Fire/Arson Investigations : Fire/Arson Investigations
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Re: Compiling of Unreliable Indicators
Posted by: dcarpenter (IP Logged)
Date: November 08, 2020 07:33PM
This section in NFPA 921 does not absolve one from reliably applying the Scientific Method to reach reliable determinations.
The use of these as indicators as a scientific basis for determining the fire origin is scientifically unreliable.
The use of "area of greatest damage" and "presence of a v-pattern" as "terms" to describe fire patterns that can be used as evidence to test fire origin hypotheses is appropriate.
A subtle, but important distinction, which needs to be understood by any qualified fire investigators. Any deviation from such needs to have a scientifically reliable basis. Again, any qualification to a general "rule of thumb" needs the same.
Douglas J. Carpenter, MScFPE, CFEI, PE, FSFPE
Vice President & Principal Engineer
Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc.
8940 Old Annapolis Road, Suite L
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 884-3266
(410) 884-3267 (fax)
www.csefire.com
The use of these as indicators as a scientific basis for determining the fire origin is scientifically unreliable.
The use of "area of greatest damage" and "presence of a v-pattern" as "terms" to describe fire patterns that can be used as evidence to test fire origin hypotheses is appropriate.
A subtle, but important distinction, which needs to be understood by any qualified fire investigators. Any deviation from such needs to have a scientifically reliable basis. Again, any qualification to a general "rule of thumb" needs the same.
Douglas J. Carpenter, MScFPE, CFEI, PE, FSFPE
Vice President & Principal Engineer
Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc.
8940 Old Annapolis Road, Suite L
Columbia, MD 21045
(410) 884-3266
(410) 884-3267 (fax)
www.csefire.com
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