FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 1

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Material Property Impacts on Fire Patterns

Describe

the need:

Almost all of the guidance on wall and ceiling patterns in NFPA 921 is based on those 

surfaces being unpainted gypsum wallboard. It is important that fire investigators 

understand that their analysis and interpretation of patterns may change as the material 

on which those patterns manifest themselves change. The effects that are created on 

surfaces other than gypsum wallboard are largely unknown.

Keyword(s): Material properties, burning properties, fire patterns, fire pattern creation, fire origin, fire

spread

Submitting subcommittee(s): Fire & Explosion Investigation Date Approved: March 10, 2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Yes. NFPA 921, Chapter 6, Fire Patterns is ever evolving to address enhanced understanding of the effects of fire and 

the patterns resulting from ventilation effects. It is currently under review for the next edition of the standard.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

No.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

Kim, M.E., Dembsey, N. (2012). Engineering Guide for Estimating Material Pyrolysis Properties for Fire

Modeling, WPI Final Report 28 September 2012.

Geiman, J, McCarthy, L (2015). Assessment of Damage by Fire Investigators, Fire and Materials Conference,

San Francisco, CA.

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

Yes.

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?
FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 2

This research need is targeted to improve current fire investigation field work rather than laboratory analyses. This

research will serve to better inform fire investigators as to how to approach the interpretation of fire patterns as well 

as the training they receive in this area. In addition to a comprehensive report, a series of training materials would 

also be important to the understanding of how ventilation (or the lack thereof) affects fire patterns.

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

See Number 5.

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

This research will help the fire investigation community to apply a more systematic approach to fire pattern 

analysis. This more systematic approach will improve expert opinions and testimony relating to fire pattern 

analysis.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): I

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.