A career as an arson investigator provides a varied and exciting workday. An arson or fire investigator’s primary responsibility is to figure out how and why a fire started. A person must have knowledge of forensic evidence techniques, engineering, scientific aspects of fire behavior, and investigative skills to work as an arson investigator. A private insurance company, an attorney, or public service agencies such as a fire department or a federal agency may hire an investigator.
Formal training is required for someone who wants to work as an arson investigator. University degree programs in fire science are available. Fire behavior, fluid mechanics, analysis, and practical simulations in lab settings are all covered in these programs. Courses in structural engineering, chemistry, criminal law, photography, and forensic evidence techniques are also valuable. A minimum of an associate’s degree is required most agencies.
Someone who wants to work as an arson investigator should have excellent people skills. For good reason, law enforcement training includes interviewing and interrogation techniques. Arson investigators frequently speak with witnesses and owners of damaged property, looking for possible motives for arson or commonplace practices that may have accidentally started the fire. Investigators also benefit from trial and deposition preparation, as well as courtroom demeanor in the event that they are called to testify.
Extensive training will be required once the investigator is on the job. The technology used in fire-setting is as diverse as the arsonists themselves, ranging from simple accelerants to complex remote ignition devices. The skills of investigators are kept sharp through continuing education seminars and conferences in court preparation, hazardous material (HAZMAT) training, and updated evidence collection. A solid case is built on meticulous evidence collection and strict adherence to chain of custody procedures.
In the private sector, becoming an arson investigator entails working for an attorney, a private forensic consulting firm, or an insurance company. Because many people set fires in order to collect insurance, the role of the arson investigator is critical in preventing false claims. The majority of arson investigators work for fire departments or police departments. Around 80 full-time certified fire investigators are employed the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), whose expertise is called upon in both federal and local fire scenes.
Local and state investigators typically start out as volunteers, then pursue formal training on their own while learning from more experienced personnel. Interested candidates can join professional organizations such as the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI) and the National Association of Fire Investigators in the United States to obtain voluntary certifications (NAFI). Arsonists are resourceful, and trends in any crime evolve over time, providing those interested in pursuing a career as an arson investigator with numerous options.