Your Private Fire Investigation Expert!

Experienced Trusted Professional

Your Private Fire Investigation Expert!

About Us

Our Experience

After 30+ years in the fire service and 20+ years in fire investigations we are ready to sift through the ashes to help find the answers to your questions. Where did the fire start? What caused it and why? Was someone or something responsible for the cause of the fire? Was the vehicle's security system defeated? These are a few of the questions we will try to help answer.

Our Approach

Our Experience

Our service includes a comprehensive examination based on the scientific method. Evidence collection, storage, and analysis if necessary. Quick, turnaround, simple, and easy to understand report identifying the key factors surrounding the origin, cause, and classification of the fire (or theft) loss with the necessary photographs. We remain courtroom ready.

Why Us?

Our Experience

Why Us?

Why pride ourselves with providing high quality, professional, and thorough private investigative service. Key Fire's success is a direct result of the team's hard work, collaboration, up-to-date knowledge and certifications. We are committed to delivering world class service to our customers while striving to earn the respect for ourselves and our company.

Certified Fire & Auto Theft Investigators

Dr. Candace Ashby, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CFII, CVFI, MiFireE

Dr. Candace Ashby is President of Key Fire Investigations and ELITE Public Safety Consulting, Inc. She has over 32 years of fire service experience and is a Battalion Chief for the Indianapolis Fire Department. Candace holds a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership, Master of Science Degree in Management, Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, an Associate in Applied Fire Science Technology. She is a licensed private investigator in Indiana and has testified as an expert witness in criminal and civil proceedings as well as federal court. Her national certifications include: Certified Fire Investigator, Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator, Certified Fire Investigation Instructor, Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, and member of the Institution of Fire Engineers.

Dr. Mark Culver, IAAI-CFI, CFEI, CFII, CFL, CVFI, MiFireE

Dr. Mark D. Culver is Vice President and Chief Forensic Investigator of Key Fire Investigations. He brings over 40 years of fire service experience and is a Battalion Chief with the Indianapolis Fire Department. His background also includes experience and training as a reserve law enforcement officer with the Marion County Sheriff’s Department, forensic examinations, vehicle theft analysis, and traffic accident investigations. Dr. Culver holds a PhD in Public Safety with a concentration in Forensics, Master of Science in Public Safety Leadership, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science Technology. Dr. Culver is one of the leading vehicle fire and theft experts in the nation. He is a licensed private investigator and has qualified as an expert in local, state, and federal courts, involving civil and criminal cases. His national certifications include Certified Fire Investigator, Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator, Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator, Certified Forensic Auto Theft Examiner, Certified Forensic Locksmith, Certified Fire Investigation Instructor, Certified Vehicle Accident Investigator, and a member of the Institution of Fire Engineers.