With an associate’s degree in law enforcement and a bachelor’s degree studying criminal justice, Kelly Johnson, IAAI-CFI, NAFI-CFEI, CVFI, CFII, has developed a solid foundation of excellence as a subject matter expert in forensic fire investigations.

Mr. Johnson has personally investigated or supervised over 2,750 origin and cause investigations, including fires and explosions involving multiple fatalities, as well as complex subrogation issues involving multi-million-dollar losses. His investigations have included first party insurance losses, third party defense work, plaintiff’s work, consumer product liability cases, contractor liability, file review and public safety cases. Investigations have included losses to residences, vehicles, heavy equipment, commercial/industrial structures, marine equipment, and wild land fires.

Mr. Johnson has assisted in coordinating and presenting training to hundreds of insurance professionals and public safety personnel over the last decade, including serving as proctor for many other investigators to obtain certifications as Certified Fire & Explosion Investigators and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigators through the National Association of Fire Investigators. He has actively participated in live burn training of more than 125 structures, more than 250 automobiles, and multiple dozens of appliances. He has assisted with the planning, coordination and delivery of training related to structural and vehicle test burns and explosions involving both hog and human cadavers for the purpose of post-fire and post-blast death investigations.

Mr. Johnson has experience testifying in criminal and civil courts, including testimony for law enforcement provided at municipal, grand jury, county, district court, and US Federal Court in the Comanche Nation Court. Additionally, he has provided testimony relating to civil cases in depositions and/or trial at the district court level, and US District Court (Texas and Louisiana) and in the Comanche Nation Court, including testimony in reference to the origin and cause of fires. Mr. Johnson has been designated as an expert fire investigator in Texas District Court and Comanche Nation Court. He has even served as a jury foreman during a criminal trial.