How does learning where the fire originated help in CSI?

How does learning where the fire originated help in CSI?

Richard Saferstein (Former Chief Forensic Scientist) gives expert video advice on: How does a fire ignite?; How does learning where the fire originated help in CSI?; How does a fire grow? and more...

The first thing that the forensic scientist has to ascertain is whether there is the possibility of arson. That is, whether a perpetrator added an accelerant to start the fire. Where the fire began, and how the flames travelled through the structure, will help answer the question as to whether there is the possibility that an accelerant existed. If that possibility is likely, then samplings will be taken of material collected at the scene of the fire and they will be analyzed for the presence of an accelerant at the crime lab.