Family owned and operated since 1999

Shand Forensic Investigations, Inc.

When it comes to choosing a fire investigation company, making the right choice is essential. Shand Forensic Investigations, Inc., employs a team of professionals who adhere to NFPA 1033 standards and abide by the guidelines set forth within NFPA 921. Our team applies a consistent and systematic approach in determining the origin and cause of each fire.

80+

Years Combined Experience

Each investigation is a priority, from small personal property losses to large industrial and commercial losses.

1000+

Investigations Performed

Each scene is thoroughly documented and digitally photographed with the possibility of litigation always in mind.

Apartment after fire in winter, photo by Shand Forensic Investigations
Bones of a burned out building
established in 1999 by Steve Shand

Family owned and operated for over 20 years.

Since its inception, SFI has continued to grow to better serve the needs of our clients.  With offices in Spencerville (near Ft. Wayne) and Indianapolis, Indiana, Shand Forensic Investigations is well situated to cost effectively serve clients in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. SFI is licensed to conduct origin and cause investigations in all three states.

Each of SFI’s fire investigators hold the distinction of Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), and all our staff have completed Fire Investigator I training through the state of Indiana.

established in 1999 by Steve Shand

Family owned and operated for over 20 years.

Since its inception, SFI has continued to grow to better serve the needs of our clients.  With offices in Spencerville (near Ft. Wayne) and Indianapolis, Indiana, Shand Forensic Investigations is well situated to cost effectively serve clients in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan. SFI is licensed to conduct origin and cause investigations in all three states.

Each of SFI’s fire investigators hold the distinction of Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), through the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI), and all our staff have completed Fire Investigator I training through the state of Indiana.

The Shand Forensic Story

Steve Shand began his life-long passion in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter in 1981 and started his professional career as an electrician.  In 1989 he combined his firefighting skills with his electrical knowledge to conduct fire origin and cause investigations thus building the foundation of Shand Forensic Investigations, Inc. His work in the private sector included extensive litigation and trial experience.

The first addition to SFI’s investigative staff came in 2001, when Skip Shand joined the company. In 2005, in order to better serve our central and southern Indiana clients, David Kloss joined the team and the Indianapolis office opened.

Shand Forensic Spencerville, Indiana facility and the mobile response unit.

An overhead shot of the Shand Forensic Investigations facility

The Shand Forensic Story

Steve Shand began his life-long passion in the fire service as a volunteer firefighter in 1981 and started his professional career as an electrician.  In 1989 he combined his firefighting skills with his electrical knowledge to conduct fire origin and cause investigations thus building the foundation of Shand Forensic Investigations, Inc. His work in the private sector included extensive litigation and trial experience.

The first addition to SFI’s investigative staff came in 2001, when Skip Shand joined the company. In 2005, in order to better serve our central and southern Indiana clients, David Kloss joined the team and the Indianapolis office opened.

Investigative and Forensic Services

House fire at nightFire Origin and Cause

When it comes to choosing a fire investigation company, making the right choice is essential.  Shand Forensic Investigations, Inc., employs a team of professionals who adhere to NFPA 1033 standards and abide by the guidelines set forth within NFPA 921, by applying a consistent and systematic approach in determining the origin and cause of each fire.

Our highly skilled investigators have over 80 years of combined experience and have each investigated hundreds, if not thousands, of fires from small personal property losses, to large industrial and commercial losses. Each scene is thoroughly documented and digitally photographed with the possibility of litigation always in mind.

Explosion Investigations

An explosion scene requires specific knowledge and many times necessitates additional resources for processing the loss.  Explosion investigators at SFI have extensive experience handling explosion losses augmented with advanced knowledge of gas-fueled systems and appliances.

From the excavation of a large debris field to the challenges of sorting and collecting significant evidence for further analysis and testing in our evidence processing facility, SFI has the know-how and resources to adequately and systematically process each and every scene.

Vehicle Fires

Motor vehicle fires pose a very specific challenge to fire and explosion investigators because of ever-evolving sources of ignition and large quantities of normally present fuel loads. All Shand fire investigators are Certified Vehicle Fire Investigators with experience conducting origin and cause investigations involving automobiles, motorcycles, buses, recreation vehicles, and heavy equipment.

Shand Forensic Investigations also offers a secured, climate-controlled storage facility, where even large vehicles can be stored, and examinations can be conducted out of the elements.

Evidence Collection

The preservation of evidence related to the origin and cause of fires and explosions, begins during fire extinguishment and does not end until the case is settled or closed. We at Shand Forensic Investigations understand the importance of evidence collection and preservation. Our business is housed in a 6,000 square foot facility with approximately 4,000 square feet devoted to evidence storage and examination areas.

Our experience with large scale fire loss investigations makes us well equipped to handle your case, whether it be large or small. Our experts will coordinate and work with other interested parties to ensure the fire scene and evidence are properly and carefully processed, documented, and preserved until further testing is deemed necessary.

