What might indicate multiple points of origin in a fire scene?

Multiple points of origin in a fire scene can often be indicated by the presence of falldown burning. This phenomenon occurs when burning materials, such as embers or sparks, fall from a higher place and ignite combustible materials below. If there are multiple locations where burning material has fallen and created fires, it suggests that there could be separate origins, rather than just one source that expanded.

This characteristic can help an investigator determine that the fire may not have started from a single ignition point but rather from several independent points. Observing falldown burning provides critical evidence to suggest that the fire was more complex, indicating potential premeditated actions or the use of accelerants rather than an accidental fire spread from a single source.

In contrast, burn patterns that converge at a single location typically signify a single origin. Uniform temperature readings would suggest a consistent fuel load and could indicate a well-established fire rather than multiple points of origin. Unusual char lengths might indicate varying burn durations, but without the presence of falldown burning, it wouldn't directly indicate multiple ignition sources.