1994:
NCJRS Abstract - National Criminal Justice Reference Service
NCJ Number: 149950
PDF
Author(s): A D Sapp; T G Huff; G P Gary; D J Icove; P Horbert
Date Published: 1994
Annotation: This study was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) to assess the extent of serial arson in the United States.
Abstract: Serial arson was defined as an offense committed by firesetters who set three or more fires with a significant cooling-off period between fires. Data were obtained on attributes, characteristics, motives, and life history patterns of 83 serial arsonists who agreed to participate in the study. A sample of 42 subjects representing one eastern and one western State was interviewed during the 1978-1980 period, while a second sample of 41 subjects in several different State correctional systems was interviewed during the 1990-1992 period. Records of nearly 1,000 incarcerated arsonists were also reviewed. Findings revealed that most serial arsonists were young white males; 58.7 percent of fires were set by offenders before 18 years of age, and 79.7 percent were set before 29 years of age. Overall marital adjustment and life histories of serial arsonists were poor, suggesting that they lacked stability in interpersonal relationships. The average educational level of serial arsonists was 10th grade, 71 percent reported prior felony arrests, and over half reported significant medical histories. Only about one-third had regular occupations, and none were employed in professional positions. The family situation for most serial arsonists was either comfortable or at least self-sufficient. Serial arsonists noted that relationships with their mothers and fathers were often cold, distant, hostile, or aggressive. No discernible patterns were observed in the overall target selection of serial arsonists, accomplices were involved in 20.3 percent of arson cases, nearly all serial arsonists used unsophisticated methods to set fires, and about one-third remained at the scene after setting the fire. The majority of serial arsonists set only one fire in a location. Nearly half the sample used alcohol before setting fires. The most common motive for setting fires was revenge, followed by excitement, vandalism, profit, and other crime concealment.
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1987:
NCJRS Abstract - National Criminal Justice Reference Service
Title: Motive-Based Offender Profiles of Arson and Fire Related Crimes
URL(s): PDF
Journal: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume:56 Issue:4 Dated
April 1987) Pages:17-23
Author(s): D J Icove; M H Estepp
Date Published: 1987
Annotation: Research by the FBI using data from arson cases in Prince George's County, Md., has produced profiles of the different types and motivations of offenders involved in arson and other fire-related crimes.
Abstract: The data base consists of 1,016 interviews (conducted by fire department staff) of juveniles and adults, most of whom were arrested between 1980 and 1984. The offenses included 504 arrests for arson; 303 for malicious false alarms; 159 for violations of laws related to fireworks, explosives, or bombings; and 50 for miscellaneous offenses. Computer-assisted analysis by the FBI's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime has developed statistically significant offender profiles based on the motive for the crime. The motives included vandalism (49 percent), excitement (25 percent), revenge (14 percent), other (8 percent), crime concealment (2 percent), and profit (1 percent). Juveniles generally committed crimes for excitement and vandalism, while adults tended to commit offenses for revenge or crime concealment. The majority of offenders were males. However, females committed many offenses to seek revenge. The use of alcohol, drugs, or both appeared to loosen an offender's inhibitions at the crime scene. Offenders often lived close to the crime scene, were accompanied by other persons, and returned to the crime scene later. The FBI and the county fire department plan to continue the research effort, which is using the most comprehensive data base available for these types of offenses. Data tables, photographs, and 12 footnotes.
