Fire investigationMark Ross MSc. M.I.Fire.E. IAAI CFI

EFI Global, a Sedgwick company

What is fire?A rapid oxidation

reaction leading to the evolution of heat and light in varying

intensities

Pyrolosis

Fuel

Flame

PYROLOSIS ZONE

o2 o2

Combustion

Heat

Fuel Oxygen

Scientific method• Recognise the need• Define the problem• Collect the data• Analyse the data

• Develop a hypothesis• Test the hypothesis• Select the final hypothesis• (determine the cause)

What’s the difference?258 seconds 123 seconds

AccelerantA fuel or oxidizer, often an ignitable liquid. Used to initiate, increase the growth or spread of a fire

Case studyFatal fire resulting in the death of two children

Front door, open on the arrival of fire crews.

View of the hallway. The kitchen can be

seen at the end.

Fire damage in the bedroom.

Extensive fire damage in the

bedroom

Scene excavation photos

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data.

Insensibly one begins to twist the facts to suit theories, instead of theories to

suit facts.

- Sherlock Holmes

Thank youAny questions

Mark Ross MSc. M.I.Fire.E. IAAI CFISenior Forensic Investigator

EFI Global, a Sedgwick company

T +44 207 530 0605 M +44 7557 849937E mark.ross@uk.sedgwick.com