The Science Behind Fire Investigation:
When a fire occurs, the damage can make it difficult to understand exactly what happened. Buildings may be heavily damaged, important evidence may be destroyed, and the scene can look very different from how it did when the fire began.
That is where a qualified fire investigator comes in.
At Jack Ward Fire Consultants, our investigators approach each fire scene as a scientific investigation. Rather than relying on assumptions or simply looking for the most obvious source of damage, investigators systematically examine the available evidence, develop and test hypotheses, and work to determine what the evidence can—and cannot—support.
Using the Scientific Method in Fire Investigation
Fire investigation is more than examining a burned structure. It involves applying scientific principles to physical evidence and observations from the scene.
Our investigators use a systematic process that includes:
1. Collecting information
The investigation begins before conclusions are drawn. Investigators gather information about the incident, including:
-Statements from occupants and witnesses
-Photographs and video
-Building construction and layout
-Electrical and mechanical systems
-Appliances, equipment, and other potential ignition sources
-Fire patterns and areas of damage
-Circumstances surrounding the fire
This information provides the foundation for the investigation.
2. Examining the scene
Investigators methodically document and examine the fire scene. They evaluate patterns of damage, protected areas, fuel packages, potential ignition sources, electrical components, appliances, and other physical evidence.
The goal isn’t simply to find something that could have started the fire. The investigator must determine whether the available evidence supports that possibility.
3. Developing hypotheses
Based on the information and physical evidence, investigators develop potential explanations for how the fire started.
For example, investigators may consider whether the fire could have originated from:
-An electrical failure
-Cooking equipment
-Heating equipment
-A mechanical component
-An appliance
-An open flame
-Another ignition source
-An intentionally set fire
Multiple hypotheses may need to be considered before one can be supported or eliminated.
4. Testing those hypotheses
This is a critical part of the scientific approach.
Investigators compare each hypothesis against the physical evidence and known facts. If the evidence contradicts a potential explanation, that hypothesis may be eliminated. If evidence supports a hypothesis, investigators continue examining whether it is consistent with the totality of the available information.
This process helps prevent an investigator from reaching a conclusion simply because one explanation initially appears obvious.
5. Reaching a conclusion supported by the evidence
Ultimately, a fire investigator’s conclusion should be based on the evidence developed during the investigation.
Sometimes the evidence supports a specific origin and cause. In other cases, the available evidence may not allow an investigator to reach a definitive conclusion.
Recognizing the limits of the evidence is an important part of a scientific investigation.
