CHAPTER 6 Criminal Investigative Analysis: Arson Introductory Criminal Analysis: Crime Prevention and Intervention Strategies CHAPTER 6 Criminal Investigative Analysis: Arson PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Introduction One of the oldest crimes known to man, arson has been practiced since after the discovery of fire. Warren G. Woodfork PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Arson Investigation: Classification Natural Accidental Incendiary Suspicious Unknown PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Must prove corpus delicti: Crime of Arson Must prove corpus delicti: Body of the crime Prove every legal element of offense Arson PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Common Law Legal Requirements of Arson Willing and malicious burning Of a dwelling house Burning of a building within the curtilage Malice and willfulness mean deliberately without justification or or excuse. PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Three Basic Types of Arson Serial Mass Spree PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Criminal Investigative Analysis Resolution of arson cases Links to offender Examination of nonphysical evidence Information flow PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

FBI Crime Scene Arson Personalities Organized Disorganized PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Arsonist Motivation Excitement Revenge Profit Vandalism Crime concealment Extremist PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Exceptions and Mixed Motivation Possible combinations to presented typologies Remain flexible Open to exceptions Motivation may change or evolve PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Serial Arsonist: General Typology Those who persist after age 19 become more frequent offenders Prior felony and misdemeanor arrests Juvenile Male Caucasian Incarcerated in local and state institutions PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Field Trip http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/destroyed-in-seconds-arson-blast.html PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Vandalism-Motivated Arsonists Combination of motivations Motivated by vandalism Malicious mischief Excitement PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Excitement-Motivated: General Typology Payoff comes when fire engines and crowd gather Seeking thrills Attention Recognition PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Excitement- Motivated Arsonist Sub-classifications Excitement-thrills Excitement-attention Excitement-recognition PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Revenge-Motivated: General Typology Seeks retribution Revenge common motive Has grudge PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Revenge-Motivated: Four Sub-classifications Group-retaliation Societal-retaliation Institutional-retaliation Personal revenge PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Extremist-Motivated Arsonist Impose doctrine on others Social, political Religious dogma Extremist values PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Crime-Concealment Arsonists Burglary, auto theft, fraudulent business records Coverup primary crime Find opportunity to coverup crime Murder Arson is secondary or collateral criminal activity PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Profit-Oriented Arsonist Destroying unprofitable inventory Property liquidation Monetary gain Insurance fraud Dissolving a business PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Defraud insurance companies Professional-Torch Defraud insurance companies Enterprise organized crime Increases in down economy Co- conspirators PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

May be rare or nonexistent Pyromania DSM-IV: impulse control disorder Impulse, drive, temptation To harm a person May be rare or nonexistent PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Arson Equation Arson + Circumstantial Evidence =Conviction PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker

Successful Arson Investigations Conclusion Successful Arson Investigations Highest priority Early intervention Critical to community safety PRENTICE HALL ©2005 Pearson Education, Inc. Introductory Criminal Analysis Thomas E. Baker