NCJ Number
75725
Journal
Barrister Volume: 7 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1980) Pages: 11-14,20
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper discusses some of the problems and issues involved in investigating arson crimes, and examines some of the Federal, State, and local programs established to deal with them.
Abstract
Although estimates of losses from arson range from $3-10 bilion a year, the conviction rate for arsonists hovers around 1 percent nationally. Hearings before the Senate Intergovernmental Relations Subcommittee in December, 1977, revealed a lack of Federal law enforcement agency action in determining the severity of the problem, or in establishing a coordinated effort to combat it. As a result of those hearings, legislation was enacted that changed arson from a Part II to a Part I crime in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reports. Some Federal action is being taken by the FBI and the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms division of the Treasury Department. Problems which impede arson investigations include a lack of cooperation between local police and fire departments, laws which inhibit fire investigations (e.g., those requiring search warrants at the scene of a fire or which require insurance companies to pay victims within a short period of time), and the lack of prosecutors trained in arson investigations. Local arson programs in New York City; in New Haven, Conn.; and in Cleveland, Ohio, have been established which overcome some of these problems. In addition, the Greater Cleveland Crime Prevention Committee has put out a volume intended to develop arson expertise among prosecutors.