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Home , Arson

Investigation Summary

Definition:

o Arson: The of maliciously and intentionally, or recklessly, starting a or causing an explosion. o Arson is a crime committed by a majority of individuals who use the fire to harm, or destroy life, or . Some of the individuals who commit arson either have a long record of criminal activity, or a mental capacity to do harm. o The process of investigating arson is no different then the investigation of any felony crime in that you have to establish first that a crime has been committed, collect to prove your case, interview suspects and build a case that may send them to jail. o There are several reasons why people commit arson. Whether for spite, revenge, profit, or , they want to send a message and cover up evidence that they think will be consumed by the fire.

STATISTICS:

• National Statistics for 2004 o Number of taken from 2004 NFPA survey - 1,550,500 o 3,900 civilian deaths o 17,785 civilian injuries o 36,500 intentionally set structure fires - a 2.7% increase. o Intentionally set structure fires resulted in 320 civilian deaths - a 4.9% increase. o $714,000,000 in structure property loss - an increase of 3.2%. o 36,000 intentionally set vehicle fires occurred - an increase of 18.0%, causing $165,000,000 in - an increase of 25.0%.

REGIONAL STATISTICS:

Arson Fire Statistics for Kansas 2003 – 2004

Year #Fires $Loss F/S Dth Civ Dth F/S Inj Civ Inj All Fires 2003 17616 87,641,061 0 55 137 247 2004 14499 97,685,301 0 53 135 206 Arson 2003 1540 6,115,831 0 2 20 14 2004 1322 8,706,080 0 4 17 11

LOCAL STATISTICS OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS:

• Number of fires investigated by Overland Park Fire Investigation team members is 372. • Number of suspected, or arson fires - 88 which is 24 % of all fires in Overland Park. • Number of undetermined fires - 86, also 24% of all fires in Overland Park.

SUMMARY:

• Two of the that occurred in Overland Park have been associated with an arson fire. • We have had the crime of arson committed against our citizens, to their vehicles, and their physical bodies due to variety of reasons including the following: o Drug related o Angry spouses, ex-husbands/boyfriends o Crime concealment (murder, vehicle , ) o Revenge o Profit

There is the ever present mind set by people that they will be able to collect the insurance check for a house or vehicle they could not afford, or have funds available to remodel or maintain.

The investigation process and follow-up may take the investigator into arenas outside the fire ground and into locations that could possible put them into dangerous situations. We work closely with the Police Department. Due to necessary follow up and interviews needed to build the case against potential suspects, both police and fire personnel could be in the middle of situations that have the potential of going bad at any given moment.