Fire Investigators
Career Snapshot
'The cause of the fire is being investigated.' By the time you hear that line in a news story about a fire, a special type of detective has already been hard at work trying to solve the mystery. A fire investigator sees clues where we see scorched rubble.
This investigator is frequently on the scene before the smoke clears, collecting and documenting evidence to identify the cause of the incident. This may entail meticulously sorting through detritus and subjecting it to laboratory examinations. It may also imply questioning witnesses and firefighters.
The final report of the investigator may tell the narrative of a preventable accident - or an intentional crime. It can result in arrests and be used in court. And the report can provide us with useful information for averting future fires.
A state certification in 'Cause and Origin' fire investigation is normally required, as well as years of experience and training in the firefighting sector. A fire investigator's understanding of building construction, chemistry, and even physics can be useful, but the most important prerequisite is a desire to solve puzzles and save lives.
Characteristics
Activities
Areas of Study
Degrees
Key Abilities
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Deductive Reasoning
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Flexibility of Closure
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Inductive Reasoning
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Near Vision
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Oral Comprehension
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Oral Expression
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Problem Sensitivity
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Speech Clarity
Colleges
Top Skills