Independent and factual, we’ll get to the bottom of it
FORENSIC FIRE ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATION
Our investigators are trained and recognised experts in the field of forensic fire origin and cause determination. With a wealth of industry experience and tertiary qualifications, you can rely on our professional fire investigators to determine how the fire originated and the cause of fires, in all disciplines.
At FEMAR, we are the only fire safety and investigation firm in Australia to offer experts with comprehensive tertiary science qualifications coupled with professional firefighting and law enforcement backgrounds.
What is Forensic Fire Investigation?
Forensic fire investigation is the scientific process of examining fire-related incidents to determine their origin, cause, and how the fire progressed. It applies fire science, chemistry, and physics principles to analyze fire scenes and gather evidence.
Here’s a breakdown of what it involves:
Determining Origin and Cause
The primary goal is to pinpoint where the fire started (the origin) and what ignited it (the cause). This could be anything from an electrical malfunction or unattended cooking to a deliberate act of arson.
Scene Examination
Fire investigators meticulously examine the fire scene, often sifting through debris and observing burn patterns, heat damage, and the extent of the destruction. They look for clues like “V” patterns, char marks, and melted materials, indicating the fire’s path and intensity.
Evidence Collection
Like other forensic disciplines, fire investigation involves carefully collecting and preserving physical evidence. This might include:
Samples of ignitable liquids (accelerants)
- Flammable materials
- Items that sustained fire damage
- Fingerprints or shoe prints (if present)
- Any potential ignition devices
- Digital evidence (e.g., security camera footage)
Analysis and Hypothesis Testing
Collected evidence is often sent to forensic laboratories for analysis using techniques like gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to detect accelerants. Investigators use the scientific method to develop and test hypotheses about how the fire started and spread, comparing them against all known facts.
- Interviewing Witnesses: Gathering information from witnesses, property owners, and first responders is crucial for understanding the fire’s circumstances.
- Documentation: Thorough documentation of the scene, including photographs, sketches, and detailed notes, is essential for reconstructing the event and potential legal proceedings.
- Legal Testimony: Forensic fire investigators often serve as expert witnesses in criminal or civil court cases, presenting their findings and supporting evidence.
We are recognised experts in
- Structure – residential, commercial, industrial, hay sheds, farm sheds;
- Vehicle – cars, all trucks, trailers, caravans;
- Plant and equipment – excavators, bull dozers, turbines, generators, cranes;
- Marine – boats, ships, yachts;
- Bush – grass, scrub, forest;
- Bomb scenes – explosives, Molotov cocktails, pressure vessels, boilers.
- We can provide both forensic and licensed factual investigators.
We offer our customers:
- State of the art hand held chemical detection for on site determination of flammable liquids, hydrocarbons and volatile organics.
- NATA accredited chemical laboratory for sample analysis, using most modern analytical equipment.
- The ability to take quality aerial images using a state of the art drone equipment.
- Secure, CCTV monitored, storage facility for retention and examination of evidence.
- A unique on site ability to remove vehicle parts, such as wheel hubs, for forensic examination.