NCJ Number
54513
Date Published
Unknown
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOKLET OUTLINES WHAT THE POLICE OFFICER SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ARSON IN TERMS OF ESTABLISHING MOTIVES, GATHERING EVIDENCE, AND IDENTIFYING, ARRESTING, AND TRYING A SUSPECTED ARSONIST.
Abstract
IN ADDITION TO DISCUSSING COMMON ARSON MYTHS, COMBATING APATHY, AND THE POLICE OFFICER'S GENERAL ROLE IN ARSON INVESTIGATIONS, DETERMINING MOTIVES FOR INTENTIAL INCENDIARY INCIDENTS IS EXAMINED WITH ATTENTION TO RATIONAL AND IRRATIONAL MOTIVES, BURNING FOR PROFIT, SPITE AND COVERUP FIRES, AND HOW PYROMANIACS AND JUVENILE ARSONISTS OPERATE. THE VALUE OF THE POSTINCIDENT INTERVIEW IS STRESSED; INTERVIEWING TECHNIQUES, HANDLING SUSPECTS, AND PROTECTING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE ARE COVERED. NARROWING THE LIST OF SUSPECTS, MAKING AN ARREST, AND UNCOVERING AND PRESENTING DIRECT AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE ARE ALSO DISCUSSED, ALONG WITH HOW TO ARRANGE FOR MORE INTENSIVE TRAINING IN ARSON DETECTION AND INVESTIGATION. DRAWINGS ARE PROVIDED. (KBL)