The arsonis
The Profile of an Arsonist
Janine Peter, Branon Ryals
Florida Institute of Technology
Author Note
This paper was prepared for CR4820 – Violent Crime, taught by Professor Thad Clancy. Abstract
In this paper we will discuss the profile of an arsonist. Discussed will be the various reasons as to why an arson is committed. The various demographics of the individuals that choose to commit arson are explored. The motivation for the arson plays a big role in when, where, and why an arson is committed by an individual. By looking at all of the concepts that are associated with the arsonist and arson, the reader will have a better understanding of how complexity of the arsonist profile. The Profile of an Arsonist
The crime of arson was one that many governments choose to ignore for many years. The “governments, public authorities and insurers adopted an ostrich-like attitude to the gathering crime of arson” (Woodward, 1988). It eventually became so bad in the United States that the public took it upon themselves to develop local task forces as a way to combat the problem, which in turn cause the United States Government to react to the growing arson problem.
Identifying when an arson has happened is only part of the issue facing law enforcement offices today. Understanding the reasoning behind why an arson has occurred, and who fits the profile for a particular arson is the challenge that investigators face. By identifying if a fire was accidental or
Facts: A fire was evolved on September 23, 1981 in a log cabin due to a hot plate. The hot plate was left on with an accelerant and kerosene near by. The owner of the cabin, Henry Xavier Kennedy was convicted of Arson as he obtained an insurance policy for $40K on the cabin five days prior to this fire and police found evidence that the construction business owned by Mr. Kennedy was losing money, and Mr. Kennedy's alibi was insufficient to eliminate him as a suspect.
The county fire marshal Alan Carson, saw the fire around 1.30 am and he defined the fire was a big one. Added that the weather and
One man saw the fire and tried to get someone to use the fire box to get the fire department to send a fire truck. Sadly he had no such luck in notifying them. Fire boxes were boxes located on the street corner for people to use to alert the closest fire department, because telephones were not commonly available at that time. The other man just insisted that a fire truck had probably already been called and was on its way. The fire was so destructive because there were many mistakes and dangerous
Last reason is because of the firefighter, the firefighter did not have the proper equipment, for example,
Nothing accomplishes more to destroy our families than fierce crimes, weapons, groups, drugs, and the trepidation that strolls close by those fear. Savage crimes and casualty rights have turned into a noteworthy sympathy toward most residents in America. Insights demonstrate a decrease in savage crimes in our nation and an expansion in our national jail populace. Discharged detainees carry out most rough violations. Firearm control enactment, change programs, casualty rights mindfulness, and different projects are plenteous in our nation, yet do little to mitigate fierce crimes. On this paper I will try to display the liberals and traditionalist perspectives on this issue and on my own personal perspectives.
For years if not decades, firefighters have responded to a reported structure fire that turned out to be a fully involved single room. This fire scenario requires a core set of fire tactics and skills to control and extinguished the fire, but is it this simple? Perhaps twenty years it may have been, but new dangers are lurking in every scenario and may have detrimental outcomes for unsuspecting and unaware firefighters and victims. The National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) agency along with the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) have been conducting research to understand fire behavior and fire dynamics. This research is providing firefighters with new information about how and why
Violent crimes happen every day in America, yet the full scope of why and how they happen are not understood by many outside of law enforcement. But within the ranks of law enforcement and the criminal justice system itself, violent crimes are examined and analyzed at length to determine both how and why the incident occurred, as well as what can be done in the future to prevent a similar event from reoccurring. Investigators use multiple methods and seek various explanations as to why a violent crime occurs. This literature will look at some of those things that investigators try to sort out in the aftermath of a violent crime, such as the killer’s modus operandi and signatures, his psychology, relation to his victims, and how the effect of gender, race, or culture might impact his violent behavior.
