Which statement about hypothesis formation is accurate?

The statement that hypotheses must be developed from empirical data is accurate because a well-formed hypothesis is rooted in observable and measurable evidence. In the context of fire investigation, this means that investigators should base their hypotheses on data collected from the scene, including physical evidence, witness statements, and scientific principles related to fire dynamics. This grounded approach ensures that the hypothesis is testable and can be supported or disproven as new evidence emerges during the investigative process.

Hypotheses formed solely on assumptions, without the backbone of empirical data, lack the rigor needed to advance a scientific inquiry. Additionally, the requirement that all hypotheses must be proven correct is misleading; rather, hypotheses should be subject to testing and revision based on the findings of the investigation. Finally, the idea that hypotheses are irrelevant to the outcome of an investigation contradicts the fundamental role they play in guiding the investigative process, as they help to focus the investigation and determine what further evidence needs to be collected.