ARC – CSI Crash Conference, Las Vegas, NV – June 2004

• Institute of Police Technology and Management – Univ. of North Florida –  February 2004

  • CDR Tool – User Certification Course

• Lee S. Cole Automotive Fire School

• National Police Training Institute

  • Tire Failure and Analysis

• Southwestern Association of Technical Accident Investigators

  • Crash Data Retrieval Systems/ Supplemental Restraints / Crush Stiffness Coefficients

  • Mechanics of Low Speed Impact (Actual Demonstrations)

  • Accident Reconstruction

• National Institute of Forensics Studies

  • Traffic Accident Scene Documentation and Damaged Vehicle Inspection Methodologies

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PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

 

1993 – Present

FORENSIC AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENT/FIRE/TIRE EXPERT

Automotive consultation for nationwide insurance companies, nationally known rental car companies, and law firms.  Investigation of vehicle failures and defects: brakes, transmission, fuel, and suspension systems, tires - including tread separations and other manufacturing defects - air bag and seat belt issues, fire cause and origin, wiring issues, and theft issues.  Investigations of paint damage including application errors, sand and hail damages.  Licensed locksmith in the State of California. Inspections and Court appearances regarding Song-Beverly Act and Dealership Vehicle Inspection Issues.

• Qualified to appear as an expert witness in Superior Court, State of California with over 250 Sworn Testimony Appearances.

• Conducted and participated in over 5,000 investigations consisting of field inspection and scene measurement.  

• Report and correspondence generation.

• Documentation review and analysis.

• Extensive photograph and video experience.

 

1987 – Present

VEHICLE AND TIRE SPECIALIST

Independent tire testing and design consultant for Toyo Tires, Goodyear Tires, Tokico Shocks, B.F. Goodrich Tires, Hankook Tires, and General Motors – Chevrolet Division

 

1986 – 1988

OWNER, TOAD HOLLOW AUTO REPAIR

Full service auto repair facility located in Martinez, California

Race car design and preparation

 

1978 – 1982

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

Race car driver, race car technical inspections, technical race car performance, repair and development work

 

1983 – 1986

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Air Traffic Controller – RADAR Approach Controller

Air Traffic Control Instructor

 

1980 – 1981

Federal Aviation Administration

Air Traffic Control, Oakland Center/Ocean

 

1975 – 1978

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Fully licensed and certified tower and RADAR control; officer/foreign instructor