NCJ Number
83312
Date Published
1982
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This guide for identifying fires motivated by revenge includes target analysis, precursors of revenge fires, and comments on physical evidence.
Abstract
The revenge or spite motive is the prevalent arson motive. Targets for such fires may be individuals, groups, governmental agencies, or businesses. When the target is an individual, the property burned is usually the personal property of the target and has high value personally or monetarily. The property ignited may also be the building in which the target is thought to be or the vehicle the target is using. For groups, governmental agencies, and businesses, the property burned is usually the building where the target meets or conducts business. For localized individual targets, the materials used for ignition are usually available at the scene, and for mobile individuals or group targets, flammable liquids may be transported to the scene. Residual evidence can normally be found at the site of the fire. For juveniles, precursors of the revenge arson include previous firesetting behavior, truancy and rebellion, hyperactive or developmentally disabled, improper response to discipline, and poor relations with peers. For adults involved in revenge arson, precursors are financial problems, marital difficulties, love triangles, history of domestic quarrels, employment problems, or neighborhood spats. Tabular data are appended, and 11 bibliographic listings and 9 footnotes are provided.