Product Failure Analysis

Shand Forensic Investigations is equipped to handle all types of product failure review and evaluation in order to determine the  association to the cause of fires.  Whether we collect the evidence on-site or you have it shipped to our facility, analysis and testing is completed at our well-appointed in-house laboratory. Examinations of gas and electrical appliances, automobiles, and all types of electrical components are conducted.

If a particular product or appliance is suspected of causing a fire or water loss, potential third-party interest is identified prior to any destructive testing.  Thorough analysis and testing by a qualified engineer is then conducted.  Recall information and research is also completed through national databases to determine if prior-documented problems exist.

Subrogation and Litigation

The experts at Shand Forensic Investigations have the specialized knowledge and training it takes to assist clients in the pursuit, or the defense, of liability claims. Over the years, our work has benefited our clients through the recovery of many thousands, if not millions of dollars. All of our fire investigators have courtroom experience, and each fire is investigated keeping the possibility of litigation in mind. By documenting our unbiased expert opinions, recording the details surrounding each case concisely and thoroughly, our investigations can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case.

Investigative and Forensic Services

When it comes to choosing a fire investigation company, making the right choice is essential.  Shand Forensic Investigations, Inc., employs a team of professionals who adhere to NFPA 1033 standards and abide by the guidelines set forth within NFPA 921, by applying a consistent and systematic approach in determining the origin and cause of each fire.

Our highly skilled investigators have over 80 years of combined experience and have each investigated hundreds, if not thousands, of fires from small personal property losses, to large industrial and commercial losses.  Each scene is thoroughly documented and digitally photographed with the possibility of litigation always in mind.


An explosion scene requires specific knowledge and many times necessitates additional resources for processing the loss.  Explosion investigators at SFI have extensive experience handling explosion losses augmented with advanced knowledge of gas-fueled systems and appliances.

From the excavation of a large debris field to the challenges of sorting and collecting significant evidence for further analysis and testing in our evidence processing facility, SFI has the know-how and resources to adequately and systematically process each and every scene.

Motor vehicle fires pose a very specific challenge to fire and explosion investigators because of ever-evolving sources of ignition and large quantities of normally present fuel loads.  Shand fire investigators are all Certified Vehicle Fire Investigators with experience conducting origin and cause investigations involving automobiles, motorcycles, buses, recreation vehicles, and heavy equipment.

Shand Forensic Investigations also offers a secured, climate-controlled storage facility, where even large vehicles can be stored, and examinations can be conducted out of the elements.

The preservation of evidence related to the origin and cause of fires and explosions, begins during fire extinguishment and does not end until the case is settled or closed.  We at Shand Forensic Investigations understand the importance of evidence collection and preservation.  Our business is housed in a 6,000 square foot facility with approximately 4,000 square feet devoted to evidence storage and examination areas.

Our experience with large scale fire loss investigations makes us well equipped to handle your case, whether it be large or small.  Our experts will coordinate and work with other interested parties to ensure the fire scene and evidence are properly and carefully processed, documented, and preserved until further testing is deemed necessary.

Shand Forensic Investigations is equipped to handle all types of product failure review and evaluation in order to determine the  association to the cause of fires.  Whether we collect the evidence on-site or you have it shipped to our facility, analysis and testing is completed at our well-appointed in-house laboratory.  Examinations of gas and electrical appliances, automobiles, and all types of electrical components are conducted.

If a particular product or appliance is suspected of causing a fire or water loss, potential third-party interest is identified prior to any destructive testing.  Thorough analysis and testing by a qualified engineer is then conducted.  Recall information and research is also completed through national databases to determine if prior-documented problems exist.

The experts at Shand Forensic Investigations have the specialized knowledge and training it takes to assist clients in the pursuit, or the defense, of liability claims. Over the years, our work has benefited our clients through the recovery of many thousands, if not millions of dollars.  All of our fire investigators have courtroom experience, and each fire is investigated keeping the possibility of litigation in mind.  By documenting our unbiased expert opinions, recording the details surrounding each case concisely and thoroughly, our investigations can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case.

The Shand Forensic Investigations Staff

Steve Shand

CFI, CFEI, CVFI, ECT

President and Owner, Fire Investigator

Founder and President of Shand Forensic Investigations, Inc., Steve Shand is a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and Evidence Collection Technician (ECT).  Steve has been investigating fires since 1985 and was one of the founders of the Fire Investigation Team of Kosciusko County.  He has extensive expert witness experience and has qualified as an expert in local, state, and federal courts, involving both civil and criminal cases. 

Skip Shand

CFI, CFEI, CVFI, ECT

General Manager, Fire Investigator

Skip Shand is a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and Evidence Collection Technician (ECT). Skip is the General Manager of Shand Forensic Investigations.  He has been a firefighter since 1997, investigating fires since 2001, and is currently a member of the Woodburn Fire Department. 

David Kloss

CFI, CI, CFEI, CVFI

Fire Investigator

David Kloss is a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI),  Certified Instructor (IAAI-CI), Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI).  He has been active in the fire investigation community since 1989 and joined Shand Forensic Investigations in 2005, operating our southern regional office out of Indianapolis.  David is a career firefighter currently holding the rank of Captain.

