Fires can have many origins, some are accidental, some are negligent, and some are deliberate.  The fire investigator may be asked many questions, including determining the seat of the fire, and the causes of the fire, but often the burning question is simply to determine the cause, whether it's accidental, negligent, or deliberate. 

 

Arson accounts for about 50% of the UK's larger fires, and about 30% of the national cost.  Deliberate fires can reveal information not present at accidental sites, such as the presence of accelerants, uneven or unusual burn patterns, several seats of the fire, forced entry  etc. 

 

Fires may be flaming or smouldering, and each will have its own characteristic pattern, both in relation to the building or vehicle that may have been burned, or in relation to the effects on any persons who may have been within the building or vehicle at the time of the fire.  Quite often, the pathologist will provide information that is of use to the fire investigator.

 

At Forensic Engineering Solutions we can provide assistance in relation to some of the issues surrounding fire investigation.

 

To date we have advised on house fires and incidents of arson.  We have been able to show the progression of the fire, and have been able to reconstruct incendiaries so as to calculate the effective fuse time.

 

In relation to arson, there are often other factors beside the scene, such as numerous false call-outs (to determine the rate of response by the fire service) or perhaps frequent re-sales of a property between associates in order to increase the apparent market value.  These incidents are of interest to the fire investigator as they may support his opinions from an examination of the scene.