Chapter 15 - Fire Scene Reconstruction

Abstract

This chapter discusses various aspects of fire scene reconstruction which includes basic fire chemistry, basic fire dynamics, area of origin, and criminalistics aspect. Fire can be defined as a sustained exothermic oxidation of a fuel sufficient to produce readily detectable heat and light. The reconstruction of fire scenes is considerably more difficult than the reconstruction of a typical homicide scene because of the changes and destruction wrought by the event being investigated. Forensic fire scene reconstruction, when applied properly, can aid in the hypothesis testing that is so critical to defending conclusions in court. The reconstruction involves a fire engineering analysis of the elements of the fire to evaluate direction of fire spread, intensity of fire exposure, duration of exposure, effects on materials, effects on people in the fire environment, and timelines of events. Criminalistic evidence has played a critical role in the reconstruction of both intentional and accidental fires. It is suggested that criminalistics evidence includes shoe impressions, fingerprints, blood, tool impressions, physical match, and trace evidence.