The fire spread from the O’Learys’ barn to the yards nearby. Soon it was spreading throughout the neighborhood. William Lee, a neighbor a block away, saw the fire and ran to Bruno Goll’s drugstore to turn in the fire alarm. Bruno Goll refused to turn in the alarm because he said the fire truck had already gone past. So instead of arguing, Lee went home to his family. At the courthouse the lookout on duty saw smoke, but thought nothing of it, thinking it was just Saturday's fire and there was no reason to be alarmed. Then he looked up and noticed it was a different fire and had his assistant strike the Box 342 for the fire department. Soon fire trucks were at the scene and attempted to put out the fire. The fire department’s Chief Marshal, Robert A. Williams got the engines to circle the fire to contain it. They got as close to the fire as they could until their arm hair was being burned and their
The Ohio State Penitentiary fire claimed the lives of many in 1930. The fire was set with the intent of causing a distraction to allow a few to escape the prison walls. This did not go to plan and instead, the prison was set ablaze when everyone was locked securely in their cells for the evening. It quickly got out of control and the fire, combined with poor prison conditions, lead to the death of 322 victims becoming the worst prison fire in the world at the time. From this tragedy, new fire codes were developed as well as new measures taken in the prison system to assure such a situation never happen again. The country hasn’t faced a tragedy like this since.
a. Imagine asking 100 strangers to describe a criminal. Predict whether those descriptions would be likely to focus on street criminals, or the variety of topics covered in this video.
The microsociology of violence is an attempt by Randall Collins to create an overall theory of violence. He does by focusing on the situational context of the violent interactions, and how emotions work to inhibit or support violence. As a theory, it has emerged from the field of microsociology, an approach which seeks to explore human interactions on a face-to-face level. Collins’ own approach combines Émile Durkheim’s theory of ritual and group-level interaction with the dramaturgical and context-relevant conception of human interaction advanced by Erving Goffman. Collins argues that all human interaction on the face-to-face level is a ritual. It is the situational dynamics of this ritual where he places his attention. He argues that
Thousands of fires occur on a yearly basis throughout the United States. Whether it is forest fires, house fires, or any other event that involves uncontrollable flames, the outcome will always be the same; high amounts of destruction and physical damage. When fire emergencies occur, responding to the incident may not be much of a complication as apposed to determining the source from where the fire started or what triggered its behavior, which is truly the challenge. In order to do so, a fire investigator has to be present at the scene of the fire after it has been eliminated. The investigator, after reviewing any possible marks or behavior trails, will conclude if the incident was indeed an accident or intentional, thus making it an act
As the nineties began, the general theory of crime became the most prominent criminological theory ever proposed; furthermore, it is empirically recognized as the primary determinant in deviant and criminal behaviors. Known also as the self-control theory, the general theory of crime can most simply be defined as the absence or lack of self-control that an individual possesses, which in turn may lead them to commit unusual and or unlawful deeds. Authored by educator Michael R. Gottfredson and sociologist Travis Hirschi, A General Theory of Crime (1990) essentially “dumbed down” every theory of crime into two words, self-control. The widely accepted book holds that low self-control is the main reason that a person initiates all crimes, ranging from murder and rape to burglary and embezzlement. Gottfredson and Hirschi also highlighted, in A General Theory of Crime (1990), that low self-control correlates with personal impulsivity. This impulsive attitude leads individuals to become insensitive to deviant behaviors such as smoking, drinking, illicit sex, and gambling (p. 90). The extreme simplicity, yet accuracy, of Gottfredson’s and Hirschi’s general theory of crime (self-control theory), make it the most empirically supported theory of criminal conduct, as well as deviant acts.
With all of the different reasons for setting arson fires, as well as the large variance in profiles of arsonists, investigating them can be difficult. This difficulty is compounded by the amount of evidence than can be destroyed by the act of arson. Arson investigators must begin by trying to find the point of origin; a task that can be made very difficult by tossing aside the debris and damaged items while the fire is being fought (Swanson, et al. 2006). If arson is suspected, the point of origin can be a deciding factor in declaring a fire intentional, especially if the fire began in the center of the room
Many people have different theories as to why crime exists. Some believe crime happens because of the individual’s culture, education (or lack there of), or even their race. Others believe crime is associated with whom we surround ourselves with. There are three sociological theories that suggest why crime happens in society; they are social learning theory, social control theory, and social reaction (labeling) theory. These theories suggest it is our relationships and social interactions that influence our behavior.