Fire & Property Loss: Science, Investigation & Legal Support

 

1. The Importance of Fire Investigation in Property Loss Claims
When fire destroys or damages property, the true scope of loss often extends beyond visible charred remains. Pinpointing the origin and cause—whether accidental, mechanical, or deliberate—is essential for fair insurance settlements, accurate legal judgments, and fraud prevention. Garrett Forensics provides this level of clarity through scientific investigation and expert testimony.

 

2. Systematic Scene Examination
Drawing on NFPA 921—the industry standard for fire and explosion investigations—Garrett’s arson team follows rigorous protocols to secure, document, and analyze fire scenes:

High-resolution photography, video

Site sketches, burn-pattern mapping, layer-by-layer debris analysis

 

3. Fire Pattern & Origin Analysis
Forensic investigators examine burn patterns (e.g. V‑patterns, char depth), melted materials, and ventilation effects to determine how a fire originated and spread through a building or vehicle.

 

4. Detecting Accelerants & Signs of Arson
To investigate potential arson, Garrett Forensics uses:

Portable gas chromatography for field screening

Laboratory analysis via GC‑MS to identify volatile compounds in debris samples

 

5. Electrical & Mechanical Forensic Engineering
Many fires stem from electrical or mechanical failures. Garrett integrates forensic engineers to:

Inspect wiring for arcing, shorts, or component breakdown

Test appliances or vehicle systems off-site to rule out or confirm malfunctions
For example, in their Kenworth truck fire case, the firm traced a short-circuit to a damaged auxiliary power cable, which initiated ignition through component overheating.

 

6. Property Loss Investigations Beyond Fires
Garrett Forensics also handles complex property damage scenarios not directly related to fire, including:

Foundation failures and slope instability

Water intrusion and drainage issues

Wind-related structural damage

Tree root intrusion and flooring defects

These investigations rely on detailed, multidisciplinary causal analysis to support insurance claims or litigation.

 

7. Interviewing Witnesses & Reconstructing Timelines
To build a comprehensive case, investigators gather eyewitness statements, review security footage, examine utility and emergency response logs, and analyze environmental data. This helps corroborate or challenge narratives and supports a defensible timeline of events.

 

8. Rigorous, Court‑Ready Reporting & Testimony
Garrett’s engineers and forensic specialists produce clear, scientifically grounded reports that align with accepted guidelines like NFPA 921. These are used in criminal, civil, and insurance contexts, with experts often called to testify in court.

 

9. Vehicle Fire Investigations
In cases involving vehicle fires—whether in automobiles, heavy trucks, or boats—Garrett’s experts apply a similarly rigorous methodology:

Examine fire scenes and vehicle components

Analyze electrical systems, fuel systems, wiring, and structural evidence

Conduct lab testing, such as SEM/EDS analysis of suspected short-circuit components (e.g. brake switches), to confirm component-level failures

 

10. Case Examples & Notable Insights
The Kenworth T680 fire: Investigators demonstrated that a trailer power cable crushed during a maneuver created a short-circuit, igniting a fire in the engine compartment—contrary to recall-related fault theories.

Ford SCDS vehicle fires: Forensic analysis, including SEM and chemical testing, has confirmed that failed brake switch components caused short-circuits resulting in catastrophic vehicle fires
garrettforensics.com.

 

Summary: A Holistic, Methodical Approach to Fire‑Related Loss
Garrett Forensics brings scientific rigor, cross-discipline collaboration, and adherence to national standards (like NFPA 921) to fire and property loss investigations. Whether the cause is electrical failure, arson, mechanical breakdown, or environmental damage, their forensic engineering team evaluates every detail and provides expert analysis to support legal and insurance outcomes.