Arson Flashcards
What are motives for arson
need/desire operating on will, revenge
What is ARSON
The deliberate setting of fire with intent to result in loss of life or property
What are the motives as per FBI
Vandalism Excitement Revenge Crime Concealment Extremist Profit
Explain arson driven by vandalism
Malicious/mischevious fire setting that results in damage to property
What are common targets in vandalism motivated arson
schools and their property, educational facilities, abandoned structures and flammable vegetation
What is excitement motivated arson
Arson caused by seekers of thrills, attention, recognition and, rarely, but importantly, sexual gratification
What is revenge motivated arson
Arson set in retaliation for some injustice, real/imagined perceived by the offender.
What triggers revenge motivated arson
arguments, fights, infinite array of events perceived by the offender to warrant retaliation
List targers in revenge motivated arson
vehicles, homes, personal possessions
Can revenge motivated arsonist be a one time occurrence
yes
What are the 3 retaliation categories in revenge motivated arsonsit
Societal
Institutional
Group
define who takes part in societal retaliation
Someone who feels he has been betrayed by society. This person suffers from life long feeling of abuse, inadequacy, loneliness, presecution or abuse
Who/what do societal retaliation arsonists target
Random targets
How does the fire setting behaviour of societal retaliation arsonist change over time
it escalates
Which of the 3 categories of revenge motivated arsonists is the most dangerous
Societal retaliation
Define characteristics of institutional retaliation arsonist
serial arsonist who strikes repeatedly against a specific institution. He uses fire to settle grievances with the institution and to intimidate those associated with it
what does an institutional retaliation arsonist target
buildings housing institution
Who is defined as a group retaliation arsonist
someone who feels anger towards group or members collectively (race, religion, faternal gangs) rather than specific individuals. some terrorist activity defined under this and may be serial arsonists
Who do group retaliation arsonists target
Group HQ, churches, meeting place or symbolic targets regardless of to what they are attached
What is crime concealment motivated arson
Fire being set to cover up a murder, burgulary, fraud or to eliminate evidence left at the crime scene. Arson is a secondary crimincal activity. It can also be set to conceal embezzelment and many auto theft arson to destroy evidence
What percentage of fires is set for revenge? for fraud? for pyromania?
39, 28 and 19
What is civil unrest motivated arson
Fires set by activists, militant organizations, organized crime and may have started as peaceful demonstrations
What does civil unrest motivated arson result in
Multiple small or large fires, multiple injuries and potentially fatalities
Where does civil unrest motivated arson happen
anywhere - not confined to foreign countries. In the US its primarily race related
What is the profile of a serional arsonist
young, white (82%), male (94%)
prior felony arrests (2/3 have misdemeanors)
spent time in various institutions
considerably more juvenile
What is the fire setting behaviour of a serial arsonist like at the age of 19
many decrease or end fire activities around 19. but if they do continue after 19, they become more frequent offenders than their younger counterparts
What do serial arsonists target
familiar areas
What fire starting method do serial arsonists use
unsophisticated methods. they hse available materials (paper or gasoline as accelerant) and (matches or lighter as ignition source). over half of them leave items behind
how often do serial arsonists return to the scene of the crime
50 percent of the time - 97% of them within 24 hours
What is fire setting frequency and pattern and severity like for serial arsonists
The majority set only one fire in a location but some return to set new fires in the same place
Fire severity increases over time
Who has motives to set Arson for profits (other than the owner) and why
workers - to secure employment (security, police, fire fighters)
Salvagers - to get contracts to salvage goods or materials
Building contractors - to obtain new contracts for re building or building demolishing
Adjusters to secure contacts to adjust losses - insurance adjustors with owners or others to split profit