Mark Howell

David “Mark” Howell is both the Director and Senior Fire Analyst of Advanced Investigative Concepts (AIC-Fire Investigations), which is a Texas Department of Public Safety licensed private investigation company (TOPS License Number A10050) specializing in fire origin and cause investigations since 2000. Mark has extensive experience in the fire service and investigative fields. He owns and operates AIC-Fire Investigations with his wife Mable. They reside in Denton, Texas where their office is also located.

Mark has been certified as a Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI) with the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) since 2002, IAAI Motor Vehicle Fire Credential Endorsement (IAAI CFI(V)) since 2017, the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI) Certified Fire and Explosives Investigator (NAFI-CFEI) certification since 2001 and the NAFI Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (NAFI-CVFI) since 2017. With the Carrollton Fire Department, he was certified as a State of Texas Advanced Firefighter, Advanced Arson Investigator, Intermediate Instructor, Peace Officer, and Advanced Fire Inspector.

Mark has investigated over 3500 fires and has testified as an expert witness over 60 times in both state and federal criminal arson related trials, civil trials, and given depositions involving fire investigations. Since 2002, the majority of his investigations have been in civil courts representing both plaintiff and defense in product liability cases.

For twenty-seven years he served as a Firefighter and the Fire/Arson Investigator for the City of Carrollton, Texas Fire Department. After serving eight years as Carrollton’s Arson Investigator, he was appointed Special Deputy United States Marshal, and was assigned to the United States Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Dallas Group II Bomb and Arson Task Force. Mark retired from municipal fire service and the ATF task force after a very successful law enforcement career.

Mark's accolades include being nominated by the A.T.F. Dallas Group II supervisors for the National Association of Police Organizations’ national award of "Top Cop”, being twice been presented the Excellence in Service award, and once the Carrollton Ambassador award by the City of Carrollton along with numerous other commendations.

Mark is past-president of the North Texas Fire Investigators' Association (NTFIA) and served several years as NTFIA Secretary/Treasurer. He is a past Director of A Texas Advisory Council on Arson (ATAC). Besides his affiliation with NTFIA and ATAC, Mark holds memberships in the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), the Texas Chapter of IAAI, the National Association of Fire Investigators (NAFI). Past memberships included; the North Texas Chapter of International Association of Special Investigative Units (NTASIU), the Texas Police Association (TPA), and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

As Director/Senior Fire Analyst with Advanced Investigative Concepts/AIC-Fire Investigations, Mark provides fire and explosion scene analyses involving residential and commercial structures, vehicle fire analyses including motor-homes, RVs, tractor-trailers, construction equipment, agricultural equipment and automobiles. His experience includes investigations involving marine vessels, agricultural equipment and oil field equipment. Mark represents major manufacturers in product liability cases and builder/sub-contractor liability defense cases.