Fire Investigation Services

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Fire and Arson Investigation Fire Patterns
associated with Ignitable Liquid Accelerants
By Bob Corry www.sceneinvestigator.com
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One of the major objectives of a fire scene
examination is the recognition, identification
and analysis of fire patterns. NFPA 921
(2004) 4.1
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Success in Recognizing Arson begins with
recognizing possible Arson Fire Patterns
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NFPA 921 on Fire Patterns

• Holes in the floor may be caused by glowing
  combustion, radiation or an ignitable liquid.
  6.2.3.1
• There is no justification that the appearance of
  large, curved blisters is an exclusive indicator
  of an accelerated fire. 6.5.5
• The presence or absence of spalling should not,
  in and of itself, be construed as an indicator of
  the presence or absence of a liquid fuel
  accelerant. 6.6.2.3
• The collapse of springs cannot be used to
  indicate exposure to a specific type of heat
  source or ignition such as smoldering ignition or
  the presence of an ignitable liquid. 6.14
• Inverted cone patterns have been interpreted as
  proof of flammable liquid fires, but any fuel
  source that produced flame zones that do not
  become vertically restricted can produce inverted
  cone patterns. 6.17.3.1.2

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First! Search for Odd Variations in Fire Patterns
Unusual localized wall pattern
Unusual, localized damage to the bed
Unusual floor burn pattern
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Witnesses Reported Odor of Gasoline! A low
pressure wave! Furniture moved before fire!
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Symptoms of Ignitable Liquid Use (Possible
indicators of an accelerated fire)

• Burn injuries
• to the
• hands, face, legs
• or hair of a suspect/witness.

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Afternoon Program
Unnatural Fire Spread (downward, unusually fast,
etc.)
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Unnatural Fire Damage
One gallon of gasoline was poured here!
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Bright yellow/orange flames accompanied by black
smoke.
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Intense localized rusting/warping, especially to
the undersides of metal objects within the
pattern
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Intense localized rusting/warping, especially
to the undersides of metal objects within the
pattern
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Structural damage inconsistent with fire loading
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Intermixed light, medium heavy burn patterns
within the overall pattern
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Rainbow-colored sheen on the surface of
suppression water over the pour area.
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Accelerant containers in or near the scene.
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Increased burn damage pattern at the bottom of
boxes, furniture legs, etc.
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Pool shaped, intermixed, mottled black and brown
staining on concrete together with a tendency
to repel water.
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Ghost marks between seams of floor tiles
within the pour area.
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Localized clean burnarea on a wall or
appliance above a pattern where intense heat
burned away soot deposits.
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(No Transcript)
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Inverted Cone fire pattern
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Search for the soot plume!
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Key Properties of Common Ignitable Liquids

• Behave like any liquid before ignition.
• Most float on water, are immiscible, rainbow
• Form explosive vapors at room temperatures
• Vapors are heavier than air
• Readily absorbed
• Powerful solvents
• Dont spontaneously ignite
• Explosive Limits/Ignition Temperature
• Sampling the accelerant fire pattern

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Related Physical Evidence

• The Accelerant Container
• Other instrumentalities (i.e. ignition device)
• Changing the arrangement of combustibles to
  increase fire loading
• Propping open doors windows
• The ignition device
• Explosion/Deflagration?
• Burn patterns and the burned perp

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For Specialized Training www.interfire.org
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Accelerant Detection K-9 Teams are very
important especially in large loss fires.
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A Pocket Guide toAccelerant Evidence Collection,
2nd Edition

• Cited as a reference in all editions of NFPA 921,
  Kirks Fire Investigation 5th Edition, interFIRE
  VR
• Go to www.maiaai.org for more information