Meet Our Team

Our team of fire experts is made up highly trained and vastly experienced personnel with backgrounds in fire and explosion investigations, public safety, and insurance claims. Due to our public safety background, we have experienced first-hand how a variety of factors can affect the growth and spread of a fire. We feel this experience gives us a true advantage over others when we are both mentally and physically reconstructing a fire scene and developing a hypothesis of the sequence of events that contributed to the cause of the fire.

Each assignment will be approached with no preconceived notions and our investigators will simply let the available evidence speak for itself.  All investigations are performed under the guidelines set forth in current editions of NFPA 921: Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations.   As such, the Scientific Method of Investigation is employed: where data from a wide variety of sources is collected and analyzed, hypotheses are developed and tested, and a final hypothesis is selected based on the facts of the data analysis and evidence.  We hope you will find our honesty and integrity somewhat refreshing. 

We strive for open communication and will not accept an assignment and then disappear for the duration of the assignment.  You will be provided with verbal status reports from the scenes, as well as interim status reports throughout the investigation.  Our investigators have the analytical thought and critical thinking ability to collect and analyze a wide variety of complex data through investigation and research, and synthesize the data into a cohesive and comprehensive written report that withstands legal challenges and scrutiny. Every investigation will be conducted in such a manner that every piece of evidence will be admissible in a court of law and every judge and jury will easily understand the facts, after one of our court-seasoned Investigators presents the evidence. 

By working with forensic engineers and other available professionals, we are able to provide a complete and thorough examination and analysis of the fire or explosion event. We use qualified scientific laboratories to process evidence which enables us to obtain test results in an efficient and timely manner.

Proper evidence handling and storage techniques are consistently followed to preserve the value of any evidence collected from a fire for possible presentation in court.

We would like to have the opportunity to serve your company or firm. We believe we can positively impact your investigative needs by responding to scenes within 48 hours of receiving the assignment, if not sooner.  Our investigative staff will tell you up-front when we cannot do so.  Our office has the capability of submitting a full electronic report to you.  It is the goal of all investigators to submit their final peer reviewed report to the client within 14 days of completion of the fire scene examination, making the turnaround for you, the client, as fast as possible.  If this goal will not be met, you will be advised.

Tim Smith


IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI
Senior Fire Investigator / Forensic Locksmith
(404) 596-9118
tsmith@cfi-fire.com

Steve Forren


IAAI-CFI (V), CFEI
Senior Fire Investigator
(678) 630-9721
sforren@cfi-fire.com

Danny Irions


IAAI-CFI, CFEI
Senior Fire Investigator
(706) 325-3185
dirions@cfi-fire.com

Mark Whatley


IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI
Senior Fire Investigator
(817) 789-8251
mwhatley@cfi-fire.com

Matt Rice


IAAI-CFI
Senior Fire Investigator
(843) 655-2732
mrice@cfi-fire.com

Gary Bean


IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CVFI
Senior Fire Investigator
(864) 417-7686
gbean@cfi-fire.com

Mike Carlyle


IAAI-CFI, CFEI
Senior Fire Investigator
(470) 233-0098
mcarlyle@cfi-fire.com

Robert “Bob” Klitsch


IAAI-CFI
Senior Fire Investigator
(912) 665-0866
bklitsch@cfi-fire.com

Nathan Hawkins


IAAI-CFI, CFEI
Senior Fire Investigator
(404) 859-7749
nhawkins@cfi-fire.com

Ron Eaker


IAAI-CFI
Senior Fire Investigator
Tennessee Field Office
(731) 363-9728
reaker@cfi-fire.com

Tim Smith Bio


Tim is a private sector forensic fire investigator with seventeen (17) years of experience in the investigation, analysis, and determination of the origin and cause of fires and explosions involving structures, vehicles, heavy equipment and marine craft. Tim’s experience includes over fourteen (14) years of fire service experience.  Tim has investigated numerous fires which have involved criminal arson investigations; and have included single and multi-family complexes, commercial properties, liability defense cases, subrogation cases, and incidents involving multiple fatalities and/or serious bodily injury.  Tim has testified in depositions and courts of law relating to origin and cause investigations.

As a Forensic Locksmith, Tim has the ability to determine if a vehicle’s security systems have been bypassed.  Tim also has the ability to systematically do an examination of a lock, other security device, or associated equipment using scientific methods to determine if and how the device was opened, neutralized, or bypassed. These examinations include the use of various types of forensic techniques, and includes microscopic examination, microphotography, regular photography, physical disassembly of the device or devices, and on occasion laboratory techniques, such as metallurgy and tool mark identification may be conducted.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Residential Properties, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Industrial facilities, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Agricultural Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, Vehicles, and Forensic Lock Examinations.

