The Two Paths to Becoming a Fire Investigator: Science vs. Firefighting Backgrounds

VITHYAA THAVAPALAN, FOUNDER, PRINCIPAL & CEO OF FORENSIC ORIGIN AND CAUSE INVESTIGATIONS

Fire investigation cannot be mastered in a 40-hour or even 80-hour certification course. It’s a career of continuous learning.

This article is written based on the entry-level fire investigator.

Fire investigation is a niche field where two very different backgrounds converge—the academically trained forensic scientist or engineer and the experienced firefighter who has spent years on the front lines. Both bring valuable skills, yet they approach investigations with different perspectives. The debate over which background makes for the better fire investigator is ongoing, but the truth is, neither path alone is enough. Experience in real-world fire scenes always trumps theoretical knowledge, and learning never truly stops in this field.

The Science-Based Fire Investigator

Investigators from a scientific or engineering background usually have degrees or qualifications recognised in forensic science and/or fire investigation. They approach fire investigations methodically, applying scientific principles (such as the scientific method) to determine the cause and origin of a fire.

One major advantage of this approach is precision. Science-based investigators rely on not just burn patterns but also other objective data rather than gut instinct, which can make their findings more defensible in court. They are also more likely to be trained in structured forensic methods, ensuring that evidence is collected and further analysis is completed when required. There is also an understanding of their expertise and their boundaries.

However, the biggest challenge for a science-based investigator is the lack of hands-on experience. Fire behaviour in a controlled training environment vastly differs from what happens in real-world scenarios, where factors like wind, building materials, and fire suppression tactics can drastically change how fire spreads. Classroom education can teach fire theory, but it doesn’t expose someone to the unpredictability and intensity of an actual fireground.

The Firefighter-Turned-Investigator

On the other side, many fire investigators begin their careers as firefighters, spending years battling fires before shifting into investigative roles. Their experience gives them a natural intuition for fire behaviour. They can read burn patterns, understand how suppression tactics might have altered a scene, and have a gut feeling for when something doesn’t add up.

Firefighters bring a practical, real-world understanding that cannot be taught in a classroom. They’ve seen how different materials burn, how fire reacts to various environments, and how human behaviour during a fire can impact an investigation. This level of exposure is invaluable, as fire doesn’t always behave the way textbooks suggest.

But firefighting experience alone doesn’t make someone a great investigator. Without formal scientific training, a firefighter-turned-investigator might rely too heavily on past experiences rather than analysing a scene with an open mind. Fire dynamics can be complex, and not all fires behave similarly. Without a structured forensic approach, there’s a risk of misinterpreting evidence, particularly when it comes to electrical fires, chemical reactions, or arson cases.

The differences between the two common backgrounds of entry-level fire investigators.

Why Experience on the Ground Matters More Than Any Background

Whether an investigator comes from a science or firefighting background, nothing replaces experience on the ground.

I, for one, learned everything side by side—completing my university degree while interning at a private fire investigation firm. I wasn’t just absorbing theory in a classroom; I was in the field, on scene, seeing firsthand how fire behaves in real-world conditions. This blend of academic study and hands-on experience meant that by the time I finished my degree, I had already been working on live cases, applying forensic principles in practical settings. Education and experience were never separate paths for me—they evolved together.

Every fire scene is different, and every investigation presents new challenges. Even the most experienced investigators still encounter cases that challenge their knowledge. The best fire investigators—regardless of where they started—are those who commit to ongoing learning, whether that’s through real-world experience, mentorship, or further education.

The divide between science-based and firefighter-based investigators shouldn’t be seen as a competition. Instead, the best fire investigation teams combine both perspectives, ensuring that investigations are grounded in scientific accuracy and real-world practicality. The ultimate goal is to determine the cause and origin of a fire with the highest level of certainty possible.