What type of fire investigation is most concerned with determining cause?

The focus of origin and cause investigations is specifically to determine how a fire started and what factors contributed to its ignition. This type of investigation is critical in understanding whether the fire was accidental, intentional, or the result of negligence. Investigators analyze various elements such as the location of the fire's origin, the materials involved, and any contributing environmental factors to establish a clear picture of the sequence of events leading to the fire.

In contrast, fire prevention officer investigations primarily look at measures to prevent future fires without necessarily delving into the specifics of a previous incident's cause. Forensic pathologist investigations are centered on determining causes of death related to fire incidents, rather than the fire's initiation itself. Statistical fire trend analysis focuses on collecting and interpreting data to identify patterns over time, which is valuable for broader safety and prevention strategies but does not directly address individual incidents. Therefore, origin and cause investigations are uniquely aimed at pinpointing the specific reasons behind a fire, making them the correct choice in this context.