With nearly 900 fires investigated annually, the staff, which includes the chief investigator, two field supervisors and eight field investigators, carries a heavy caseload. Each field investigator, most of whom come from fire service backgrounds, covers anywhere from 9-13 counties. There were also 165 special investigations, most of which involved explosions and fireworks violations. In that same year, OSFM's fire investigators were involved in the investigation of fatal fires that killed 73 Hoosiers. One hundred eighty-four fire injuries were reported within the state that year.
Accidental causes can be many.
Set fires are usually started through the use of gasoline or kerosene, readily available combustibles. While an average profile of an arsonist is difficult to determine, many in the past have been juvenile firesetters. An arsonist, says Tom Hinkle, OSFM's chief investigator and a division investigator for 12 years, can be most anyone. Hinkle says the hardest part of arson cases is not discovering the cause of the fire but proving the criminal intent of the suspect. The cause of a fire can typically be found within a few days, but the underlying determination of whether it was a set fire or accidental can take some time.