BY George Kuhn
An arson investigator examines a fire scene to determine the origin of the fire and source of ignition and to gather evidence to determine if the fire was accidental or intentional. Understanding the suspected arsonist’s possible motives is beneficial in aiding the investigator and the fire department investigation. By examining the suspected arsonist’s profile, the investigator can identify the attributes, characteristics, motives, and patterns of the life history of an arsonist. The investigator can then create a hypothesis related to where the arsonist may strike again and what type of individual may be starting these fires. Fire prevention programs targeted at young children are a key tactic in preventing children from becoming possible future fire setters.
“Arson isn’t just about fire. It is about people. In some cases it is about people interacting with their environment. In others it is people interacting with other people in groups. In a few cases it is about people and their psychological disturbances.”1
Fire affects a community in numerous ways. For example, when a fire destroys a commercial or an industrial occupancy, a number of people and businesses are affected by the loss: the occupancy’s employees, the suppliers to the lost concern, the businesses and their suppliers that did business with the now laid-off employees; and community tax base and sales tax revenue. In addition, fires in older communities usually result in business and industry’s looking elsewhere for cheaper land and lower building costs.
ARSONIST PROFILE
Individuals may set fires for personal reasons, including revenge or in response to labor problems. Juveniles may set fires for the thrill of it or as an act of vandalism. Arson may be used to conceal homicides. “It is estimated that at least half of all fires are set deliberately. Vandalism is suspected of being the primary motivation, and juveniles are the most frequent perpetrators.” (Federal Emergency Management Agency, 1, 6-2)
On September 15, 2003, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Arson Task Force issued a statement looking for an individual responsible for setting fires in the Washington, D.C. and Maryland area. The statement describes how the individual may be under extreme stress, may have had a rough time while growing up, may have a lot of anxiety, and may feel excitement during these fires.2
How does the ATF know these traits of a fire setter? “By identifying the attributes, characteristics, motives, and patterns of the life history of serial arsonists to assist in producing criminal investigative analysis consisting of characteristics and traits of such offenders.”3 This information is compiled through computer databases, including the ACMS (Arson Case Management System), AEWS (The Arson Early Warning System), NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System), and UCR (Uniform Crime Reports).
The ACMS “consists of several databases used in the daily operation of an arson investigation unit. These daily files consist of basic offense reports, master name indices, case solvability factors, and other facts or circumstances that make a case potentially solvable.” (1, 11-9) The AEWS is a collection of computer analysis routines that have been successful in predicting the time periods and profiles of arson-prone areas. Factors that cause concern include “businesses with a history of unpaid taxes, previous structure fires, continuous fire code violations, and a record of unreleased liens or other attachments.” (1, 11-10)
NFIRS provides standardized fire incident, firefighter, and civilian casualty data. These data allow comparisons of fire incidents among fire departments and state governments. The UCR provides “crime counts for the nation as a whole, as well as for regions, states, counties, cities, and towns. In addition to information on crime totals and trends, these reports include data on crimes cleared, persons arrested for a wide range of crimes, and characteristics pertinent to victim-offender relationships.” (1, 11-13)
The Montgomery County (MD).Fire Marshal’s Office offers an example of how fire investigators can use computer programs to manage arson cases and other fire related investigations. “Mont-gomery County fire investigators maintain a list of active arson cases along with their predicted probability of being solved successfully. This probability is based on factors including an identifiable method of operation, significant physical evidence, witnesses, suspects, traceable stolen property, and an opinion by the investigator that the case can be solved with a reasonable amount of investigative effort.” (1, 10-40) The advantage of this program is that it allows investigators to modify statistical analysis according to arson trends or target areas within the community. In addition, through these updates, cases can be assigned with higher solvability rates, increasing efficiency of budget-constrained fire personnel resources.
ARSON MOTIVES
Possible arson motivations and arsonist types include insurance fraud, revenge, sensation, crime concealment, vandalism/thrill seeking, pyromania, heroic/vanity, and juvenile fire setting.
Insurance fraud. Insurance fraud or profit-motivated arson involves an individual who sets fires to gain monetarily from insurance fraud. These arsons normally have a high level of fire damage and are rarely a personal attack. An insurance-motivated fire is normally well planned. For example, inventory and other important items within the business may be removed before the fire is set and then losses will be claimed on the nonexistent inventory.
Revenge. The revenge arsonist will normally target an individual or place with which the arsonist has a personal connection. These fire setters include jilted lovers, disgruntled employees, or individuals who feel they have been cheated or abused. “Revenge is one of the easiest motives to pick out. Normally, you have incidents leading up to the fire that are pretty well known.”4
Sensation. Political and terrorist groups are classified as sensation arsonists; the sensation arsonist is well aware of his intentions. “Today, so-called eco-terrorists are targeting lumber companies, commercial livestock facilities (poultry and fur), property developers, ski lodges, and even university facilities engaged in agricultural research with incendiary device attacks.”5 These arsonists are ex-tremely unpredictable, are capable of causing serious property damage, and have little regard for the safety of innocent bystanders.
