Richard B. "Rick" Casto was born and raised in the State of West Virginia. After attending West Virginia State College he completed Police Academy training in St. Augustine, Florida. He distinguished himself as a Police Officer in the State of Florida and received two Community Service Awards. Ricks training in Florida also included community crime prevention, where he obtained his specialized training in locks and alarm systems.
After six years of service with the Florida Police Department, Rick returned to West Virginia as a Detective with the Putnam County Sheriffs Department. He organized and commanded the Scuba Rescue Team and the Special Weapons and Assault Team. Rick responded for all eight volunteer fire departments in Putnam County as a member of the Arson Task Force to establish origin and cause of fires.
Since 1985 Mr. Casto has worked as a private expert in fire investigation. He has received specialized training from the National Fire Academy, National Law Enforcement Academy, International Association of Arson Investigators and the Hughes Institute, to name a few. Mr. Casto has trained extensively and is recognized internationally for his fraud fighting efforts. Rick has investigated more than 4,000 fires, establishing origin and cause at the national level. He has testified as an expert numerous times in Federal and State courts. He has been accepted as an expert in the origin and cause of fires and security as it pertains to locks and alarms. He, also, is a Certified Fire Investigator by the International Association of Arson Investigators.
Mr. Casto has lectured extensively throughout West Virginia, Ohio and Hawaii. Casto Investigations has evolved into a leading, cutting-edge company, operating in the Appalachian region.
Mr. Casto is active in the State Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. He has held every office, including the Presidency, on two occasions. He is also active in the International Association of Arson Investigators. Mr. Casto has coordinated seminars throughout the eastern United States and Canada. Casto Investigations is currently licensed in the State of West Virginia, Ohio and Virginia as a private detective firm. Casto Investigations is fully licensed, bonded and insured for your investigative needs.
Raymond "Ray" Griffith Jr. is a 29-year veteran of the Charleston Fire Department and was responsible for the Arson Division of the City of Charleston, West Virginia
Ray has received specialized training from the National Fire Academy, Federal Bureau of Investigation Academy, Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy, International Association of Arson Investigators, just to name a few. He is a member of the International Association of Firefighters, Charleston Claims Association, International Associations of Arson Investigators, WV Chapter IAAI, and NFPA Journeyman Firefighter.
Ray is highly active in the West Virginia Chapter IAAI, and is a member of the Past President Council. He has held various offices in the West Virginia Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators, including President 1995-1996. He was the Member of the Year in 1997.
Ray is a Certified Fire Investigator by the International Association of Arson Investigators and the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualification.
He is a Certified Fire Investigator that has conducted over 3,000 fires, including commercial, residential and vehicular fire losses. Experienced in the investigative process, and with the Insurance industries responsibilities and duties in the handling of fire loss claims. He has qualified as an expert witness in the 13th Judicial District and has testified in both criminal and civil cases, also at both the federal and circuit court levels.
As an investigator with Casto Investigations, Inc. he performs origin and cause investigations. Primary duties include: Origin and Cause investigations of fires and explosions, fire scene documentation, and the collection and preservation of physical evidence. The documentation of fire scene investigations includes: floor plan schematics, photographs, written reports and the preparation of photographs and diagrams for court room exhibits.