Arson Unit

All suspicious fires require an investigation, and the Sheriff’s Office has personnel and equipment to assist local fire departments with arson crime scene investigations.

The Unit is comprised of two full-time officers and one part-time officer. The team is also assisted by the State Fire Marshal, and two Marietta Firefighters on an as-needed basis.

Arson can be an illegal attempt to get insurance money, a means of revenge or it can also be an attempt to hide a more serious crime, such as murder.

The officers in the unit learn many different techniques and investigative skills at the Ohio Arson School, held each year in Columbus, which enables them to get to the bottom of these arson cases.

Some of the tools that are used by the arson unit are simple tools like rakes, shovels, cameras, and video cameras. Unit members also use safety equipment such as gloves, helmets, and fireproof jackets which were donated by the Barlow Volunteer Fire Department. The unit also uses more advanced equipment like hydrocarbon detectors.