The Fire & Explosives Investigation Unit (FEIU), otherwise known as “FIB,” is charged with the responsibility of investigating all fires, explosions, or other emergencies within Anne Arundel County with unknown causes. The FEIU investigates approximately 500 fire incidents and 100 explosive-related incidents annually.

Fire Investigators are sworn police officers who enforce fire and explosive laws of the State of Maryland and Anne Arundel County.

The Fire Investigation Unit is responsible for:

·       The enforcement of the fire and explosives laws of the State of Maryland and Anne Arundel County

·       The reduction/elimination of arson, bombings, and other fire service-related crimes

·       The determination of the origin and cause of all fire and/or explosive incidents within

                   the county

·       Bring to justice all violators of the fire and explosive laws of the State and County

There are multiple aspects of a fire investigation including: scene examination, evidence collection, photography, interview & interrogation, and effecting an arrest when appropriate. During large-scale or more complex investigations, multiple investigators, supervisors, and Fire Investigation Units from surrounding Local, State, and Federal jurisdictions may respond to the incident.

The FEIU currently operates an accelerant detection canine team. The accelerant detection canine team is certified by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). Canines can detect minute traces of accelerants often used in fires and can lead investigators to a specific location where physical samples can be taken, analyzed, and confirmed by special forensic laboratories.

The Fire Investigation Unit also conducts new hire background investigations, internal investigations, and burn/explosive injury investigations and offers assistance to neighboring agencies requesting fire investigation services.

FEIU Investigators are required to maintain the high demand for continued annual training. Over the last year, investigators traveled across the United States and attended the National Fire Academy to enhance their fire investigation knowledge, training, and experience in subject matter areas such as fire scene fatalities, vehicle fires, marine fires, post-blast explosion training through the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives as well as many other areas. 

In 2023, all investigators within the Fire & Explosives Investigation Unit became CFEIs, Certified Fire Explosion Investigators by the National Association of Fire Investigators. This is a true testament to the high level of professionalism and expertise that the members of the Anne Arundel County Fire & Explosives Investigation unit possess. Two investigators within the unit, currently hold the CFI designation, Certified Fire Investigator by the International Association of Arson Investigators. Currently, only approximately 4000 investigators hold this designation worldwide. Additionally, 2 members of the FEIU received their FAA Part 107 Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drone) license, and 1 investigator became certified as a Youth Fire Setter program educator. 

Fire Investigation Stats

Fire Investigation Unit 2023

·       # responses 527

·       # cases 199

·       # cases closed 128

·       # cases closed by arrest 22

·       # fatalities 7

Dollars loss Building: $8,023,625 Contents: $2,565,510