How can timelines assist a fire investigator?

Timelines are a critical tool for fire investigators as they assist in assessing the consistency of ignition scenarios during an investigation. Creating a detailed timeline allows investigators to piece together the sequence of events leading up to and following a fire incident. This organization of events can clarify the context under which the fire started, helping to identify whether the ignition sources or potential contributing factors align with eyewitness accounts or physical evidence.

By laying out the chronology of actions and observations, timelines can reveal inconsistencies that might suggest foul play or validate specific ignition scenarios. For example, if a witness claims to have seen a person leaving the scene shortly after the fire started, and the timeline contradicts this account based on objective evidence (like video footage or other testimonies), the investigator can adjust their focus accordingly.

Visualizing the sequence of events through a timeline also aids in understanding complex scenarios where multiple factors may have played a role in the ignition and spread of the fire. Thus, timelines become invaluable in establishing a clear narrative about how the fire developed and whether it was accidental or intentional.

In contrast, while visualizing fire spread patterns helps in the analysis of how a fire traveled through a structure, it does not directly contribute to understanding ignition scenarios. Certifying fire safety measures is unrelated to investigating the