Career Profile: Arson Investigator	Home	Español
		Informal perspective of what an occupation might be like.

What I Do: Imagine looking at the blackened remains of a burned-out building and figuring out whether the fire was started on purpose. That’s basically what I do as an arson investigator. I analyze the burn patterns of a fire, I collect evidence and take pictures, and I determine the cause of the fire. If the fire has been set maliciously instead of accidentally, I interview suspects. I frequently testify in court as an expert witness when someone is charged with committing arson.  

Best and Hardest Parts of My Job: I like solving puzzles, and that’s what arson investigators do. We piece together the evidence to determine what happened and whether the fire resulted from arson. I also like catching the bad guys and protecting the public from people who set fires on purpose. Of course, a fire can occur at any time, and I get called out in the middle of the night to the scene of a fire. Investigations are difficult and time-consuming, and perseverance is required. But I get a lot of satisfaction in helping to make my community safer.

How I Got Started: I began my career as a police officer, later becoming a detective. Once I decided to specialize in arson investigation, I attended special classes offered by the National Fire Academy, the FBI, and the International Association of Arson Investigators. I learned how to analyze burn patterns, how to investigate a fire scene, how to determine the origin of a fire, and how to catch arsonists. I continue to expand my knowledge and skills through ongoing training.