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Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau

The Fire and Explosion Investigation Bureau is one of eight bureaus within the Division of State Fire Marshal. The Bureau is responsible for investigating the cause and origin, and circumstances of each fire/explosion in Ohio.  Our office is also responsible for the prosecution of persons believed to be guilty of arson or a similar crime.

The Investigation Bureau uses the systematic and scientific approach to fire and explosion investigations. The basis of this can be found in the NFPA 921 – Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigation (http://www.nafi921.com/).

The Investigation Bureau also maintains records of suspicious burn injuries, property insurance loss records, dangerous ordinance permits, and scene photographic documentation.

Our investigators, supervisors and highly skilled support staff, are involved with the education and training of fire service, law enforcement and insurance industry personnel. Our personnel are actively involved in eight major fire investigation seminars and schools throughout the State of Ohio held annually. The Investigation Bureau holds two arson seminars per year for prosecutors and judges throughout the State. These seminars are crucial in the successful prosecution of arson.

Our Fire and Explosion Investigations Bureau also includes an Arson Detection Canine unit.  Our dogs have the ability to locate traces of hydrocarbons in fire debris. Two of our Investigators are also skilled Polygraph Examiners, and three are skilled in explosive/chemical disposal.

The Fire & Explosion Investigation Bureau is comprised of four regional Assistant Chiefs who supervise 18 Fire and Explosion Investigators.  The Assistant Chiefs are Ken Crawford, Keith Loreno, Michael McCarroll and Robert Sharp.  All are sworn law enforcement officers and their jurisdiction includes all the 88 counties of Ohio. This area covers approximately 41,000 square miles.