Origin · Cause · Criminal & Insurance Investigations
What Our Investigators Do
The Monmouth County Fire Marshal's Office provides fire investigation services to all 53 municipalities in the county. Our certified investigators determine the origin and cause of fires using established forensic procedures consistent with NFPA 921 — Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations.
Investigations may be initiated at the request of local fire chiefs, law enforcement, or based on the severity or suspicious nature of an incident.
When Investigations Are Conducted
- Fires resulting in injury or fatality
- Fires with significant property damage
- Fires of suspicious or undetermined origin
- Arson or suspected criminal activity
- Fires involving commercial or public buildings
- Multi-alarm or large-scale incidents
- Request from a local fire chief or law enforcement agency
- Cases potentially involving insurance fraud
Partner Agencies
Investigators work alongside multiple law enforcement and regulatory partners:
- Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office — for cases involving criminal prosecution
- New Jersey Division of Fire Safety — statewide coordination
- New Jersey State Police Arson/Bomb Unit — major or multi-jurisdictional cases
- ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) — federal cases
- Local Fire Departments — initial scene preservation and witness coordination
All findings are documented in comprehensive reports that meet legal evidentiary standards and serve as authoritative records for fire safety, insurance, and judicial proceedings.
