Vithyaa Thavapalan : Breaking Barriers While Breaking Down Burn Patterns, and Going Solo utilising the latest in Ai Technology

CSI on Fire

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The amazing Vithyaa Thavapalan joins me to talk all things FI — and becomes the very first guest to turn the tables on me!

That kind of bold, dynamic energy is nothing new for this powerhouse in the FI space. 💥

Learn more about Vithyaa here:

When Vithyaa realized her social life was too important for medical school, she never imagined it would lead her to dismantling IEDs in a forensic laboratory and ultimately becoming one of Australia's most innovative fire investigators. Her unconventional path bypassed the traditional fire service route, instead securing an internship while still completing her studies—a move that accelerated her career and positioned her uniquely in the field.
Now approaching the first anniversary of launching Origin & Cause, Vithya's entrepreneurial spirit shines as she balances solo fire investigation with community leadership. Her work on mine fires takes her to remote locations across Australia, examining multimillion-dollar machinery failures where companies desperately need answers to restore operations. These investigations require not just technical skill but the ability to understand complex mechanical systems while working in challenging environments—sometimes climbing through massive haul trucks in scorching heat.
Beyond her technical expertise, Vithya has transformed how fire investigators approach cases involving domestic violence, creating comprehensive guidelines that address a critical gap in traditional training. As a woman of South Asian descent in a predominantly white male industry, she faced persistent skepticism about her capabilities, from assumptions she wouldn't return after having children to surprise when her reports demonstrated deep technical knowledge. Rather than becoming discouraged, these experiences inspired her to create Brown Boss Babes, now a nationwide organization supporting women of color across Australia.
Perhaps most fascinating is her innovative approach to quality assurance—developing an AI system trained on established fire investigation texts to review her reports in the absence of colleague peer review. This balance of traditional forensic practice with cutting-edge technology exemplifies how the next generation of investigators is reshaping the field.
Whether you're considering a career in fire investigation, interested in the challenges facing women in technical fields, or simply curious about what happens after the flames are extinguished, Vithya's story offers rare insight into the evolving world of forensic fire science. Subscribe to CSI on Fire for more conversations with the passionate professionals working behind the scenes to uncover the truth in the aftermath of destruction.

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Chapters

1. Welcome to CSI on Fire (00:00:00)

2. Meeting Vithya: From Med School to Fire Scenes (00:03:59)

3. Starting Origin & Cause: Going Solo (00:07:36)

4. Mine Fire Investigations: Multimillion-Dollar Machines (00:14:32)

5. Brown Boss Babes: Creating Community Spaces (00:20:09)

6. EV Fires and Future of Investigation (00:28:44)

7. AI in Report Review (00:36:19)

8. Future Plans and Podcast Evolution (00:38:32)

39 episodes

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