NCJ Number
127843
Date Published
1990
Length
93 pages
Annotation
The use and effectiveness of the arson strike forces promoted by the United States Fire Administration and other Federal agencies 10 years ago was examined by means of site visits to four fire investigation units and a telephone survey of more than 100 local government and law enforcement officials.
Abstract
These strike forces consisted of teams of fire and police investigators who worked together to detect arson and to arrest and prosecute arsonists. The analysis focused on units in small and medium-sized jurisdictions. Results showed that fully integrated police/fire investigation teams are rare; the more common approach is a single-agency unit with cross-trained investigators. Problems include staffing cuts, flat rank structures that cause high turnover, inadequate training, management problems, and additional difficulties specific to small communities. However, the team approach is successful in the communities that are using it. Figures, profiles of individual programs, study instrument, and fire investigation report form