OUR EXPERTS
Southern Forensic Services, LLC experts are certified fire, explosion and marine investigators with the ability to aid in all of your forensic investigation needs. We are ready and willing to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
See below to view bios on each of our experts.
Glen Lawson, CFEI, CMI, CMI Instructor
Principal Forensic Fire Specialist
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Phone: 504-222-2915
Glen Lawson is a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator as well as a Certified Marine Investigator. Mr. Lawson’s background includes fire service, law enforcement, and private industry work that spans over 25 years. Mr. Lawson served on local and state law enforcement levels before his time in the private industry with a major insurance carrier. Mr. Lawson is not only skilled in the public sector, but also in the insurance industry where he spent ten years with the SIU fire division of a major insurance company. During his tenure as an insurance professional, Mr. Lawson held the titles of fire investigator, and lead fire investigator, and participated in the leadership development program. Mr. Lawson has testified in both state and federal courts as an expert witness in both fire and marine investigations. Mr. Lawson has held certifications as a police officer, firefighter 1 and 2, fire inspector 1 and 2, HAZ-MAT, Certified Marine Investigator, Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator and LA Certified Fire Investigator. During his tenure as a state investigator, Mr. Lawson was selected as the 2004 LA Investigator of the year through the LA Chapter of IAAI.
Mr. Lawson was a director for the International Association of Marine Investigators from 2013-2016. He currently serves as the Southern Regional Coordinator.
Brian F. Gsell, P.E., CFEI, CMI
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Phone: 866-388-9334
Cell: 281-615-1929
Brian F. Gsell, P.E., CFEI, CMI - Mr. Gsell received a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering Technology from the University of Hartford in 1981 and a Master of Science Degree in Engineering Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1992. Mr. Gsell is also a Certified Fire and Explosion Investigator, an IAMI Certified Marine Investigator, and a licensed Professional Electrical Engineer in Power Systems in the State of Texas.
His professional career includes over 35 years experience in the field of electrical engineering, testing, and failure analysis.
A sampling of subjects investigated by Mr. Gsell are:
- Industrial, commercial, and residential electrical fires
- Arc-flash incidents
- Marine electrical systems
- Electrocution and electrical shock incidents
- Electrical appliances
- HVAC systems
- Lighting system hardware
- Neon sign fires
- Automotive electrical systems
- Lightning strike damage evaluations
- Hazardous-location equipment
- Electrostatic discharge ignition of vapors
- Hurricane and flood related damage evaluations of electrical equipment
- Code compliance issues including:
- National Electrical Code (NEC)
- National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
- Electrical workplace safety compliance (OSHA, MSHA, and NFPA 70E)
Capt. Miles J Watts Jr., Fire Consultant, FAA Remote Drone Pilot, USCG Licensed Captain, PDAI Certified Diver, Professional Safety Diver
Captain Miles Watts has been working in the field of Fire and Emergency services for over 30 years. Having started his career in the Mountains of Colorado as a Volunteer Firefighter Miles then moved back to his hometown of New Orleans where he worked the streets as a Rescue Technician and Paramedic. Miles career then carried him to Mandeville Fire Department where he served for 20 years as a Fire Equipment Operator/Paramedic. Miles holds several certifications, some are Level I HAZMAT Technician, Rope Rescue Technician, Level I Fire Instructor, and Fire Investigator. Miles has also served as a Flight Paramedic for Ochsner Rescue 9 serving the counties of Southwest Mississippi. Being a Level II Rescue Swimmer and Certified PADI Diver Miles put those skills to use as an Instructor and Safety Diver for Shell Oil where he taught Water Safety and Survival and Helicopter Underwater Egress. With his affinity for water Miles became a USCG Licensed Captain and Fishing Guide. With his over 27 years as a Paramedic Miles has used that experience working as an Expert Witness testifying on several cases. With the technological advances in Investigations Miles holds the license of FAA Remote Pilot and can fly a variety of drones. Miles is also capable of the operation of remotely controlled underwater drones. Miles is well versed in Digital Photography and the use of the Matterport 3d Camera System. Miles is currently a Member of the International Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Marine Investigators and National Association of Fire Investigators.