What type of evidence is indicated by fire patterns that show the origin and travel of fire?

Fire patterns are critical for determining the origin and travel of a fire, which falls under the category of physical evidence. Physical evidence refers to tangible items that can be observed and analyzed to understand the circumstances surrounding an event, such as a fire. In arson investigations, fire patterns can indicate the way in which the fire behaved, the materials involved, and possible ignition sources.

This type of evidence is crucial for investigators as it can help establish a timeline and guide them in reconstructing the incident. Other types of evidence, like biological evidence, focus on organic materials; trace evidence deals with small quantities of materials, such as fibers or chemicals; and digital evidence pertains to information derived from electronic devices. None of these would provide the same insights related to the physical characteristics of a fire scene as physical evidence does.