FIRE

PATTERN
ANALYSIS
 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.
 WHAT IS FIRE PATTERN
ANALYSIS?
The proper analysis of fire patterns which dependent
upon the dynamics of fire development is called
Dynamics of Pattern Production.
WHEN WILL THE FIRE PATTERN
ANALYSIS BE DONE?

Once the Fire Ground

Commander declare
the fire scene is fire
out.
FIRE INVESTIGATION
Trace and Locate the Fire
Fire Investigator Pattern

1. To trace the fire spread.

2. To identify areas and the points
Objectives of Fire of origin.
Investigation 3. Identify fuels or the combustible
involve.
 TYPES OF FIRE
PATTERNS
Fire Patterns Intensity
Movement Patterns
 FIRE MOVEMENT
PATTERN
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.
 INTENSITY PATTERN
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.
FIRE 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.
 FIRE PATTERNS
·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.
FOUNDATIONS TO
FIRE PATTERN
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.
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.
3. UNDERSTANDING 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.
4. CAPTURE ALL PRODUCTS OF
CUMBOSTION

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.
 Thank you
for listening!