What does the inability to identify the point or area of origin not preclude?

The inability to pinpoint the point or area of origin does not prevent a valid determination of cause in fire investigations. Even when investigators cannot locate the precise origin of the fire, they can gather other types of evidence and analyze factors such as witness testimonies, patterns of fire spread, and the materials involved. All of these elements can contribute to establishing the cause of the fire.

In some cases, investigators may be able to determine that the fire was accidental, a result of negligence, or intentionally set (arson) based on the evidence collected, even without knowing the exact starting point. Therefore, a cause can still be derived from the overall context of the fire incident, demonstrating that origin and cause are related but distinct aspects of fire investigation.