Difference between revisions of "Arson" - New World Encyclopedia
m ({{Contracted}}) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Category:Politics and social sciences]] | [[Category:Politics and social sciences]] | ||
[[Category:Law]] | [[Category:Law]] | ||
| − | |||
| − | [[Image:Skyline Parkway Motel Burned.jpg|thumb|240px| | + | {{dablink|Arsonists redirects here. For the Bushwick, Brooklyn rap group, see: [[Arsonists (rap group)]].}} |
| − | '''Arson''' is the [[crime]] of setting a [[fire]] for an unlawful or improper purpose. | + | {{CrimLaw}} |
| + | [[Image:Skyline Parkway Motel Burned.jpg|thumb|240px|right|The Skyline Parkway Motel in [[Afton, Virginia]] after an arson fire on July 9, 2004.]] | ||
| + | '''Arson''' is the [[crime]] of willfully or maliciously setting a [[fire]] for an unlawful or improper purpose, often for monetary gain or as an act of vandalism. Arsonists set fires for a multitude of reasons, including vandalism, revenge, monetary gain, and mental illness. Investigating and proving arson as a cause of fire is a difficult process, and the arrest rate for arson is fairly low. | ||
| + | ==Statistics== | ||
| − | == | + | In 2005, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported over 67,500 arsons in the United States, with an average monetary loss of nearly $15,000 per incident.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/05cius/offenses/property_crime/arson.html |title=Arson - Crime in the United States |accessdate=November 21 |accessyear=2006 |publisher=Federal Bureau of Investigation}}</ref> The U.S. Fire Administration reported an estimated 31,500 intentionally set structure fires that resulted in 315 civilian deaths and $664,000,000 in property damage.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/statistics/arson/ |title=USFA Arson Fire Statistics |accessdate=November 21 |accessyear=2006 |publisher=U.S. Fire Administration}}</ref> |
| − | |||
| − | + | ==Motivations== | |
| − | + | *Malicious Vandalism | |
| + | The majority of arsonists are young, single males. Juveniles are responsible for approximately half of all arsons in the United States, most of which falls under the catagory of malicious vandalism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/mostread/s_470972.html |title=Arsonists start young |accessdate=November 27 |accessyear=2006 |date=September 17, 2006 |publisher=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |author=Biedka}}</ref> Often, arson fires started by juveniles are trivialized, particularly because juvenile arson often involves small grass or brush fires. However, firefighters and others can still be injured responding to open-air fires, property is often damaged, and such so-called "trivial" fire setting behavior commonly escalates to include unoccupied sheds, garages, and other structures. Fires set in vacant buildings pose a real danger to firefighters, who must aggressively attack such a blaze in case transient or homeless people are caught inside. | ||
| − | + | *Revenge | |
| + | Revenge and spite are often cited as motivations for arson. Jealousy, domestic quarrels, and feuds are some of the types of situations that can cause an arsonist to manifest his anger through the destruction of another's property. | ||
| − | + | *Monetary Gain | |
| + | Often, the purpose of arson is to provide the arsonist with some sort of monetary gain. The most well known example of this is insurance fraud, where a property owner sets fire to his own property in order to collect the insurance money. Another example is where a business owner uses arson to put a competitor out of business. Many commercial and vehicle arsons are profit motivated. | ||
| − | + | *Mental Illness | |
| + | The image of the mentally disturbed pyromaniac is a popular one in fiction and film. In actuality, pyromania, a [[Diagnostic_and_Statistical_Manual_of_Mental_Disorders|DSM]] [[Axis I]] classified mental illness characterized by a strong drive to set fires, only accounts for approximately three percent of arsons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/test1/|title=Arson |accessdate=November 27 |accessyear=2006 |date=October, 2006 |publisher=Insurance Information Institute}}</ref> Often, fire setting behavior may coexist with a psychiatric disability, but the disability may or may not have been a contributing factor in fire-setting behavior. Studies suggest that many arsonists, with and without mental illnesses, have a history of relationship and family problems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aic.gov.au/publications/bfab/bfab004.html |accessdate=November 27 |title=Motives for committing arson: part 1 - general arson |accessyear=2006 |date=December 21, 2004|publisher=Australian Institute of Criminology}}</ref> Arsonists are often at least partly influence by a personality disorder, some traits of which may include: emotional coldness, paranoia, the need to be the center of attention, and an antisocial disregard for the safety of self or others. Some arsonists set fires that allow them to appear as heroes, rescuing endangered people or extinguishing the fire themselves. Ironically, there have been cases of fires intentionally set by firefighters, who then report it and attempt to appear the hero by fighting a fire that they intentionally set. | ||
