Serial Arson Investigation

Serial Arsonist Conducting an arson investigation is a straightforward affair. The first thing to do is determine if the crime committed was actually arson, as arson has a strict definition. This can be especially difficult if the arsonist is skilled at his craft, and assume it’s a he because 94% of arsonists are young males (Baker, 2005). After investigating the scene and determining it was an arson, the next step is to determine what kind of arson it was, mass arson, serial arson, or spree arson. Once that it had been determined to be arson, and what kind of arsonist is being dealt with, the fun part starts, good old fashioned police work. This is where having a fusion center comes in handy.

Arson Defined and Classified
Defined
Arson is
A mass arsonist sets three or more fires in a short time in a small area. A spree arsonist lights three or more fires in different areas within a short time. A serial arsonist sets three or more fires over a longer period and larger area (Baker, 2005). An arsonist will fall into one of two typologies, organized or disorganized. An organized arsonist will be smarter and likely a normal member of society, while a disorganized arsonist is more likely to be an introvert and have no logic or reason to his fires. There are several motivations for arsonists, such as vandalism and excitement. The arsonist motivated by a need to damage something and cause mischief. Vandal arsonists are usually low income or troubled students that target low hanging fruit, such as garbage cans and bushes within walking distance of their home. A thrill-seeking arsonist lights fires because it excites him, he wants to see big fires and watch people react to them, taking pride in what he did. Excitement-attention seeking arsonists can escalate their habit much like a junky when using drugs, they will keep lighting bigger fires until they are caught (Baker,
I need to know everything the Fire Marshal knows, and then I will talk to anyone at the scene, focusing on young white males. There is a 50-50 shot that the arsonist will return the scene, and 82% chance that the suspect is a white male (Baker, 2005). Hopefully there is an obvious motive for the arson, such as an angry ex-lover, or a failing business. Should it be a random dumpster or vacant lot fire, it will require a lot more research.
Next I need to look at the crime statistics for the area and see if there are any other recent fires in the area, focusing on ones that may be connected. This is where a fusion center would come in handy. I would go through any information from nearby precincts on arsons that could possibly be related to the one I am working on, as well as making sure I document anything I have learned in case someone else could use what I have