REPORTING SCRIPT

Topic: FIRE PATTERN ANALYSIS

Legend: In PowerPoint Text in Cursive: Explanation

What is Fire Pattern Analysis?

Fire pattern analysis is the systemic approach to determining the cause and
origin of fire. The methodology allows fire investigators to trace the path of fire by tracing
its patterns, which can be an exceedingly critical task.
The proper analysis of fire patterns which dependent upon the dynamics of fire
development is called Dynamics of Pattern Production.

In simple terms, fire pattern analysis is utilized in fire and arson investigations.
For example, after a fire event, the investigators will conduct an analysis to find out
what the cause of the fire was. The purpose of the fire pattern analysis is to identify
the cause and avoid jumping to conclusions. We cannot just assume that a fire is an
accident without the fire pattern analysis, and we cannot also blame someone that
he or she caused the fire without the proper investigation.

When will the fire pattern analysis be done?

 Once the Fire Ground Commander declare the fire scene is fire out.

So basically, if there is a fire, the fire fighters will do the firefighting operation.
Once the fire ground commander declares the fire scene is out already, the
investigation will follow. The fire commander will not conduct the investigation during
the fire, but he will ensure that before the investigation is done, there are no signs of
danger. That investigation, carried out by the assigned fire personnel, is guided by
the fire pattern analysis.
 Fire Investigation
Fire Investigator Trace and Locate the Fire Pattern

Objectives of Fire 1. To trace the fire spread.

Scene 2. To identify areas and the points of
Investigation origin.
3. Identify fuels or the combustible
involve.

During the fire investigation, the one who will conduct is the fire investigator of
the team. One of the things that the fire investigator will do is trace or locate the fire
pattern.
The reason for conducting the fire scene examination is to determine and
analyze the fire patterns in an attempt to trace the fire's spread, so the investigator
will look for the areas where the fire spread and where the fire started. With this, the
investigator will identify the areas and the points of origin of the fire. The analysis will
also include the fuels involved in the fire incident that triggered it.

Types of Fire Patterns

 Fire Patterns Movements
 Intensity Patterns

There are two primary types of fire patterns and these are fire patterns
movements and intensity patterns.
 Primary Type of Fire Pattern: Movement Patterns

1. Movement Patterns

Movement patterns are those which are the result of growth and extension
of fire and products of combustion away from the original heat source. Proper
inspection of the fire scene will result in tracing these patterns back to the original
heat source.

One of the things that the fire arson investigator needs to establish is the
location of the burned pattern, also called fingerprint of fire.  By doing this, the
investigator will closely observe the movement of the flame and the heat that it may
produce. This is one of the general types of fire patterns; movement patterns are the
analysis of how the fire moves. The movement patterns are the result of the growth
and progress of the fire source.

Primary Type of Fire Pattern: Intensity Patterns

2. Intensity Patterns

Intensity patterns are produced by the effects of the various intensities of

heat exposure to the structure and its contents. The varying heat levels can
produce lines of demarcation which can be used to determine the characteristics
and quantities of fuel loading, as well as to indicate the direction of fire spread.

The intensity pattern is a product of the response of materials involved in a

fire, which are affected by various intensities of heat exposure. This may help the fire
investigators determine the characteristics and quantities of fuel materials as well as
the direction of the spread.

Intensity Patterns

 Surface Effect Char is the term used for every fire incidence because there will
always be traces to be observed, and these traces will be useful for fire arson
investigation.
 Wood char is a term in every fire incident, especially if the wood is not totally
burned.
 Depth of char is a term used in every fire incidence when the fire investigator
tries to determine the fire pattern through the depth of char.
 The surface effect of char means that there are available points of patterns
and traces that will help the fire investigator analyze the fire's incidence. This helps
the investigator establish the possible point of origin for where the fire started. While
wood char is common in every fire incident, Fire investigators also consider the
charred wood in their analysis that caused the fire and also the depth of the char; it
is one of the bases on which the fire investigator determines where the fire started
by analyzing the depth of the char.