Crime concealment. Individuals may set fires to conceal another crime by destroying physical evidence or to divert attention from another crime. These fires are usually started with materials found at the scene, to destroy as much evidence as possible.
Thrill seeking/vandalism. The thrill seeker or vandal fire setter is normally an adolescent. These fires are generally set by a group rather than by an individual. Fires of this nature are usually impulsive. The individuals involved have a tendency to remain at the scene to watch the fire department extinguish the fire.
Pyromania. The fire setting actions of the pyromaniac are almost always random acts of arson. These individuals will have psychological problems. “There is some thought that there is a correlation between fire setting and sexual arousal/fulfillment, but most evidence is purely anecdotal.” The seminal study of fire setters conducted by Lewis and Yarnell in 1951 found only a few fire setters who specifically used fire setting for sexual gratification. (4, 80)
Heroic/vanity. The hero or vanity arsonist may be a “wannabe” firefighter or police officer or even an actual frustrated career or volunteer firefighter. This person is normally civic-minded but is characteristically immature, inadequate, and an underachiever. This individual sets fires in an attempt to win praise and social recognition for his alertness and heroism.
Juvenile. Juvenile fire setters are often socially inept, come from broken homes, have learning disabilities, and are hyperactive. Juvenile fire setters are prone to a higher than average number of accidents that result in physical injury and display a higher level of risk taking. They will also display defiant, angry behavior; lack emotional depth; and exhibit antisocial behavior.
There are three subgroups of juvenile fire setters. Children under age nine usually set fires in their family’s home. Children between the ages of nine and 12 usually set school fires for revenge. Children between the ages of 13 and 17 usually set fires to vacant buildings. “Juvenile fire setting has been seriously underestimated in years past, most probably because families or social welfare workers did not report many incidents. It is now clear that the arsons cleared by arrests each year in the United States involve a large percentage of suspects under the age of eighteen.” (5, 516)
In reviewing the categories of fire setters and their motivations, the question arises whether these distinct groups share common characteristics. It appears that individuals of certain ages and characteristics are more inclined to become fire setters. Fire setters tend to be young white males ages 15 to 25 who will exhibit underlying anger and have a history of drug or alcohol abuse. Such persons frequently come from a father-absent or mother-dominated environment. Arsonists generally lack the skills to address problems of life in general. In addition, they typically perform poorly at work, in personal relationships, and in school. However, they appear to be proficient in their fire setting skills.
An interesting characteristic of arsonists is the unsophisticated methods they use in setting fires. Except for sensation arsonists, who may use sophisticated incendiary devices, most arsonists will use available materials that are found on-scene, including matches, paper, and gasoline. In addition, it appears that an arsonist usually tends to start a fire in his local area. “Most fires are set within a radius of two miles or less from the residence of the arsonist. Almost all of the arsons were committed in areas with which the serial arsonist was acquainted. Few owned vehicles, and most set fires in their own state, town, or neighborhood.” (3, 6)
PREVENTION/MITIGATION PROGRAMS
“According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 53 percent of arrests for arson are children under the age of 18.”6 Juvenile fire setters are the easiest arsonists to rehabilitate, since children do not realize the seriousness of their actions. Therefore, prevention programs targeted for these adolescents are the best strategy for eliminating acts of arson. The U.S. Fire Administration has taken a leadership role in designing and implementing an early warning system to identify specific juveniles who may display fire setting and arson-related tendencies.
Fire service, law enforcement, and medical/mental health professions have developed this early warning system. It involves an interview and evaluation segment to assess the level of fire setting risk behavior in the juvenile as well as within the juvenile’s family. “There are three levels of designated risk—little, definite, and extreme. Each level of risk represents a more severe degree of fire setting. From interview questions and a brief written questionnaire, using children and their parents as informants, data is gathered regarding family history, the child’s physical and psychological make-up and previous and current fire setting incidents.”7
The little risk level involves curiosity fires. The definite risk involves repeated fire setting episodes, possibly involving psychological issues. The extreme risk level involves repeated fire setting episodes, signaling behavioral or emotional issues. This data-gathering system allows fire departments to identify high-risk juveniles and to guide families of the juvenile to intervention programs tailored to the individual’s specific issues.
“Family psychotherapy has been successful in the treatment of fire setting behavior. While one objective is to stop fire setting, the primary therapeutic goal is the restructuring of family communication and interaction patterns. The premise is that if the dysfunctional patterns of relationships within the family are corrected, then overt symptoms, such as fire setting, will diminish.”8
In Oregon, a juvenile fire setter program was developed through a partnership of the Clackamas County Juvenile Fire Setter Interven-tion Network and Clackamas County Juvenile Department. This program provides education and intervention for youths with fire setting behavior by holding them accountable for their fire offenses. “The class follows a cognitive skill-building model. It stresses helping the participants understand how their thoughts and feelings contribute to their decision making—how they deal with feelings like anger, sadness, or even boredom, and how these feelings translate themselves into potentially dangerous acts.”9
The Rochester (NY) Fire Department has reduced repeat fire setting in the community by 74 percent with a nationally recognized program called “Fireproof Children.” All fire service members can use this program, not just fire prevention personnel. The program teaches all fire personnel to be committed to preventing fires as well as fighting them.
