Fire Investigation: Origin and Cause

Origin and Cause Analysis: Advanced Electrical Fire Investigation Techniques

Electrical fires leave behind a complex trail of evidence. This paper focuses on the advanced forensic techniques used to separate "electrical activity" (result of a fire) from "electrical cause" (the start of a fire).

• Arc Mapping Methodology: Using the location of electrical arcs to "triangulate" the fire’s point of origin.

• Metallurgical Analysis: How examining copper globules under a microscope reveals if a short circuit happened before or during the fire.
• Appliance & Device Forensics: Investigating internal component failures in commercial-grade kitchen and HVAC equipment.
• NFPA 921 Compliance: Ensuring every step of the investigation follows the National Fire Protection Association’s "gold standard."
• ‍