What does char refer to in fire investigation?

Char refers to the pyrolized carbonaceous material that remains after a material has been subjected to high temperatures and combustion. This substance is a result of incomplete burning, where organic material is transformed by heat into a blackened, carbon-rich residue. Char represents a phase of combustion where the material has been altered through pyrolysis, which is the thermal decomposition of materials at elevated temperatures in an inert atmosphere.

In fire investigation, analyzing char is crucial as it can provide important clues about the fire's origin, intensity, and the materials involved. Observing the characteristics of char, including its texture and color, helps investigators determine how long and at what temperatures the material was exposed to fire. This information can help reconstruct the fire's development and establish potential points of ignition.

In contrast, unburned fuel particles, smoke residue, and flammable gases produced do not embody the specific characteristics of char and do not play the same significant role in analysis related to the fire’s investigation process. Char has distinct forensic implications that are vital for understanding the dynamics of the fire event.