Foundations to Fire Patterns Analysis

1. Avoid Jumping Conclusions

When interpreting fire patterns, fire investigators must be willing to keep an

open mind and adhere to the systemic method instead of drawing conclusions
about the fire cause. In fire forensic science, it is crucial to determine the origin of
fire before assuming “what could be” the cause of the fire. In other words, if a fire
investigator neglects the method by looking at all the wrong areas, his cause
determination will most likely be faulty.

The first reason there is a fire pattern analysis is to identify and trace the fire
pattern. If you are an investigator, you should avoid drawing conclusions without
solid evidence. You cannot easily assume that the cause of the fire is due to this or
that, but a fire pattern should be done.
There are times that fire patterns are identified at a fire scene, but these
patterns or indicators could have been created in different ways. In other words,
these patterns are not absolute. It is important for the investigators to identify more
fire patterns to identify the origin or cause of the fire. Not a single indicator or pattern
can be used to the exclusion of another. All patterns should be taken into account
and compared with other patterns that are observed at the fire scene.

Foundations to Fire Patterns Analysis

2. Patterns are Pointers

Another primary tenet of the analysis is understanding that fire patterns

represent the history of fire. As fires burn, predictable patterns are produced on
materials. All things being equal in fire forensic science, when fires burn near or
at the point origin evidently longer than at other areas, it is indicative that the
destruction and history of fire should come from that point of burn.
 In this part, it explains that the history of fire is another consideration for the
fire pattern. Most of the usual patterns of fire are materials. It could be combustible
liquids such as cooking gas, kerosene oil, cleaning solvents, or either type of diesel
fuel. Or maybe combustible solids such as cloth, coal, or charcoal. Fire investigators
take these materials into consideration in their analysis. The patterns are basically
the pointers to knowing where the fire started.
Here’s the process: if the fire investigator successfully determines the fire
patterns, then a further examination will be carried out. meaning the fire team will
investigate the suspected area of fire origin. If you observe during fire investigations,
they will put up a restricted area protection band where no one except the
investigators can enter the premises. At this stage, if the fire scene appears to have
involved arson or other crimes, the fire investigator must immediately address the
legal requirements for search, scene access, and evidence seizure.

Foundations to Fire Patterns Analysis

3. Understand the physics and chemistry of fire

A Fire patterns, however, can be cumulative in some fire incidents which

can result in an overlay of multiple patterns, one atop another. Other fuels may
become involved and ventilation conditions can possibly change as the fire
progresses. Therefore, fire investigators should take these into consideration as
they examine fire patterns and assign values to them appropriately.

The fire investigators should have enough knowledge about the physics and
chemistry of fire to draw accurate conclusions. Such deliberation in fire forensic
science requires fire investigators to fully comprehend the physics and chemistry of
fire and the modes of heat transfer such as conduction, convection, and radiation.
There will be multiple patterns that will be identified, and the investigators should
consider all of this rather than focusing on one pattern.

Foundations to Fire Patterns Analysis

4. Capture all products of combustion.

Photographs are one of the most important tools to identify fire patterns
and the origin of the fire in fire forensics. A series of photographs should be taken
to portray patterns such as surfaces of materials that have changed in
appearance due to exposure to flames, heat, and other products of combustion.
Patterns of fire movement and fire intensity should also be captured.
 There is importance in pictures. The fire investigation team should capture
every area of the fire scene. These will assist them in their analysis. Pictures taken
are a great help. When interpreted accurately, it allows fire investigators to trace the
path of the fire and eventually point towards the area of fire origin. Several methods
of photographing can be useful for fire pattern analysis.
Sequential photographs can help establish the relationship of a small object
to its relative position in a known area. A mosaic or collage of photographs, on the
other hand, is useful for panoramic views when a sufficiently wide-angle lens is not
available. You will observe during an investigation that when the investigator puts
photographs on a board, a pattern is indicated.