It is never too early to initiate fire prevention education. The Rochester Fire Department method involves connecting matches and lighters with adult tools. “Ask children what power tools their parents use at home, and they’re always eager to list them. We emphasize that matches and lighters are also adult tools.”10
Other preventative methods include the following.
- Treat every response or interaction with the public as an opportunity to educate the public on safety. Check for working smoke detectors or other possible fire hazards. In addition, talk with families on how to conduct their own fire drill, including planning escape routes and having a designated meeting place.
- Build a relationship with the community the fire department protects. Encourage the families with children to come and visit the fire station. Become familiar with the principals and teachers of schools within the fire district. “When children get to know you as a friend, they are more likely to listen to and follow your suggestions. If a child in your district comes up to you and says they [sic] remember you from school, it is likely they [sic] remember some of the important things you have discussed.” (10, 61)
- Use engaging, age-appropriate educational material. When visiting a school, bring fire education material that fits easily into the normal classroom routine. Give children tasks they are capable of completing. Children enjoy knowing they have a part in helping keep the family safe. For example, children can be responsible for making sure the smoke detector batteries are changed regularly, possibly on that child’s birthday. In addition, it can be the children’s job to notify the parents if any matches and lighters are left out in the open.
Scare tactics do not work. When children are afraid, they will shut down and stop listening. Research has found that positive reinforcement and praise work better than threats and punishment. A key element in these mitigation programs’ success involves a partnership between police, fire, school organizations, and other community groups.
For example, when these organizations realize there is a problem with juvenile arson within the community, increased awareness, communication, and education between juveniles and these organizations will help reduce the occurrence of these acts of arson. The following methods are effective:
- Increase family awareness and education through children, the media, and a community awareness campaign.
- Increase child awareness and education through improved in-school instruction.
- Increase judicial system and youth service agencies’ awareness and education to facilitate the necessary interagency coordination and develop a successful network as well as mandated participation.
- Develop follow-up programs for juvenile fire setters that address the issues of neglect, abuse, and exploitation of children, with special focus on drug and alcohol education and prevention. (1, 11-4)
Arson investigators and fire service personnel can reduce arson through the use of computer programs including ACMS, AEWS, NFIRS, and UCR, along with knowing the profiles of different types of fire setters. This enables arson investigators and law enforcement officials to identify the methods of operation and characteristics an arsonist will exhibit as they search for a suspected arsonist. In addition, mitigation programs targeting children, including the Juvenile Fire Setter Early Warning System, Oregon’s Juvenile Fire Setter Program, and Fireproof Children, are key tools in preventing these potential young fire setters from continuing these dangerous behaviors into adulthood.
Endnotes
1. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Incendiary Fire Analysis and Investigation, June 2002, 6-1.
2. ATF Arson Task Force Statement 9/15/03, http:/www.atf.gov/.
3. Sapp, Allen D. Ph.D., Timothy G. Huff, Gary P. Gordon, David J. Icove, Ph.D., and Philip Horbert, “Serial Arsonists: Who Are They?” The National Fire and Arson Report, September 1994, 2.
4. White, E. E., “Profiling Arsonists and Their Motives: An Update,” Fire Engineering, March 1996. 81.
5. DeHaan, John D. Kirk’s Fire Investigation. fifth ed., 2002, Brady/Prentice Hall, 515.
6. U.S. Fire Administration. Children And Fire. January, 2001.
7. Gaynor, Jessica, Ph.D., and Daniel Stern, Ph.D, “Child and Juvenile Fire Setters, Part 1: Examining Their Psychological Profiles,” Firehouse, September 1993, 26.
8. Gaynor, Jessica, Ph.D., and Daniel Stern, Ph.D, “Juvenile Fire Setters, Part 2: Effective Intervention,” Firehouse, October 1993, 52.
9. Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal, “Juveniles with Fire in Oregon During 2002,” Summer 2003.
10. Kourofsky, Carolyn E., Robert Crandall, Robert E. Cole, Ph.D., “You Can Prevent A Child’s First Fire,” Firehouse, September 2001, 60.
Additional Resources
Federal Emergency Management Agency. “The Fire Setter A Psychological Profile.” Arson Resource Exchange Bulletin, October 1980.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Community and Fire Threat, May 1998.
Rautaheimo, Juha. “The Making of an Arsonist, ” Fire Prevention, October 1989.
Liscio, David, “Juvenile Fire Setters,” Firehouse, September 1999.
GEORGE KUHN is a firefighter/EMT with the Linden (NJ) Fire Department, where he has served for 12 years. He has an associate’s degree in fire science from Union County Community College and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fire administration from the University of Maryland.
