What is the focus of fire investigation?

The focus of fire investigation centers on determining the origin and cause of fires. This process is critical for understanding how and why a fire started, which can provide essential insights into fire behavior, prevent future incidents, and hold responsible parties accountable if necessary. Investigators collect and analyze evidence from the fire scene to reconstruct the events leading up to the fire. This includes examining burn patterns, assessing electrical systems, and looking for accelerants.

Establishing new firefighter training protocols, conducting public safety demonstrations, and analyzing the effectiveness of fire extinguishers, while important tasks within the fire service, do not directly pertain to the field of fire investigation. These activities support fire safety and education but are not focused on the initial inquiry into the cause of specific incidents. Thus, identifying the origin and cause is the primary objective for fire investigators.