NCJ Number
77597
Date Published
1978
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This 1978 annual report covers functions, incidents, and statistics relating to the Arson Bureau of the Division of Criminal Investigation within the Wisconsin Department of Justice.
Abstract
The bureau's organization is described, with names of the director and nine deputies provided. Investigative and training functions are outlined as supplements to the fire service and local law enforcement, and responsibilities are detailed as divided among fire chiefs, the State Fire Marshal, and local law enforcement. Incidents and operations carried out over the year are then summarized and analyzed, with particular attention to requests for assistance, investigations, incendiary losses, case dispositions, motives, fatal fires, geographical distribution of investigations, and training. Tables further clarify each operation (e.g., numbers of case dispositions are noted according to whether they were for arson, criminal damage, negligent handling of burning materials, or homicide, etc.). Finally, Wisconsin fire loss statistical tables list fire losses in Wisconsin by type of property and by causes of the fire.