What are fire patterns primarily characterized by?

Fire patterns are primarily characterized by visible or measurable physical changes or shapes formed by fire effects. These patterns arise from the interaction between fire and various materials present at the scene. As the fire burns, it creates distinctive marks, shapes, and effects on surfaces such as floors, walls, ceilings, and furnishings.

Understanding these patterns is crucial for fire investigators, as they can provide insights into the origins of the fire, the direction it traveled, and potentially the source of ignition. Fire patterns can include things like charring, discoloration, and the presence of V-patterns, which can indicate the point of origin and the spread of the fire.

While other factors such as temperature gradients, chemical composition, and smoke behavior may play roles in understanding the fire's development and effects, they do not directly lead to the identification and interpretation of fire patterns in the same way that visible signs and changes do. Thus, recognizing and analyzing these physical manifestations is key to successful fire investigation.