In Massachusetts fires are investigated by a combination of firefighters and police officers. The fire chief is required by statute to investigate every fire in their jurisdiction. Chiefs may turn to the State Fire Marshal’s office for help depending on circumstances. Fire investigators assigned to the Massachusetts State Fire Marshal’s Office are members of the Massachusetts State Police.
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NFPA fire investigation standards help to identify JPRs and fire causes

In the mid-1970s, salty old fire investigators would work their way through the smoky ruins of buildings, armed only with knowledge gleaned from mentors or picked up along the way from others charged with figuring out fire puzzles. Back then…