| − | + | *Crime Concealment | |
| + | Arson may be used to cover up evidence of a previous crime, such as murder or burglary. | ||
| + | |||
| + | *Political Protest | ||
| + | Arson has also been used as an extremist attempt to further political goals and support activist causes. From 1996 to 2001, a series of arsons were claimed by the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front. In Stockholm, Sweden, arson was used to protest a new, traffic related congestion tax.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelocal.se/article.php?ID=2784&date=20060103 |accessdate=November 27 |title="Quiet start" for Stockholm congestion charge |accessyear=2006 |date=January 3, 2006 |publisher=The Local}}</ref> Arson has been used to attack abortion clinics, as well as political headquarters. While arson may result in headlines and news coverage, it often does more harm than good for the causes the arsonists purport to care so deeply about. Enviromental activists suffer the stigma of radical arson and other destructive acts, even when the vast majority work to change the world through peaceful means. | ||
==Arson investigation== | ==Arson investigation== | ||
| − | A [[forensic]] science, [[fire investigation]] seeks to determine a fire’s [[origin and cause]]. During a fire investigation, | + | A [[forensic]] science, [[fire investigation]] seeks to determine a fire’s [[origin and cause]]. During a fire investigation, the investigator tries to uncover the source and path of the fire, using clues such as burn patterns. The presence of an [[accelerant]] or ignitable liquid such as a [[petroleum]] [[distillate]] where it should not be can indicate an incendiary fire or arson. Specially trained [[dogs]], known as accelerant detection canines, help investigators detect trace amounts of accelerants that escape detection with electronic devices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.workingdogs.com/doc0130.htm |accessdate=November 27 |title=Arson Dogs |accessyear=2006 |author=Andersson |date=1997 |publisher=Wildland Firefighter Magazine}}</ref> Areas suspected to contain ignitable liquids are collected and sent to [[forensic]] laboratories to be examined, using techniques such as [[Gas-liquid chromatography]] and [[Mass spectrometry]]. |
| − | + | Unfortunately, arson is one of the most difficult crimes to solve. Arrests are only made in less than twenty five percent of arson cases. | |
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | + | ==See also== | |
| + | * [[Incendiary]] | ||
| + | * [[Fire investigation]] | ||
| + | * [[Pyromania]] | ||
| + | * [[Reckless burning]] | ||
| + | * [[ATF Fire Research Laboratory]] | ||
| − | + | == Notes == | |
| + | <references/> | ||
| − | |||
{{Credit1|Arson|87713214|}} | {{Credit1|Arson|87713214|}} | ||
Revision as of 13:39, 29 November 2006
- Arsonists redirects here. For the Bushwick, Brooklyn rap group, see: Arsonists (rap group).
Template:CrimLaw
Arson is the crime of willfully or maliciously setting a fire for an unlawful or improper purpose, often for monetary gain or as an act of vandalism. Arsonists set fires for a multitude of reasons, including vandalism, revenge, monetary gain, and mental illness. Investigating and proving arson as a cause of fire is a difficult process, and the arrest rate for arson is fairly low.
Statistics
In 2005, the Federal Bureau of Investigation reported over 67,500 arsons in the United States, with an average monetary loss of nearly $15,000 per incident.[1] The U.S. Fire Administration reported an estimated 31,500 intentionally set structure fires that resulted in 315 civilian deaths and $664,000,000 in property damage.[2]
Motivations
- Malicious Vandalism
The majority of arsonists are young, single males. Juveniles are responsible for approximately half of all arsons in the United States, most of which falls under the catagory of malicious vandalism.[3] Often, arson fires started by juveniles are trivialized, particularly because juvenile arson often involves small grass or brush fires. However, firefighters and others can still be injured responding to open-air fires, property is often damaged, and such so-called "trivial" fire setting behavior commonly escalates to include unoccupied sheds, garages, and other structures. Fires set in vacant buildings pose a real danger to firefighters, who must aggressively attack such a blaze in case transient or homeless people are caught inside.
