The development of burn pattern formation recording methods to assist in validating fire investigation

Abstract

The role of a fire investigator is to determine the origin and cause of fires (burn pattern analysis). Fire pattern analysis has recently received criticism that it is subjective and lacks validation. Potential inconsistencies in fire investigator training are further contributing to this criticism. Much of the research conducted on fire investigation that underpins the burn pattern analysis discipline focusses on the post-fire burn pattern and the pre-fire fuel load, whilst the fire development stage is often not captured in sufficient detail to provide a clear link between fuel load and the post-fire burn pattern obtained. A method that can record fire development in detail would therefore be beneficial as it would capture critical data that allows fire pattern analysis to be more rigorously validated. The aim of this project was to develop a preliminary method to record fire development and to process the data collected to correlate fire development to the fuel load and burn pattern. A recording method and data processing procedures were initially developed using small-scale and highly controlled scenarios. It was found that conventional photography and 3D laser scans provided critical information on the pre- and post-fire conditions. Any sufficiently detailed videography method (e.g. 4K, High-Definition (HD) or Full High-Definition (FHD)) should be used to record the fire development from multiple camera positions outside of the compartment, whilst the use of videography inside the compartment provided critical fire development information which was conducted using disposable WiFi cameras for this project. The combined use of thermal imaging camera and thermocouples provided insight into the fire development relative to the fuel load. It was found that the data processing method was essential in addressing the aim of this project. Overlaying of photographs with each other and also video recordings and temperature information provided critical, visual information on the correlation between fuel load, fire development and burn pattern. Although this was a preliminary study and further method development is warranted, the results demonstrated that the method was capable of recording and visualising critical information in understanding fire patterns for fire testing and validation purposes.

Date of Thesis submission	2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Western Sydney University
Supervisor	Val Spikmans (Supervisor) & Robert Ebeyan (Supervisor)