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Steve Forren Bio


Steve is a private sector forensic fire investigator with over twenty (20) years of experience in the investigation, analysis, and determination of the origin and cause of fires and explosions involving structures, vehicles, heavy equipment and marine craft.  Steve’s experience includes a combined seventeen (17) years of fire service experience and six (6) combined years in leadership roles as a Field Supervisor, Territorial Manager and District Manager for a national firm.

Steve has investigated numerous fires which have involved criminal arson investigations and have included single and multi-family complexes, commercial properties, environmental crimes, multi-million dollar losses, liability defense cases, subrogation cases, and incidents involving multiple fatalities and/or serious bodily injury.  He has testified in depositions and courts of law relating to origin and cause investigations.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Residential Properties, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Industrial facilities, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Agricultural Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, and Vehicles.

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Danny Irions Bio


Danny is a private sector forensic fire investigator with over fifteen (15) years of experience in the investigation, analysis, and determination of the origin and cause of fires involving structures and vehicles.  He also has over twenty-five (25) combined years of fire service and law enforcement experience.  Danny has investigated numerous fires which have involved criminal arson investigations; including single and multi-family complexes, commercial properties, incidents involving multiple fatalities and/or serious bodily injury, wildland fires, and post blast investigations.  He has testified in courts of law relating to origin and cause investigations

As a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) - Hazardous Device School, Danny is an expert at all types of hazardous devices and post-blast explosive investigations.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Residential Properties, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Agricultural Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, Vehicles, and explosive post-blast investigations.

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Mark Whatley Bio


Mark is a private sector forensic investigator with over twenty-five (25) years of experience in origin and cause investigation of fires and explosions involving dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings and installations, oil field installations, motor vehicles, commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, and heavy equipment.  He holds three nationally recognized professional certifications in the field.  Mark’s experience includes a combined ten (10) years in law enforcement and property insurance claims adjusting, and thirteen (13) combined years in leadership roles as Territorial Manager and Field Supervisor/Fire Investigation Team Lead for a national firm.

He has qualified and testified as an expert witness on multiple occasions for trials and depositions concerning origin and cause opinions in state and federal courts.  His skillset includes excellent verbal and written communication; analytical thought; critical thinking; ability to collect and analyze a wide variety of complex data through investigation and research and synthesize the data into a cohesive and comprehensive written report that withstands legal challenges and scrutiny.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Residential Properties, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Industrial facilities, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Agricultural Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, Oil Field Installations, Commercial Trucks, and Vehicles.

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Matt Rice Bio


Matt is a private sector forensic investigator with over seven (7) years of experience in origin and cause investigation of fires and explosions involving dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings and installations, motor vehicles, commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, and heavy equipment.  Matt’s experience includes thirty (30) years in the fire service, he is a fire service instructor and teaches multiple fire service classes including the basic fire investigations class at the South Carolina State Fire Academy.

He has qualified and testified as an expert witness on multiple occasions for trials and depositions concerning origin and cause opinions in state courts.  His skillset includes excellent verbal and written communication; analytical thought; critical thinking; ability to collect and analyze a wide variety of complex data through investigation and research and synthesize the data into a cohesive and comprehensive written report that withstands legal challenges and scrutiny.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Residential Properties, Industrial facilities, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, Commercial Trucks, and Vehicles.

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David Adams Bio


David is a private sector forensic investigator with over twenty-six (26) years of experience in origin and cause investigation of fires and explosions involving dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings and installations, motor vehicles, commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, Marine craft, agricultural and heavy equipment.  David’s experience includes a combined thirty-nine (39) years combined experience in fire service, law enforcement and private industry experience.

He has qualified and testified as an expert witness on multiple occasions for trials and depositions concerning origin and cause opinions in state and federal courts.  His skillset includes excellent verbal and written communication; analytical thought; critical thinking; ability to collect and analyze a wide variety of complex data through investigation and research and synthesize the data into a cohesive and comprehensive written report that withstands legal challenges and scrutiny.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Industrial facilities, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Agricultural Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, Oil Field Installations, Commercial Trucks, and Vehicles.

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Gary Bean Bio


Gary is a private sector forensic investigator with over twenty-three (23) years of experience in origin and cause investigation of fires and explosions involving dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings and installations, motor vehicles, commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, and heavy equipment.  Gary’s experience also includes over thirty (30) years of fire service experience.

