Computational flame diagnostics (CFLDs) are systematic tools to extract important information from simulated flames, particularly when detailed chemical kinetic mechanisms are involved. The results of CFLD can be employed for various purposes, e.g. to simplify detailed chemical kinetics for more efficient flame simulations, and to explain flame behaviors associated with complex chemical kinetics. In the present study, the utility of a recently developed method of chemical explosive mode analysis (CEMA) for CFLD will be demonstrated with a variety of flames for n-heptane including auto-ignition, ignition and extinction in steady state perfectly stirred reactors (PSRs) and laminar premixed flames. CEMA was further utilized for analyses and visualization of a direct numerical simulation (DNS) dataset for a 2-D n-heptane-air flame under homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) conditions. CEMA was found to be a versatile method for systematic detection of many critical flame features including ignition, extinction, premixed flame fronts, and flame stabilization mechanisms. The effects of cool flame chemistry for n-heptane on ignition, extinction and flame stability were also investigated with CEMA. (c) 2012 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.