John Gunder

CFI, FIT

Fire Investigator

John Gunder is a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), and a Fire Investigation Technician (FIT).  He has been a firefighter since 1997 and is currently a career firefighter with the New Haven Adams Township Fire Department.  He has been investigating fires since 2016 and joined Shand Forensic Investigations in 2020. 

Wanda Shand

INVESTIGATOR 1, ECT

Secretary, Co-Owner, Evidence Technician

IAAI Certified Evidence Collection Technician

Wanda Shand, co-owner of Shand Forensic Investigations, handles the corporation affairs and oversees the day-to-day operations of the business.  She is certified as a Fire Investigator I and an Evidence Collection Technician (ECT) and assists on large scene losses with the evidence.

Shelley Swymeler

INVESTIGATOR 1

Administrative Assistant

Shelley Swymeler has worked at Shand Forensic Investigations since 2005.  She works in the office managing accounts payable and receivable and handles the company payroll.  Shelley is certified as an Investigator I and assists in finalizing reports as well as providing various clerical support.

Steve Shand

CFI, CFEI, CVFI, ECT

President and Owner, Fire Investigator

Founder and President of Shand Forensic Investigations, Inc., Steve Shand is a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and Evidence Collection Technician (ECT).  Steve has been investigating fires since 1985 and was one of the founders of the Fire Investigation Team of Kosciusko County.  He has extensive expert witness experience and has qualified as an expert in local, state, and federal courts, involving both civil and criminal cases. 

Skip Shand

CFI, CFEI, CVFI, ECT

General Manager, Fire Investigator

Skip Shand is a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI), Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI), and Evidence Collection Technician (ECT). Skip is the General Manager of Shand Forensic Investigations.  He has been a firefighter since 1997, investigating fires since 2001, and is currently a member of the Woodburn Fire Department. 

David Kloss

CFI, CI, CFEI, CVFI

Fire Investigator

David Kloss is a Certified Fire Investigator (CFI),  Certified Instructor (IAAI-CI), Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), and Certified Vehicle Fire Investigator (CVFI).  He has been active in the fire investigation community since 1989 and joined Shand Forensic Investigations in 2005, operating our southern regional office out of Indianapolis.  David is a career firefighter currently holding the rank of Captain.

John Gunder

CFI, FIT

Fire Investigator

John Gunder is a Certified Fire & Explosion Investigator (CFEI), and a Fire Investigation Technician (FIT).  He has been a firefighter since 1997 and is currently a career firefighter with the New Haven Adams Township Fire Department.  He has been investigating fires since 2016 and joined Shand Forensic Investigations in 2020. 

Wanda
Shand

INVESTIGATOR 1, ECT

Secretary, Co-Owner,
Evidence Technician

IAAI Certified Evidence Collection Technician

Wanda Shand, co-owner of Shand Forensic Investigations, handles the corporation affairs and oversees the day-to-day operations of the business.  She is certified as a Fire Investigator I and an Evidence Collection Technician (ECT) and assists on large scene losses with the evidence.

Shelley Swymeler

INVESTIGATOR 1

Administrative
Assistant

Shelley Swymeler has worked at Shand Forensic Investigations since 2005.  She works in the office managing accounts payable and receivable and handles the company payroll.  Shelley is certified as an Investigator I and assists in finalizing reports as well as providing various clerical support.

Unlike many of our competitors, we are a small business, and we know first-hand how important it is to go the extra mile.

Thank you for considering engaging Shand Forensic Investigations to be your fire investigation and training experts.

You can count on us to provide the personal and professional service that you deserve.

FIRE INVESTIGATION AND FORENSIC

Classroom Training

In today’s world it is imperative that the fire and arson investigation training opportunities you offer your staff and volunteers be provided by highly trained and well educated professionals who abide by NFPA 921, and who are aware of spoliation issues.  The trainers from Shand Forensic Investigations are constantly attending various classes in a wide range of disciplines related to fire investigations every year. Our professionals stay up to date on all areas pertaining to our field of expertise. Our most popular classes include:

  • Electrical Fire Investigation
  • Expert Witness Courtroom Testimony
  • Fire Investigator I
  • Investigation Awareness for First Responders

Education and training are of the utmost importance to us.  Our experts have broad educational backgrounds which include a wide range of teaching experience in a variety of subject areas. Contact us for information on the classes and training courses we offer.

Steve Shand demonstrating electrical service during fire investigation training.
Classes can be tailored to fit your specific needs. CEU credits offered.
Fire Investigation image (outline of a magnifying glass created in sparks)

Contact Shand Forensic

18322 State Road 101

P.O. Box 69

Spencerville, IN 46788

Office:  260-238-5800

Fax:       260-238-5829

To email Shand Forensic Investigations please use the form below.

    Contact Shand Forensic

    18322 State Road 101

    P.O. Box 69

    Spencerville, IN 46788

    Office:  260-238-5800

    Fax:       260-238-5829

    To email Shand Forensic Investigations please use the form below.

      Fire Investigation image (outline of a magnifying glass created in sparks)