Arson & Investigation Division

Definition:

The crime of purposely setting fire to a structure.

Indiana Arson Law:

• A person who, by means of fire or explosive, knowingly or intentionally damages:
• A dwelling of another person without his/her consent
• Property of any person under circumstances that endanger human life
• Property of another person without his/her consent if the pecuniary loss is at least five thousand dollars; commits arson, a class B felony.

The Investigation Division shall investigate fires, assist the Haz-Mat team in the investigation of environmental crimes and other fire department-related incidents to determine origin, cause and circumstance, which involve loss of life, serious injury or damage to property or the environment.

The Investigation Division shall also conduct any other investigations as related to fire department if so directed by the Chief or his designates.

Each investigator is a graduate of the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy and as such has full law enforcement powers.

Goals

• To determined the origin and cause of fires in a systematic and analytical manner
• To bring to justice the criminally motivated fire-setter
• Objectives
• Two investigators per shift for investigation safety and to expedite investigations
• Updating and replacing vehicles
• Accelerant Canine Program for division
• Maintain established communications with other agencies - police, prosecutor's office, sheriff's department, coroner's office, insurance agencies, etc. (Arson Task Force Team)
• To develop a continuing education program for current and back-up investigators
• To develop a training program for candidates interested in investigations
• To develop an outreach program to address the juvenile fire-setting problem using available social and mental resource agencies from the private and public sectors
   

What do the Investigators look for at a fire scene?

Fireground investigators and arson investigators differ in several ways. First, their goals are different. The objectives of the fire investigator are only to determine the fire's point of origin and heat source, the reason the fire started, and, the category of the fire. The goal of an arson investigator is to investigate the crime of arson and bring the criminal to justice.

Participants In Juvenile Firesetters

• Fort Wayne Fire Department
• Fort Wayne Police Department
• Allen County Department of Child Services
• Allen County Juvenile Probation
• Bowen Center
• Catholic Charities
• Crossroad
• Great Kids Make Great Communities
• Indiana Department of Correction
• New Haven Fire Department
• Northeast Indiana Burn Council
• SCAN, Inc.
• St. Joseph Regional Burn Center

Goals of the Task Team

The Task Force Team allows agencies to work together since arson is a Public Safety problem, not just a problem for the fire department.

Things always improve when people work together. Cooperation is essential for success as an arson prevention and control unit.

Fire, police and court systems are here for one reason - to protect the citizens of Fort Wayne-Allen County under the law.