When a single hypothesis cannot be determined, what term is used to describe it?

The term "undetermined" is used when a single hypothesis cannot be established or confirmed in a fire investigation context. This indicates that there is insufficient evidence or clarity to conclusively support any one theory or explanation for the cause of the fire.

In fire investigations, situations often arise where multiple factors could contribute to the incident, or where there is a lack of clear evidence pointing to a single cause. When investigators are unable to support one hypothesis over another due to the evidence available, they categorize the situation as undetermined. This recognizes the complexity of the incident and the necessity for further analysis, additional information, or investigation.

Other terms, while they may seem similar, do not accurately capture the specific state of needing further investigation. "Pending" implies that a decision is expected shortly, while "ambiguous" suggests that something can be interpreted in multiple ways, but not necessarily that a hypothesis cannot be determined. "Undefined" lacks clarity as well, as it does not specifically denote the investigative context of hypotheses and conclusions. Therefore, "undetermined" is the most precise and appropriate term in this scenario.