Chapter 11: Crimes Against Property: Burglary, Arson, Trespass & Others

Question 1

Categories of Burglars

Professionals

Answer 1

Experienced and skilled, usually career criminals who focus on high value targets

Question 2

Categories of Burglars

Known to Police

Answer 2

Known to police due to previous arrests and not as experienced or successful as professionals

Question 3

Categories of Burglars

Late-teenagers or in their early 20’s

Answer 3

They don’t prepare as well as the professionals or the known to police burglars

Question 4

Categories of Burglars

Juveniles

Answer 4

Those who are under the age of 16 - 18, they stick to their local neighborhoods and may team up with an older, more experienced burglar

Question 5

Categories of Burglars

Drug Addicted

Answer 5

Poorly organized, opportunistic in nature, sloppy and tent to act quickly in order to satisfy their drug habit

Question 6

Criminal Trespass

Answer 6

When knowing that he or she is not privileged or licensed to do so, he or she enters or remains in any place as to which notice against trespass has been given by:

Real or actual communication to the trespassing person

Signage posting that is in accordance with law and that would reasonably be likely to come to the attention of trespassers

Enclosures, fencing or other measures that are designed to keep out trespassers.

Question 7

Elements of Common Law Arson

Answer 7

1. The fire had to be in or near a dwelling, not a commercial structure.
2. The dwelling had to be in the possession (owned or rented) of another. No one could be convicted of burning his or her own home.
3. The structure itself had to be burned. Merely burning the contents was not arson.
4. The burning had to be malicious.

Question 8

Types of Arson

Vandalism arson

Answer 8

Usually done to damage property and/or demonstrate hatred towards a particular individual or group. Typically committed by juveniles and in some cases could be a requirement for a gang-initiation. Generally there is no intention to cause injury

Question 9

Types of Arson

Thrill seeking

Answer 9

Fires that are set because the accused is bored and wants some excitement.

Question 10

Types of Arson

Concealment of a Crime

Answer 10

The intention is to conceal another crime by burning the structure where the crime was committed and to destroy any evidence that may be found

Question 11

Types of Arson

Profit

Answer 11

The intention to burn property in an effort to collect money from insurance companies. Usually involves cars, homes, small business, etc.

Question 12

Types of Arson

Revenge arson

Answer 12

The motivation is the desire to seek retribution on someone else. Usually this is directed at a spouse, significant other, employer or a former employer.

Question 13

Types of Arson

Attention Seeking

Answer 13

Committed by someone seeking attention, someone with a “hero complex”. Not unusual for some volunteer firefighters to be in this category.

Question 14

Types of Arson

Politics

Answer 14

Fires that are set for a political purpose or to make a political statement, occurs during political riots.

Question 15

Types of Arson

Mental Illness

Answer 15

No direct motive with the exception of experiencing the rush of feelings that can result from setting a fire and watching it burn. These are typically impulsive behaviors and are typical of serial arsonists.

Question 16

8 Characteristics of Serial Arsonists

Answer 16

1. The typical offender in this category is male 84% of the time.
2. The age is generally younger. 50% of arson cases are under 18, and 31% under 15.
3. The arsonist tends to be a loner, but a secondary party may have knowledge of his activities.
4. Arsonists tend to be minimally educated and an underachievers. He or she generally has poor interpersonal relationships and is socially inadequate.
5. Often he or she is unemployed and if the arsonist has an employment history it is erratic and involves little or no skill.
6. Have a history of substance abuse.
7. History of police contact/arrests for minor nuisance offenses.
8. Lives near the scene of the crime. The offender walks to the scene of the fire and generally lives within one mile of the crime scene. He is very likely familiar with the crime scene and could justify his presence in the area. It is important to analyze the cluster centers of fire activity. The tighter the cluster the closer to the area of significance to the offender.

Question 17

5 Typical Characteristics of Teen Fire Starters

Answer 17

1. Low impulse control
2. Lack of supervision
3. Poor coping skills, lack problem solving skills and are unable to express or identify with feelings.
4. Has experienced a recent crisis or trauma.
5. They show a lack of appropriate remorse after setting a fire and will often deny or lie about the cause of the fire.

Question 18

In the video on burglary elements, which of the following are the main differences between the common law version and the modern version? (there can be more than one correct answer)

Answer 18

At night time

Question 19

According to the FBI Crime Clock 2017, a burglary occurs in the United States every:

Answer 19

22.6 seconds

Question 20

Using the FBI Uniform Crime Report - Burglary link, how much currency was reported stolen in 2018? (Use table 24)

Answer 20

1,624,262,633

Question 21

Using the FBI Uniform Crime Report - Burglary link, what was the numerical difference in total burglaries reported for all agencies between 2017 and 2018 (table 12)

Answer 21

-158,865

Question 22

According to the arson for profit video, in the case of the fire set by Larry Elliot, how points of origin were there?

Answer 22

10

Question 23

According to the video on serial arsonists, which one used a slingshot to help set fires?

Answer 23

Raymond Lee Oyler

Question 24

According to the video on serial arsonist, which one was held responsible for the deaths of the most people?

Answer 24

Peter Dinsdale