Fire Incident Investigation Analysis
Analyze fire incident evidence to determine origin, cause, and contributing factors
What You Can Do
You can organize and analyze complex fire investigation data including physical evidence, witness testimony, environmental conditions, and building systems information to identify fire origin and probable cause. Claude helps you cross-reference evidence against NFPA 921 guidelines, synthesize large documentation volumes, and build defensible timelines—all while you maintain investigator authority and scene expertise. The skill supports both administrative findings and legal proceedings with methodical documentation.
Features
organize and cross-reference physical evidence, photos, and laboratory results against established fire science principles
evaluate testimonies for consistency, timeline accuracy, and relevance to origin determination
help identify fire origin location using burn patterns, damage progression, and evidence positioning
test preliminary cause theories against collected evidence to distinguish probable, possible, and undetermined classifications
build chronological narratives from witness accounts and physical evidence to establish fire progression
maintain evidence integrity tracking through structured analysis without compromising evidentiary standards
organize findings into defensible investigation reports suitable for insurance, law enforcement, or court proceedings
ensure analysis aligns with National Fire Protection Association investigation guidelines and standards
Example Output
Evidence Analysis Output:
- Origin identified: Northeast corner, first floor, Bedroom 2
- Supporting evidence: Deep charring on wall studs (12+ inches), floor joist damage pattern consistent with prolonged heat exposure, witness account of initial flame visibility through that window
- Conflicting evidence: None noted
- Probable cause: Unattended smoking materials on upholstered furniture
Timeline Reconstruction:
- 14:23 — Witness A reports seeing smoke from driveway
- 14:25 — Witness B smells smoke inside residence, begins evacuation
- 14:27 — First call to emergency services
- 14:32 — Fire department arrival; flames visible through Bedroom 2 windows
- Physical evidence supports 4–6 minute pre-detection burn period based on char depth and structural damage progression
Investigation Status: Probable cause determination supported by physical evidence and witness testimony alignment
What's Included
- SKILL.md instruction file with NFPA 921 analysis protocols:
- Fire scene documentation checklist (evidence types, photo requirements, measurements):
- Witness statement evaluation framework (consistency flags, timeline markers, relevance assessment):
- Origin determination worksheet (burn patterns, evidence hierarchy, competing hypotheses):
- Chain-of-custody tracking template for evidence integrity:
- Investigation report outline (findings, conclusions, confidence levels):
Who It's For
- Fire marshals and fire investigators conducting structure fire investigations
- Insurance fire investigators determining cause for claims and liability
- Law enforcement collaborating on suspicious fire or arson cases
- Building safety officials analyzing fire incident reports for code compliance
- Fire department incident commanders documenting preliminary investigations
Best For
- Initial fire cause determination and origin location analysis
- Organizing and synthesizing large volumes of witness statements and physical evidence
- Building defensible timelines from multiple sources of investigation data
- Evaluating competing origin or cause hypotheses against collected evidence
- Preparing investigation reports for insurance, legal, or administrative proceedings
- Ensuring NFPA 921 compliance in investigation methodology and documentation
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