                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT TO EXAMINE INTO ORIGIN OF FIRES; APPOINTMENT OF ARSON INVESTIGATORS
(§ 27-56)

The Department shall examine, or cause examination to be made, into the origin
and circumstances of all fires occurring in this Commonwealth, which may be
brought to its attention by official report, or otherwise, and for that purpose
shall have authority to call for and demand of the chief or other head officer
of the fire department, and the chief or other head officer of the police
department, of any city or town, and the sheriff of any county, for any
information or assistance it may require in making or furthering such
examination.
		The Department shall appoint a chief arson investigator and assistant arson
investigators, who shall have the same police powers as a sheriff in the
investigation and prosecution of all offenses involving fires, fire bombings,
bombings, attempts, threats to commit such offense, false alarms relating to any
such offense, possession and manufacture of explosive devices, substances and
firebombs.

HISTORY: Code 1919, § 4186; 1977, c. 613.