Gary has investigated over 3,000 fire scenes which have involved criminal arson investigations and have included single and multi-family complexes, commercial properties, environmental crimes, multi-million dollar losses, liability defense cases, subrogation cases, and incidents involving multiple fatalities and/or serious bodily injury.  He has testified in depositions and courts of law relating to origin and cause investigations.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Residential Properties, Industrial facilities, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, Commercial Trucks, and Vehicles.

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Mike Carlyle Bio


Mike is a private sector investigator with nine (9) years of experience in fire origin and cause investigations. The types of investigations include fire loss involving large multi-family dwelling, high-rise buildings, large and small single-family dwellings, large commercial structures, fire deaths, vehicle fires including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, heavy equipment and fire deaths. Mike has over twenty (20) years of experience in fire service which include fire suppression, fire inspections, hazardous materials response, and fire investigations. He has qualified and testified as an expert witness for criminal trials for prosecution on multiple occasions. His skillset includes excellent verbal and written communication; analytical thought; critical thinking; ability to collect and analyze a wide variety of complex data through investigation and research and synthesize the data into a cohesive and comprehensive written report that withstands legal challenges and scrutiny.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Residential Properties, Industrial facilities, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, High-Rise Structures, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Heavy Equipment, Commercial Trucks, and Vehicles.

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Bob Klitsch Bio


Bob is a private investigator with over twenty-eight (28) years of experience in origin and cause investigation of fires and explosions involving dwellings, commercial and industrial buildings and installations, motor vehicles, commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, agricultural, forestry, and heavy equipment. Bob’s experience includes over forty-four (44) years combined experience in fire service, law enforcement, and private industry.

Bob has investigated numerous fire scenes which have involved criminal arson investigations, and have included single and multi-family complexes, commercial and industrial properties, vehicles, commercial trucks, forestry and heavy equipment, marine craft, wildlands, multi-million dollar losses, liability defense cases, subrogation cases, and incidents involving multiple fatalities and/or serious bodily injury.  He has qualified and testified as an expert witness regarding origin and cause investigation for trails and depositions in state and federal courts.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to: Residential properties, Commercial properties, Industrial facilities, Multi-family complexes, Wildlands, Recreational vehicles (RV), Forestry and Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, Commercial Trucks, and Vehicles.

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Nathan Hawkins Bio


Nathan is a private sector forensic fire investigator with over twelve (12) years of experience in the investigation, analysis, and determination of the origin and cause of fires involving structures, vehicles, heavy equipment, and marine craft.  Nathan has nearly twenty (20) years of combined fire service and law enforcement experience; achieving the rank of Lieutenant within the Fire Investigation Unit of a metro Atlanta department.

Nathan has investigated numerous fires involving crimes of arson and civil unrest; including single and multi-family complexes, commercial properties, incidents involving multiple fatalities and/or serious bodily injury, wildfires, and post blast investigations.  He has testified in courts of law relating to the origin and cause of fires.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to: Residential Properties, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Agricultural Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Vehicles, and Marine Craft.

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Ron Eaker Bio


Ron is a private sector forensic fire investigator with over twenty (20) years of experience in the investigation, analysis, and determination of the origin and cause of fires and explosions involving structures, vehicles, heavy equipment and marine craft.  Ron’s experience includes a combined nineteen (19) years of law enforcement experience.

Ron has investigated numerous fires which have involved criminal arson investigations and have included single and multi-family complexes, commercial properties, multi-million dollar losses, liability defense cases, subrogation cases, and incidents involving multiple fatalities and/or serious bodily injury.  He has testified in depositions relating to origin and cause investigations.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Residential Properties, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Industrial facilities, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Agricultural Equipment, Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, and Vehicles.

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Ashley Cornelison Bio


Ashley is a private sector forensic investigator with over ten (10) years of experience in origin and cause investigation of fires and explosions involving structures, commercial and industrial buildings and installations, motor vehicles, commercial trucks, recreational vehicles, and heavy equipment.  Ashley’s experience also includes over twenty (20) years of fire service experience.

Ashley has investigated numerous fires which have involved criminal arson investigations and have included single and multi-family complexes, commercial properties, multi-million dollar losses, liability defense cases, subrogation cases, and incidents involving multiple fatalities and/or serious bodily injury.  He has testified in depositions relating to origin and cause investigations.

Investigation specialties include, but are not limited to:  Residential Properties, Industrial facilities, Multi-family apartment complexes, Commercial Properties, Recreational Vehicles (RV), Heavy Equipment, Marine Craft, Commercial Trucks, and Vehicles.

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