Not trying to pick on anyone, but I believe this is a significant point to understand fore the advancement of the fire investigation community.

This example has less to do with "thinking outside the box," as it does the application of fundamental and reliable knowledge. This fundamental knowledge includes, the chemistry of combustion as applied to hydrocarbon fuels and associated flame temperatures. Knowledge of normalized HRR fro fuels such as wood and gasoline, as well.

Such fundamental and reliable knowledge is a part of the required knowledge as specified in NFPA 1033. The application of such knowledge through the application of the SM is a requirement for the ability to reach reliable determinations. While "thinking outside the box" is a valuable skill and has helped investigators to reach a reliable determination "uniquely consistent" with the available data, the fire investigation community will see greater advancement in reliable determination through the application of "science," where "science" is defined as the compilation of reliable knowledge.

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