Fire Investigation Unit Contacts
The Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) with the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal was established in 2017 to strengthen the ability of the fire service and law enforcement community to investigate the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding fires and fire-related deaths throughout North Carolina. FIU investigators respond upon request to assist federal, state, county, and local agencies with fire and explosion investigations while providing specialized resources that help local departments remain staffed and operational during extended investigations.
FIU personnel are trained to respond quickly and assist from the earliest stages of an investigation by providing scene documentation, evidence collection, technical analysis, and investigative support. The unit works closely with local, state, and federal partners, including fire protection engineers, electrical engineers, structural engineers, building code officials, and fire code consultants to support comprehensive fire investigations and determine fire origin and cause.
In addition to investigative support, the Fire Investigation Unit also promotes fire prevention and public safety initiatives through training, public education, and collaboration with fire departments and community organizations across North Carolina. The unit remains committed to reducing fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss through professional investigation, education, and statewide partnership efforts.
To request an OSFM Fire Investigator, contact the State Warning Point at 1-800-858-0368.
Craig Jarman serves as the Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) Supervisor and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Agent for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In this role, he oversees fire and explosion investigations conducted throughout North Carolina while coordinating investigative response efforts with local, state, and federal agencies. Craig works closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and technical experts to support origin and cause investigations, fire-related death investigations, evidence collection, and investigative operations. He also assists with investigator coordination, training initiatives, and statewide fire investigation programs designed to support public safety and reduce fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
Craig Jarman
FIU Supervisor / CID Agent
craig.jarman@ncdoi.gov
919-628-2579
Taylor Marsh serves as a Senior Fire Investigator with the Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In this role, he conducts fire and explosion investigations throughout North Carolina while assisting local, state, and federal agencies with determining the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding fires and fire-related incidents. Taylor works closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and technical experts to support scene examinations, evidence collection, investigative operations, and public safety efforts. He also assists with training initiatives, investigator support, and statewide fire investigation programs designed to reduce fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
Taylor Marsh
Senior Fire Investigator
taylor.marsh@ncdoi.gov
919-621-7207
Jeffrey Bell serves as a Fire Investigator with the Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In this role, he conducts fire and explosion investigations throughout North Carolina while assisting local, state, and federal agencies with determining the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding fires and fire-related incidents. Jeffrey works closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and technical experts to support scene examinations, evidence collection, investigative operations, and public safety efforts. He also assists with training initiatives, investigator support, and statewide fire investigation programs designed to reduce fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
Jeffrey Bell
Fire Investigator
jeffrey.bell@ncdoi.gov
919-218-3396
Kevin Head serves as a Fire Investigator with the Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In this role, he conducts fire and explosion investigations throughout North Carolina while assisting local, state, and federal agencies with determining the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding fires and fire-related incidents. Kevin works closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and technical experts to support scene examinations, evidence collection, investigative operations, and public safety efforts. He also assists with training initiatives, investigator support, and statewide fire investigation programs designed to reduce fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
Kevin Head
Fire Investigator
kevin.head@ncdoi.gov
919-592-5143
Jessica Smith serves as a Fire Investigator and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Agent with the Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In this role, she conducts fire and explosion investigations throughout North Carolina while assisting local, state, and federal agencies with determining the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding fires and fire-related incidents. Jessica works closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and technical experts to support scene examinations, evidence collection, investigative operations, and public safety efforts. She also assists with training initiatives, investigator support, and statewide fire investigation programs designed to reduce fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
Jessica Smith
Fire Investigator / CID Agent
jessica.smith@ncdoi.gov
919-628-2564
Herb Sampson serves as a Fire Investigator and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Agent with the Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In this role, he conducts fire and explosion investigations throughout North Carolina while assisting local, state, and federal agencies with determining the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding fires and fire-related incidents. Herb works closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and technical experts to support scene examinations, evidence collection, investigative operations, and public safety efforts. He also assists with training initiatives, investigator support, and statewide fire investigation programs designed to reduce fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
Herb Sampson
Fire Investigator / CID Agent
herbert.sampson@ncdoi.gov
919-628-2818
Robert McLaughlin serves as a Fire Investigator and Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Agent with the Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In this role, he conducts fire and explosion investigations throughout North Carolina while assisting local, state, and federal agencies with determining the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding fires and fire-related incidents. Robert works closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and technical experts to support scene examinations, evidence collection, investigative operations, and public safety efforts. He also assists with training initiatives, investigator support, and statewide fire investigation programs designed to reduce fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
Robert McLaughlin
Fire Investigator / CID Agent
robert.mclaughlin@ncdoi.gov
984-297-1424
Randy Lanham serves as a Fire Investigator with the Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In this role, he conducts fire and explosion investigations throughout North Carolina while assisting local, state, and federal agencies with determining the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding fires and fire-related incidents. Randy works closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and technical experts to support scene examinations, evidence collection, investigative operations, and public safety efforts. He also assists with training initiatives, investigator support, and statewide fire investigation programs designed to reduce fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
Randy Lanham
Fire Investigator
randy.lanham@ncdoi.gov
919-621-3910
Dwayne Davis serves as a Fire Investigator with the Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for the North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal. In this role, he conducts fire and explosion investigations throughout North Carolina while assisting local, state, and federal agencies with determining the origin, cause, and circumstances surrounding fires and fire-related incidents. Dwayne works closely with fire departments, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and technical experts to support scene examinations, evidence collection, investigative operations, and public safety efforts. He also assists with training initiatives, investigator support, and statewide fire investigation programs designed to reduce fire-related injuries, fatalities, and property loss.
Dwayne Davis
Fire Investigator
dwayne.davis@ncdoi.gov
919-389-9035
