The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is investigating the death and has not yet decided whether to bring criminal charges. The Crown expects to receive a report from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service soon, which must be considered before any final decision on potential criminality can be made. Deputy Chief Officer Andrew Watt said the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is cooperating fully with external investigators.
Martin fell down a flight of stairs within six minutes of entering the building as part of a four-person breathing apparatus team and suffered a catastrophic loss of air after his breathing apparatus kit was damaged, causing a rapid release of oxygen. Martin was the least experienced firefighter present during the incident. His widow, Shelley Martin, has claimed that her husband was sent into the building unprepared and underequipped, leading to his death.
The Lord Advocate has stated that delays in the investigation are due to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The chief fire officer has been written to by the Lord Advocate's office and advised that the report will be available in mid-April. If the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service fails to deliver the report as promised, the Lord Advocate will demand a meeting with Scotland's chief fire officer for an explanation.
The UK's top experts who gave evidence in the Grenfell Tower inquiry have been instructed by the Crown. It remains unknown what specific findings are contained in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service report expected in mid-April, what criminal charges are being considered, or what specific failures by the service are alleged to have contributed to Martin's death.