NCJ Number
67274
Date Published
1978
Length
411 pages
Annotation
REPORTS AND TESTIMONIES ARE PRESENTED AS THEY WERE PREPARED FOR SENATE HEARINGS REGARDING THE CRIME OF ARSON FOR PROFIT.
Abstract
REPRESENTATIVES OF STATE GOVERNMENTS AND FEDERAL ORGANIZATIONS OUTLINE THE STATISTICS THAT, AT LEAST SKETCHILY, PORTRAY THE DRAMATIC INCREASE IN ARSON THAT HAS OCCURRED OVER THE LAST DECADE. FIRE MARSHALS, A CHAIR OF THE ARSON COMMITTEE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS, AND AN ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION AND CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION REVIEW THE ARSON PROBLEMS THAT HAVE ARISEN, BOTH FROM A LACK OF PREVENTION AND FROM THE DIFFICULTIES IN DETECTING, INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING THE CRIME. TESTIMONIES OFFER ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST THE PASSING OF SENATE BILL 1882 RECLASSIFYING ARSON AS A PART I CRIME. LEADERS IN THE FIELD OF ARSON INVESTIGATION DESCRIBE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS TO BEGIN COMBATING ARSON, SUCH AS SEATTLE'S TASK FORCE PROGRAM. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INTERAGENCY COOPERATION, INFORMATION ANALYSIS AND DISSEMINATION CENTERS, AND ADVANCED TRAINING FOR INVESTIGATORS ARE SET FORTH. ATTENTION IS GIVEN TO THE NEED FOR IMPROVED FORENSIC LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES, AND FOR COMMUNICATION NATIONWIDE ABOUT THE NEWEST AND BEST PROCEDURES FOR STUDYING ARSON EVIDENCE. REPRESENTATIVES OF INSURANCE AGENCIES, BOTH AS LOCAL AND AS NATIONAL COLLECTIVES, PRESENT THEIR STATEMENTS. CRITICISM IS GIVEN AND SUPPORT RECEIVED FOR THE FEDERAL FAIR ACCESS TO INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS (FAIR) PLANS. THE TEXT OF A CBS REPORTS TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY IS REPRINTED, ALONG WITH LETTERS FROM THE HEADS OF THE FBI, OF THE OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS. ALSO, TWO TWO OTHER NEWS RELEASES ARE PROVIDED. (MHP)