What do burn patterns indicate in a fire investigation?

Burn patterns play a crucial role in fire investigations as they provide vital information regarding the dynamics of the fire. Specifically, analyzing these patterns can reveal how flames, heat, and smoke traveled through the space, which is essential for understanding the sequence of events during the fire. For instance, patterns like "V" shapes can indicate the point of origin, while differences in burn intensity can show how fire spread in the environment.

Additionally, observing the direction in which the debris has fallen or the intensity of the burn on various surfaces helps investigators determine airflow, the presence of accelerants, and ventilation dynamics. Thus, recognizing the nature of flame, heat, and smoke movements helps piece together the circumstances surrounding the fire's onset and progression, contributing to a more accurate reconstruction of the incident scene.