What is the purpose of computer-driven fire models?

The purpose of computer-driven fire models primarily centers around their ability to simulate fire behavior and dynamics in a controlled, replicable environment, making them invaluable to fire investigation. Among the options provided, the role of these models in enhancing witness statement evaluations is noteworthy, as they can help corroborate or challenge accounts by visualizing fire spread and conditions.

However, these models are fundamentally used to analyze how a fire grows and spreads under various conditions, providing insight into fire dynamics, helping investigators formulate conclusions based on scientific data rather than solely relying on personal observations. Therefore, while enhancing witness statements can be a helpful outcome of using these models, their primary capabilities include calculating growth rates, predicting combustion temperatures, and measuring fire spread rates.

In the context of fire investigations, while visually demonstrating scenarios can support evaluations of witness statements, the broader application of these models encompasses critical aspects directly related to fire characteristics and dynamics—such as how fast a fire will spread or the temperatures it may reach—which are essential for accurate fire analysis.