Fire and explosions specialist Lucy Pinkard was invited to present at the Airmic Island of Ireland Lunch & Learn, where she explored the growing risks posed by lithium‑ion batteries. Her session generated strong interest from attendees keen to understand the science behind these increasingly common devices. Following the event, Lucy expanded on her insights in a published article in Airmic News, offering a clear and accessible explanation of why lithium-ion‑ batteries present such complex challenges for risk professionals.

In her article, Lucy explains that lithium-ion batteries are now embedded in everyday life, powering everything from mobile phones and laptops to electric vehicles, e-bikes and e-scooters. Their high energy density makes them efficient but also potentially hazardous. She describes the phenomenon of thermal runaway, the self-heating process that can cause batteries to vent flammable gases, ignite, explode or release toxic byproducts such as hydrogen fluoride. These incidents, she notes, can result not only from manufacturing defects or design flaws, but also from environmental stress, incompatible chargers, DIY modifications and poor-quality components.

Lucy highlights the dramatic rise in fires linked to personal light electric vehicles (such as e-bikes and e-scooters), referencing data from the Office for Product Safety Standards and the significant increase in callouts recorded by the London Fire Brigade. She also underscores the challenges investigators face when examining fires involving lithium‑ion cells, as battery components can be projected across rooms and secondary fires may obscure the original source of ignition.

Her article stresses that the risk landscape is evolving quickly. She encourages risk professionals to take a proactive approach: identifying hazards early, ensuring that claims and investigations draw on specialist forensic expertise, promoting safe storage and charging practices, monitoring regulatory developments and incorporating battery risks into wider crisis planning. She also notes the potential for deliberate misuse, adding another layer of concern for organisations.

Lucy is an Associate Forensic Investigator and a specialist in fire and explosion investigation, with a background spanning forensic science, policing and academia. She began her career as an Analytical Scientist, before joining Avon and Somerset Constabulary as a Crime Scene Investigator, DNA Laboratory Analyst and Crime Scene Manager, working on major incidents, high-profile cases and arson investigations, and earning a Police commendation. She later completed a Masters in the Forensic Investigation of Explosives and Explosions at Cranfield University, focusing on lithium-ion battery thermal runaway. Lucy now lectures and trains investigators in fire and crime scene disciplines while supporting the development of future forensic scientists. She has investigated a wide range of domestic and commercial fires and is based in Hawkins’ Bristol office.

You can read Lucy’s article on page’s 27-28 in Airmic News Vol.06

From April to June 2026, join experts from across Hawkins as they host our International Webinar Series, featuring specialists from our global office locations.

This series covers a wide range of topics, including material and mechanical failures, lithium‑ion batteries, bridge forensics, bolted connection failures, and risk in indoor climbing.

For webinar details and to register, please see below.

If you would like further information on each webinar before registering, simply click on the titles. Our events page provides details of other Hawkins events that you may find of interest.

We are delighted to announce the continued expansion of Hawkins by welcoming Principal Associate, Dr Tom Peat, to our new Abu Dhabi office. 

Tom graduated with an MEng in Aero-Mechanical Engineering from the University of Strathclyde in 2013, completing an international research project at the Universitat Politècnica de València in Spain. He began his career as a Supplier Quality Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, where he worked on improving manufacturing processes and led investigations into material failures, developing solutions that enhanced production quality. 

Driven by a passion for materials science, Tom went on to complete a PhD in Advanced Surface Engineering at Strathclyde, pioneering innovative techniques to create erosion-resistant composite surfaces. His research was published in leading academic journals and presented at international conferences. 

Since joining Hawkins in 2017, Tom has investigated over 400 cases involving fires, explosions, escapes of fluid, and engineering failures. His work spans all scales of losses from domestic claims to multi-million-pound losses across the UK and internationally. Tom has produced expert reports for Pursuers and Defenders and has given expert evidence in the Sheriff Courts. Tom brings exceptional technical expertise and investigative experience to his new role leading our growing team in Abu Dhabi. 

Please join us in giving Tom a warm welcome as he embarks on this exciting new chapter. 

It was a pleasure to host an immersive forensic fun day at our London office, attended by graduates and professionals from leading insurance companies including Ecclesiastical, Hiscox, RSA, Chubb, Brit Insurance, AIG, Intact, and Crawfords. Guests explored the world of forensic investigation through a series of interactive activities that demonstrated how Hawkins experts approach incidents to determine root causes. These sessions provided valuable insight into the science and techniques behind our investigations, highlighting the depth of analysis and expertise that supports insurers in resolving complex claims.