| Many fire and arson investigators have law | | | | departments require some units in college |
| enforcement and crime scene investigation | | | | education or associate's degree. |
| experience. However, they begin specializing in | | | | Many arson investigators choose to volunteer in |
| arson investigation after taking courses in this | | | | the local fire department while earning a degree, |
| area. One of the requirements to become an | | | | attend arson and fire investigation related |
| arson investigator is to earn a criminal justice | | | | conferences, pursue certificates or professional |
| degree. This will help anyone who wants to | | | | educational courses in arson investigation, and join |
| venture into this career to acquire some of the | | | | as many professional associations and |
| necessary knowledge and skills to become | | | | organizations as possible. Some examples of |
| successful. Others attend schools or academies | | | | professional associations and organizations are |
| that offer program in fire investigation. | | | | International Association of Arson Investigators |
| Job Description | | | | (IAAI) and the National Association of Fire |
| Arson investigators are responsible for acquiring | | | | Investigators (NAFI). Courses and/or certificates |
| evidence leading to who started the fire as well | | | | important to pursuing a career in arson |
| as to the arrest and prosecution of the said | | | | investigation include topics like incendiary fire, fire |
| suspect. They also serve as expert witnesses | | | | dynamics, fire and insurance investigation, motor |
| who testify in court regarding the different | | | | vehicle fire investigation and other related topics. |
| techniques used to come up with the evidence | | | | Arson Investigator Salaries |
| against the accused. They may also work in both | | | | Salaries are commensurate with experience. |
| public and private sectors. | | | | Those arson investigators working in private |
| Educational Requirements | | | | sectors earn more compared to those working in |
| An arson investigator career requires you to earn | | | | public sectors. Accordingly, the national average |
| a bachelor's or associates' degree in criminal | | | | salary for an arson investigator is $68,000. Those |
| justice, science, engineering or chemistry. A | | | | who chose to work in private sectors for |
| degree in engineering and criminal justice will give | | | | investigative or insurance firms can significantly |
| you the most relevant education for a career in | | | | make more, especially those with experience. |
| arson investigation. Most fire and police | | | | |