# Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 3: Investigations by marshal; examination of witnesses; perjury; criminal complaint; prosecutions; reports to commissioner of insurance > Massachusetts · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S3 ## Section - **Citation:** Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 3 - **Heading:** Investigations by marshal; examination of witnesses; perjury; criminal complaint; prosecutions; reports to commissioner of insurance - **Jurisdiction:** Massachusetts - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** MA Code / Part I / Title XX / Chapter 148 / Section 3 ## Text Section 3. The marshal shall investigate or cause to be investigated the circumstances of all fires or explosions of suspicious origin of which he has notice, and may investigate or cause to be investigated the circumstances of any fire or explosion occurring anywhere within the commonwealth. For such purposes the marshal, or his designee, may summon and examine on oath, administered by the marshal or such person so designated, any person supposed to know or have means of knowing any material facts touching the subject of investigation. Such witnesses may be kept apart and examined separately, and such examination shall be reduced to writing, and false testimony therein shall be perjury. Any justice of a district court or of the superior court, upon application of the marshal, or person so designated, may compel the attendance of such witnesses and the giving of such testimony in the same manner and to the same extent as before said court. If, upon such investigation, the marshal, or person so designated, believes that the evidence is sufficient to charge any person with crime, he shall make a complaint therefor, and shall furnish the proper officers with the evidence and names of witnesses obtained by him. The marshall shall, when required, report to the commissioner of insurance his proceedings and the progress of prosecutions instituted hereunder. Section 3. The marshal shall investigate or cause to be investigated the circumstances of all fires or explosions of suspicious origin of which he has notice, and may investigate or cause to be investigated the circumstances of any fire or explosion occurring anywhere within the commonwealth. For such purposes the marshal, or his designee, may summon and examine on oath, administered by the marshal or such person so designated, any person supposed to know or have means of knowing any material facts touching the subject of investigation. Such witnesses may be kept apart and examined separately, and such examination shall be reduced to writing, and false testimony therein shall be perjury. Any justice of a district court or of the superior court, upon application of the marshal, or person so designated, may compel the attendance of such witnesses and the giving of such testimony in the same manner and to the same extent as before said court. If, upon such investigation, the marshal, or person so designated, believes that the evidence is sufficient to charge any person with crime, he shall make a complaint therefor, and shall furnish the proper officers with the evidence and names of witnesses obtained by him. The marshall shall, when required, report to the commissioner of insurance his proceedings and the progress of prosecutions instituted hereunder. ## Nearby sections - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 1 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S1.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2 Investigations of fires or explosions by local officials; notice to marshal of suspicious origins or undetermined causes; reports; records](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 2A Notice of unauthorized ignition of fire within public or private schools or on school grounds; submission of report by school principal](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S2A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 3 Investigations by marshal; examination of witnesses; perjury; criminal complaint; prosecutions; reports to commissioner of insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S3.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 4 Persons authorized to enter and inspect premises; inspections of institutions; reports](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S4.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 5 Investigation of premises and alleys as to fire hazards; remedy of conditions; expenses; penalty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S5.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 5A Unvented liquid fired space heaters; use or sale prohibited](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S5A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 6 Neglect or refusal of officers to comply with duty](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S6.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 7 Reports of marshal and commissioner of insurance](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S7.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 8 Reports to heads of fire departments, insurance companies, property owners and other interested persons](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S8.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 9 Regulations relating to explosives and inflammable materials; reports of quantities and locations; ordinances and by-laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S9.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 9A Model rocket engines; storage; manufacture; use; sale](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S9A.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 10 Regulations relative to fire prevention](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S10.md) - [Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 148, sec. 10A Heads of fire departments; permits; inspections; records; fees; list of fire department heads](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S10A.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MA_PI_TXX_C148_S3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.