NCJ Number
67737
Date Published
1979
Length
43 pages
Annotation
PROCEEDINGS OF A NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ARSON MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, TOOLS FOR PREDICTING AND PREVENTING ARSON-FOR-PROFIT, ARE RECORDED.
Abstract
THE CONFERENCE WAS ORGANIZED BY THE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATION AS AN INITIAL STEP IN IMPLEMENTING ARSON MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS NATIONWIDE. THE PURPOSE OF THESE SYSTEMS IS TO COLLECT, ANALYZE, AND MANAGE DATA SUCH AS BUILDING CODE VIOLATIONS, MARKET VERSUS PAPER VALUES OF PROPERTIES, SALES AND RESALES, AND FIRE RECORDS, WHICH CAN PROVIDE AN EARLY WARNING OF ARSON-FOR-PROFIT. THE CONFERENCE REPORT SUMMARIZES PARTICIPANTS' CONCLUSIONS IN 10 AREAS: QUALITY OF INFORMATION; USE OF INFOMATION SYSTEMS; PRIVATE-PUBLIC SECTOR COOPERATION; COMMUNICATION AMONG PUBLIC AGENCIES; DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION; TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE; TRAINING; OBSTACLES TO LOCAL IMPLEMENTATION OF ARSON INFORMATION SYSTEMS; LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL ROLES; AND PRIORITIES FOR FEDERAL SUPPORT. ALSO INCLUDED ARE SYNOPSES OF SIX SPEAKERS' PRESENTATIONS ON THE PROPERTY INSURANCE LOSS REGISTER OF THE AMERICAN INSURANCE ASSOCIATION; LEAA ARSON-RELATED ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING THE COMPREHENSIVE CAREER CRIMINAL PROGRAM; RESEARCH ON ARSON PATTERN RECOGNITION AND USE OF PATTERN RECOGNITION TECHNIQUES BY THE OHIO STATE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE; THE INVOLVEMENT OF ORGANIZED CRIME IN ARSON-FOR-PROFIT; AND ARSON EARLY WARNING SYSTEM PROJECTS AND STUDIES IN NEW HAVEN, CONN., AND BOSTON. A LIST OF CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS IS PROVIDED.