NCJ Number
56628
Date Published
1977
Length
252 pages
Annotation
A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF BOMBING AND ARSON CRIMES, THIS BOOK EXPLORES SUBJECTS SUCH AS BOMBS AND THEIR EFFECTS, ARSONISTS AND BOMBERS AND THEIR MOTIVES, VICTIMS AND TARGETS OF THESE CRIMES, AND BOMB THREATS AND DISPOSAL.
Abstract
SIMILARITIES OCCUR IN ARSON AND BOMBING INCIDENTS--THEY ARE OFTEN MOTIVATED BY ANGER, HATRED, REVENGE, ENVY, POLITICAL BELIEFS, JEALOUSY, OR DESIRE FOR FINANCIAL GAIN OR RECOGNITION; THEY ARE LIKELY TO BE COMMITTED BY COMPULSIVE OFFENDERS WHO RETURN TO THE SCENE TO WATCH THE EFFECTS OF THEIR WORK; AND THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO INVESTIGATE SINCE EVIDENCE IS USUALLY DESTROYED. THIS VOLUME DEALS WITH BOTH IN TURN, BEGINNING WITH DISCUSSIONS OF BOMB TYPES, INCENDIARY MATERIALS, TRIGGERING METHODS, BOMB MANUFACTURE, TRANSPORTATION AND PLACEMENT OF BOMBS, AND BOMBS' EFFECTS. THE PSYCHOLOGY OF VARIOUS TYPES OF BOMBERS IS EXPLORED NEXT, INCLUDING THE COMPULSIVE BOMBER WHO BOMBS OUT OF NEED FOR EXCITEMENT, THE PSYCHOTIC BOMBER WHO FEELS PERSECUTED OR PARANOIC, AND THE SOCIOPATHIC BOMBER WHO IS LEGALLY SANE BUT LACKS MORAL JUDGMENT AND GUILT FEELINGS. SPECIAL ATTENTION IS GIVEN THE URBAN GUERRILLA AND THE BOMBING CAMPAIGNS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, AND A PSYCHIATRIC STUDY OF AN AIRPLANE BOMBER IS PRESENTED. THE MATERIAL IN THESE CHAPTERS IS DERIVED IN PART FROM BOMBERS' PERSONAL ACCOUNTS OF THEIR CRIMES AND FOCUSES ON THEIR MOTIVATION. TYPICAL VICTIMS AND TARGETS OF BOMBS ARE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED AND INCLUDE BOMBERS THEMSELVES AND THEIR FRIENDS AND RELATIVES, WHO MAY OR MAY NOT BE ACCIDENTAL VICTIMS, GOVERNMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN BOMB DISPOSAL FUNCTIONS, AND CITIZENS WHO FIND SUSPICIOUS EXPLOSIVE DEVICES. GENERAL INFORMATION IS PRESENTED ON BOMB DISPOSAL, INSTRUCTING LAY READERS ON WHAT TO DO IF A BOMB IS DISCOVERED AND WHAT PROCEDURES PROFESSIONAL BOMB DISPOSAL UNITS USE TO APPROACH, HANDLE, AND DISPOSE OF A BOMB AND REACT TO A BOMB THREAT. THE ARSON SECTION COVERS SIMILAR SUBJECTS--ARSONISTS' TOOLS, TYPES OF FIRE SETTERS, FIRE SETTING MOTIVATIONS, AND ARSON VICTIMS--AND PRESENTS A CASE HISTORY OF A PSYCHOPATHIC FIRE SETTER. THE FINAL SECTIONS DEAL WITH CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS OF ARSON AND BOMBINGS, AND DISCUSS EVIDENCE AT THE CRIME SCENE, EVIDENCE INTERPRETATION, AND ARSON AND BOMBING CONVICTIONS. SECURITY MEASURES BEING TAKEN IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS, PARTICULARLY NORTHERN IRELAND, TO PREVENT BOMBINGS ARE COVERED. AN INDEX AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)