Types of Arson Arson Definition Arson is the crime of maliciously, voluntarily, and wilfully setting fire to the building, buildings, or other property of another, or of burning one's own property for an improper purpose, such as to collect insurance. CHAPTER XXV: CRIMINAL OFFENCES AGAINST THE GENERAL SECURITY OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY • Article 291(Causing General Danger) • (1) Whoever, by using fire, flood, weapons, explosives, poison or poisonous gas, ionizing radiation, mechanical power, electrical power or any other kind of energy causes great danger to human life or to property of substantial value, shall be punished by imprisonment of three months to three years. CHAPTER XXV: Article 296 (Failure to Avoid Danger) • (1) Whoever fails to take measures to avoid fire, flood, explosion, traffic disasters or any other danger to human life or physical safety or property on a large scale by the timely notification of a competent authority or in some other way, even though he or she could have done so without endangering himself, herself or another person, shall be punished by a fine or by imprisonment of up to one year. • Types of Arson • There are basically six different types of arson. • Defining each type depends on the frequency and the location of the crimes. • The different types are: 1. Single, 2. Double, 3. Triple, 4. Mass, 5. Serial, 6. Spree. Types of Arson • The first three types describe a single fire set at either one, two or three locations, with no cooling off period. • The characteristics of the others are: Mass: Three or more fires set at the same time in the same location. Spree: Three or more fires set at different locations, but with no cooling off period between. Serial: Three or more fires set at different locations, with a period of time passing between them. Motives for Arson • Typically there are 6 principle motives 1. Vandalism: When the goal is to mischievously or maliciously harm property, typically abandoned buildings or schools. 2. Excitement: When a fire is set to gain attention or get a rush, or, sometimes, sexual gratification. A common example of excitement-motivated arson occurs when a fire is set so that the arsonist can then act as a hero by calling fire-fighters or helping to put the fire out. Motives for Arson (cont) 3. Revenge: When a fire is set in a malicious attempt to right a wrong, whether the offense is real or imagined. This type of fire is sometimes fuelled by other motives as well. It is divided into four subgroups: – Personal (target is an individual), – Societal (grievance is with society as a whole), – Institutional (targeting an established organization, like the military, as a whole) and – Group (targeting members of a group, often striking against their meeting place). Motives for Arson (cont) 4. Crime-Concealment When arson is secondary to a crime that has already taken place, and the fire is set to destroy evidence. 5. Profit: When a fire is set to make money either directly, such as through insurance, or indirectly, through jobs created in putting out the fire or rebuilding afterward. 6. Extremism: When a fire is set to promote a viewpoint. Examples of targets are homes of minority groups or places of worship. Possible Profile of an Arsonist • Usually male under the age of 27 years. Most serial arsonists had a history of prior crimes, usually serious crimes. Most have average or above-average intelligence although the majority have only a secondary school education or less. Most exhibit difficulties in their personal relationships or with socialization. • Approx 1 in 4 have a history of self harming on more than one occasion and approx 1 in 2 have a history of psychological or psychiatric problems. 1 in 3 report that they do not have a warm or close relationships with their parents, though 1 in 2 come from homes with both parents present. Possible behaviour of an Arsonist • More than half of the arsonists chose to observe the blaze after it was set, either from the scene or at a nearby location. • Most arsonist report that they did not think about being caught when setting the fires, or thought it was unlikely that they would be caught. • Most were arrested through diligent police work, but 15% surrendered and confessed their crimes. Questions .