Matt Bonner, Head of Investigation Technology at Black Rainbow Group, shares his insights into the challenges of fire investigations and how NIMBUS is helping to shape the future of the sector
Can you tell us about your background and transition to BlackRainbow?
I completed a 30-year policing career. The first half was in Hertfordshire county force and the second half in the Metropolitan Police Service as a senior investigating officer on the homicide Serious Crime Command, leading investigations into homicides and suspicious deaths, including workplace and health and safety cases.
Towards the end of my career, I got involved in training and met the team at Black Rainbow during a session.
We discussed their forensic submissions and quality management software and they wanted to expand into case management.
They asked me to lead that transition. I retired on Sunday and started with BlackRainbow on Monday. I haven’t looked back.
Please can you introduce BlackRainbow, its mission and NIMBUS?
BlackRainbow is a software company focused on shortening the investigation lifecycle—helping investigators reach conclusions quicker, more effectively and efficiently.
NIMBUS has three components: NIMBUS Intelligence, a fully functioning intelligence management system for recording and developing intelligence into investigations; NIMBUS Investigator, the case investigation platform that manages exhibits, actions, activities and disclosure processes; and NIMBUS Forensics, which manages forensic submissions, both digital and traditional.
It’s a comprehensive solution for various types of investigations, used by both law enforcement and corporate sectors globally.
How does NIMBUS facilitate collaboration in complex fire investigations?
By managing the process, as investigations share core principles—identifying knowns, documenting them, identifying what’s needed, setting tasks to fill gaps and carrying out the work.
This applies to fire or criminal investigations, enabling collaboration through a structured approach.
Which NIMBUS features are most useful for fire investigators and how does it ensure evidence integrity?
NIMBUS excels in managing scene investigation outputs, including exhibit handling and integrity.
It records what was seized, where and under what circumstances and attaches additional data like photos or videos.
It serves as a central repository, allowing investigators to revisit the system to understand the lifecycle of each exhibit and the investigation.
How does NIMBUS maintain a defensible chain of evidence in fire investigations?
NIMBUS uses customisable workflows to align with an organisation’s systems and processes.
Whether it’s specific forms, authorities, or investigation methods, NIMBUS ensures evidence handling is repeatable and reliable, maintaining integrity.
What common challenges do fire investigators face and how can technology help?
A major challenge is the devastation of the scene by the fire and emergency response, which can destroy evidence.
Attention to detail is critical as only small pieces may indicate what happened.
Technology like NIMBUS makes the process easier and more reliable compared to using notes and notebooks.
For example, using a tripod and 3D scanning preserves the scene accurately.
NIMBUS allows recording policy files, setting investigative priorities with timestamps and rationales and adjusting tasks and activities accordingly.
It adapts to the lead investigator’s directions, ensuring all details are managed and the investigation remains sound.
What are the future trends in fire investigation technology?
Fire investigation is similar to other investigations, with increasing digital evidence from smart devices.
The shift to a digital space means software must handle larger data volumes.
NIMBUS aims to manage this volume effectively, using AI to support data sifting instead of relying solely on manual efforts.