NCJ Number
53942
Date Published
1976
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS SLIDE SHOW PRESENTATION ON ARSON DESCRIBES THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE CRIME AND THE OBSTACLES TO ARSON CONVICTION. IT SUGGESTS MEASURES TO PREVENT ARSON AND TO IMPROVE ARSON CONVICTION RATES.
Abstract
THE CRIME OF ARSON HAS NOT TRADITIONALLY BEEN TREATED AS A FIRST CLASS CRIME (IT WAS A UNIFORM CRIME INDEX PART 2 CRIME), BUT EVIDENCE SHOWS THAT ARSON LOSSES ALONE ARE GREATER THAN THE COMBINED ECONOMIC LOSSES CAUSED BY ALL OTHER CRIMES OF VIOLENCE, THAT ARSON IS THE FASTEST GROWING CRIME IN THE NATION, AND THAT ARSON OFTEN RESULTS IN PERSONAL INJURIES AND DEATH. FIRES ALSO HAVE INDIRECT EFFECTS; THEY CAUSE BLIGHTED NEIGHBORHOODS AND REDUCED PROPERTY VALUES, COST COMMUNITIES LOSS OF TAX DOLLARS FROM THE DESTROYED BUSINESSES, DRIVE UP INSURANCE RATES, PUSH UP PROPERTY TAXES NEEDED TO SUPPORT EXPANDED FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES, AND SOMETIMES RESULT IN LOSS OF JOBS AND INCOME FOR EMPLOYEES OF DESTROYED BUSINESSES. MOST SUSPICIOUS FIRES ARE NOT ADEQUATELY INVESTIGATED AND DISAGREEMENT EXISTS AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, AND INSURANCE COMPANIES OVER INVESTIGATION RESPONSIBILITIES. A CONSEQUENCE OF THIS LACK OF COORDINATION IS HURRIED INVESTIGATIONS WHICH DEVELOP NO SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE TO PROSECUTE ARSONISTS. CONVICTIONS ARE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN SINCE PHYSICAL AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE LINKING THE ACCUSED WITH THE FIRE IS SELDOM STRONG ENOUGH TO ESTABLISH GUILT BEYOUND A REASONABLE DOUBT. SUGGESTED PREVENTION MEASURES INCLUDE STRENGTHENING HOME AND BUSINESS SECURITY DEVICES TO KEEP OUT VANDALS, REMOVING FLAMMABLE MATERIAL FROM REFUSE AND STORAGE AREAS, REPORTING SUSPICIOUS PERSONS OR ACTIVITY TO POLICE, CONTACTING LEGISLATORS AND LETTING THEM KNOW THAT CITIZENS WANT STRONGER ANTIARSON LAWS, AND ORGANIZING ARSON PREVENTION COMMUNITY PROGRAMS. (DAG)