True or False: An investigator should always assume that the point of greatest damage was where the fire burned the longest and therefore is the origin.

The statement is false because the point of greatest damage is not necessarily the origin of the fire. In fire investigations, determining the origin involves examining several factors including the fire's path, fuel sources, ventilation conditions, and the materials involved.

The point of greatest damage may indicate where the fire had the most significant impact, but this does not mean it was the starting point. For example, a fire could spread quickly through flammable materials and cause extensive damage to one area before consuming the area of origin, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact source simply based on damage alone.

Additionally, factors such as wind direction, availability of fuel, and the structure’s layout can influence how and where a fire burns, leading to significant damage in areas away from the origin. Therefore, investigators must rely on a thorough analysis of all evidence and fire dynamics instead of making assumptions based solely on damage assessment.