TENNESSEE STATEWIDE ARSON PATTERN RECOGNITION SYSTEM (FROM INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CRIME COUNTERMEASURES SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, PROCEEDINGS, 1977, BY JOHN S JACKSON - SEE NCJ-56184)

• NCJ Number: 56200
• Author(s): D J COVE; E HARTSOOK; R F KRONICK
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Ores Publications
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE REPORTS THE APPLICATION OF PATTERN RECOGNITION CONCEPTS TO EFFORTS IN ARSON PREVENTION. A STATEWIDE APPROACH TO ARSON PREDICTION, INVESTIGATION, AND RECORDS HANDLING WAS EFFECTIVE IN TENNESSEE.

Abstract

TO COMBAT A RAPIDLY INCREASING RATE OF ARSON, THE TENNESSEE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE DEVELOPED THE TENNESSEE STATE ARSON PATTERN RECOGNITION SYSTEM (TSAPRS). INVESTIGATORS PROBED 1,590 SUSPICIOUS FIRE CASES IN 1976 AND DETERMINED THAT 665 WERE CASES OF ARSON. THE TSAPR SYSTEM USED BY THE INVESTIGATORS EMPLOYED COMPUTER-ASSISTED ANALYSIS OF CRIME DATA TAKEN FROM FIELD REPORTS. USING HISTORICAL DATA AND LOGICAL ASSOCIATIONS, THE SYSTEM DETERMINED TRENDS AND PATTERNS. PREDICTIONS MADE BY THE TSAPR SYSTEM AIDED IN THE ASSIGNMENT OF INVESTIGATORS FOR PATROL AND SURVEILLANCE IN AREAS OF POTENTIAL ARSON. NOTED ARE EXAMPLES OF SUCCESSFULLY USING THE SYSTEM TO CONVICT VOLUNTEER FIREMEN FOR ARSON, AND DISCOVERING AN ORGANIZED THEFT OPERATION WHICH BURNED STOLEN CARS. TRANSFERABILITY OF INFORMATION TO STATEWIDE DATA SYSTEMS AND TO THE NATIONAL FIRE DATA SYSTEM WAS DEVELOPED. FURTHER REFINEMENT OF THE SYSTEM INCLUDED ADDING MINICOMPUTERS AND REMOTE TELEPRINTERS AND USING COMPUTER-GENERATED MAPS. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE EXPANDING THE ARSON PATTERN RECOGNITION SYSTEM TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL, AND ESTABLISHING COMPUTER TRAINING SEMINARS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE NATIONAL FIRE ACADEMY. GRAPHIC DATA AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK).