Frequently Asked Questions

No, filing a lawsuit is not a prerequisite. You can request an investigation before any litigation begins, in order to determine the true cause of the fire, initiate insurance claim or subrogation processes, or build a strong body of evidence in preparation for a possible future legal proceeding.

Absolutely. The "Expert Opinion" (scientific mütalaa) reports we prepare carry legal evidentiary weight under Turkey's Criminal Procedure Code (CMK Art. 67) and Code of Civil Procedure (HMK Art. 293), and can be confidently submitted to courts, prosecutors' offices, or insurance arbitration commissions.

All files, scene data, and personal information submitted to us are stored in encrypted environments in compliance with Turkey's Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK). Only the relevant experts have access to files, and a strict confidentiality policy is applied at every stage of the process. A formal non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is signed upon request.

A "bilirkişi report" is prepared by a person officially appointed directly by the presiding judge or prosecutor. An "expert opinion," on the other hand, is a scientifically and legally grounded report that the parties to a case obtain from independent experts to support their own claims or to refute an incomplete or flawed bilirkişi report.

Yes, it can. Even if the scene has been completely cleaned or repaired, a comprehensive "file-based forensic investigation" can be carried out using fire-department reports, photographs and camera footage from the time of and immediately after the incident, witness statements, laboratory results, and other documents in the case file.

In cases where intent is suspected, the scene is examined for residues of accelerant chemicals (gasoline, thinner, etc.), V- and U-shaped burn patterns are analyzed, and whether the fire started simultaneously at multiple independent points is investigated. The resulting scientific findings either confirm or conclusively refute the arson hypothesis.

Arc (short-circuit) marks, melting beads, and insulation damage found on electrical panels, wiring, outlets, and fuses are examined using macroscopic and microscopic methods. Special engineering tests determine whether the electrical damage was the cause of the fire or a secondary result of it.

All of our investigation and reporting processes follow a scientific methodology conducted in accordance with the globally recognized NFPA 921 (Guide for Fire and Explosion Investigations) and NFPA 1033 (Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Investigators).

The timeline varies depending on the scale of the incident, the file content, and the required laboratory analyses. A standard file-based investigation and expert opinion report is typically completed within 7 to 14 business days from the scene inspection or file submission.

If you disagree with an insurance company's damage assessment or subrogation claim, we review the scene findings and case file to conduct an independent "Fault and Liability Analysis." The resulting expert opinion can be submitted, under HMK Art. 293, as technical grounds in insurance arbitration proceedings, in court, or directly in your objection to the insurance company.

This distinction is made by jointly evaluating electrical arc marks at the scene together with any accelerant residue. Whether melting beads in the electrical wiring formed before the fire (a primary arc) or during the fire (secondary damage) is determined through microscopic examination; suspicion of arson is investigated through V/U-shaped burn patterns and GC-MS laboratory analysis searching for accelerant residues such as gasoline or thinner. For more detail, see our electrical fire analysis and accelerant use analysis service pages.

Yes. In addition to the officially appointed "Bilirkişi" report, the "Expert Opinion" (private expert / scientific mütalaa) reports parties obtain from independent experts also carry legal evidentiary weight under CMK Art. 67 and HMK Art. 293, and can be submitted to courts, prosecutors' offices, or insurance arbitration commissions. You can read more about the distinction between a bilirkişi and an expert opinion in the related article in our knowledge base.