Citation

Kooren RJ. J. Can. Soc. Forensic Sci. 1994; 27(1): 15-18.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Canadian Society of Forensic Science, Publisher Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00085030.1994.10757021

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Flashover is a phenomenon which occurs in some, but not all, fire scenes, resulting in the auto-ignition of all combustible materials within a room. In the United States, several arson cases have been defended using the theory that the burn patterns and damage considered indicative of a flammable liquid (accelerant) were in fact caused by flashover conditions. More recently in the southern U.S., during preparations for an upcoming arson/murder trial, test burns produced evidence that flashover conditions could occur without an accelerant and in shorter time spans than originally believed. The phenomenon called flashover and the conditions necessary for it to occur are examined.