Fire Dynamics and Forensic Analysis of Liquid Fuel Spill Fires

This project will expand the fundamental understanding of fuel spill fire dynamics, establish the utility of forensic tools, and validate empirically-based correlations used to model spill fire scenarios. Completion of the project will improve the practice of fire investigation by providing a technical basis for realistic fire scenarios, improving fire scene interpretation, evaluating potential correlations between fire scene evidence and the fire dynamics of different arson and accidental fire scenarios, and advancing fire incident analysis by validating empirical correlations. By determining at the scene whether a fire resulted from an accidental ignitable liquid spill or from an intentional act of arson, fire investigators will be able to assess the need for further analysis as a potential arson case. This will reduce the amount of evidence submitted to forensic laboratories for analysis, thus reducing the backlog of potential arson cases to process.

ca/ncf