Certified Fire Investigator Practice Exam

Are the angles of "V" patterns useful in determining how long a fire has burned?

1. Yes, they indicate the fire's duration

2. No, they do not indicate duration

3. Only in specific conditions

4. Only for residential fires

The correct answer is: No, they do not indicate duration

The angles of "V" patterns do not provide direct information about the duration of a fire. While these patterns can illustrate the direction of heat and flames and indicate the origin of the fire, they are more reflective of the intensity and spread of the fire at a certain moment rather than how long the fire has been burning. Fire duration involves numerous factors such as the type of materials involved, ventilation conditions, and overall fuel load, which are not solely indicated by the shape of the burn pattern. Therefore, relying on the angles of "V" patterns would be insufficient to make conclusions about the length of time a fire has been active. The shape and extent of burn patterns can be influenced by how quickly the fire developed and how different materials respond to heat, but they cannot accurately reflect the chronological timeline of the fire.