- Revenge
Revenge and spite are often cited as motivations for arson. Jealousy, domestic quarrels, and feuds are some of the types of situations that can cause an arsonist to manifest his anger through the destruction of another's property.
- Monetary Gain
Often, the purpose of arson is to provide the arsonist with some sort of monetary gain. The most well known example of this is insurance fraud, where a property owner sets fire to his own property in order to collect the insurance money. Another example is where a business owner uses arson to put a competitor out of business. Many commercial and vehicle arsons are profit motivated.
- Mental Illness
The image of the mentally disturbed pyromaniac is a popular one in fiction and film. In actuality, pyromania, a DSM Axis I classified mental illness characterized by a strong drive to set fires, only accounts for approximately three percent of arsons.[4] Often, fire setting behavior may coexist with a psychiatric disability, but the disability may or may not have been a contributing factor in fire-setting behavior. Studies suggest that many arsonists, with and without mental illnesses, have a history of relationship and family problems.[5] Arsonists are often at least partly influence by a personality disorder, some traits of which may include: emotional coldness, paranoia, the need to be the center of attention, and an antisocial disregard for the safety of self or others. Some arsonists set fires that allow them to appear as heroes, rescuing endangered people or extinguishing the fire themselves. Ironically, there have been cases of fires intentionally set by firefighters, who then report it and attempt to appear the hero by fighting a fire that they intentionally set.
- Crime Concealment
Arson may be used to cover up evidence of a previous crime, such as murder or burglary.
- Political Protest
Arson has also been used as an extremist attempt to further political goals and support activist causes. From 1996 to 2001, a series of arsons were claimed by the Earth Liberation Front and the Animal Liberation Front. In Stockholm, Sweden, arson was used to protest a new, traffic related congestion tax.[6] Arson has been used to attack abortion clinics, as well as political headquarters. While arson may result in headlines and news coverage, it often does more harm than good for the causes the arsonists purport to care so deeply about. Enviromental activists suffer the stigma of radical arson and other destructive acts, even when the vast majority work to change the world through peaceful means.
Arson investigation
A forensic science, fire investigation seeks to determine a fire’s origin and cause. During a fire investigation, the investigator tries to uncover the source and path of the fire, using clues such as burn patterns. The presence of an accelerant or ignitable liquid such as a petroleum distillate where it should not be can indicate an incendiary fire or arson. Specially trained dogs, known as accelerant detection canines, help investigators detect trace amounts of accelerants that escape detection with electronic devices.[7] Areas suspected to contain ignitable liquids are collected and sent to forensic laboratories to be examined, using techniques such as Gas-liquid chromatography and Mass spectrometry.
Unfortunately, arson is one of the most difficult crimes to solve. Arrests are only made in less than twenty five percent of arson cases.
See also
- Incendiary
- Fire investigation
- Pyromania
- Reckless burning
- ATF Fire Research Laboratory
Notes
- ↑ Arson - Crime in the United States. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved November 21, 2006.
- ↑ USFA Arson Fire Statistics. U.S. Fire Administration. Retrieved November 21, 2006.
- ↑ Biedka (September 17, 2006). Arsonists start young. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved November 27, 2006.
- ↑ Arson. Insurance Information Institute (October, 2006). Retrieved November 27, 2006.
- ↑ Motives for committing arson: part 1 - general arson. Australian Institute of Criminology (December 21, 2004). Retrieved November 27, 2006.
- ↑ "Quiet start" for Stockholm congestion charge. The Local (January 3, 2006). Retrieved November 27, 2006.
- ↑ Andersson (1997). Arson Dogs. Wildland Firefighter Magazine. Retrieved November 27, 2006.
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
