Abstract
This paper examines the crime of arson and the various victims that a fire started with malicious intent will affect. First the author discusses the different organizations that must cooperate for an arson investigation to be successful. Next, the author describes how officials know if a fire was set with intent. The potential motives for starting a fire are also analyzed, such as arson for profit or for revenge. The paper outlines how an arson interview is conducted by investigators. The paper concludes with a call for better training, equipment and cooperation in order to combat the epidemic that is spreading.

Ignorance or Malice?
Motive & Opportunity

From the Paper
"Once the fire is out, the investigation starts. There are usually two types of ways that a fire starts: one is ignorance which is an accident and the other is criminal which is malicious and therefore arson. According to Brady (1982), "...Arson is becoming one of the most destructive and profitable crimes in the country" (p.249). There are many victims that occur once a fire is started with the malicious intent. Individuals, whole communities, real estate companies, banks, insurance agencies, law and fire departments are all affected in one way or another from this crime. In 2009, Swanson, Chamelin, Territo, Taylor, concluded, "Arson is an inherently difficult crime to detect and prosecute, in part because the motivations for and methods of committing arson vary widely" "

Tags:Arson for profit, vanity fires, revenge-motivated arson, criminal investigation, interview

Abstract
This paper examines and analyzes a case of suspected arson, further considering whether the behavior of not reporting a fire constituted wanton and reckless behavior. Various legal opinions and arguments are cited in the paper, including those of the two courts before which this case was heard. Additionally, the paper presents a legal definition of arson and discusses whether this case would fall under those criteria. The paper also explores the issue of a defendant's mental health when accused of arson, because it is vital to know whether the accused knows right from wrong, or if he or she is competent. Finally, the paper addresses whether starting a fire is an intentional act or an act of recklessness, which also impacts the outcome of an arson case. The paper concludes by stating that in the particular case examines here,the judge was correct in his statement that there is an intentional act involved in every act of recklessness.


Outline:

Factors the Court Relied On to Find a Duty to Report
Arson?
Mental State
An Intentional Act Involved in Every Act of Recklessness

From the Paper
"The defendants in this case were not charged with arson, which is defined as intentional and malicious. In Levesque, the man and woman were charged with accidently starting a fire and then fleeing the premises and not calling 911 to report an emergency. There was no indication that they intentionally and maliciously set the fire, as, at the time, it was their own "residence" that went up in flames.
"However, if they had not been charged with accidently starting the fire, it would change the outcome of the case, I believe. The reason they were found guilty was because they were found wanton and reckless in not reporting the fire which they accidently started. Absent that charge, there would be no cause to find them guilty even though they left the premises. Actually, absent being charged with accidently starting the fire, there would be no basis for a trial at all, even if the building had burned down and the firefighters had been killed by the fire."

Tags:firefighters, Supreme Judicial Court, Superior Court, People v. Kazmarick

Abstract
This paper begins by giving a definition of arson and shows some recent arson statistics. The paper then looks at the issue of arson and fraud and discusses which kinds of people commit arson. A discussion about how arson is investigated and the types of evidence used in an investigation is included.

From the Paper
"More than half of all arson crimes are committed by juveniles. "Juveniles now account for 55 percent of Arson related arrests." In some figures compiled by the state of Maryland, they found their juvenile arrest rate was over 60%. And, 10% of those juvenile arrests were under 8 years of age! A full 53% of all juvenile arson arrests in Maryland were under the age of 18. A breakdown of reasons for setting arson fires by juveniles shows that the largest percentage is vandalism, some 61%/ Other reasons include juvenile fireplay, spite or revenge, some sort of domestic situation (that is, arguing with Mom and Dad, and setting something in the house or yard on fire, including the family car). A very small fraction of juvenile arson was caused by attempts to conceal a crime."

Tags:crime, fraud, fire, investigation, evidence

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses the crime of arson. The writer examines how such a crime can be detected. The paper first examines the chemistry of a fire in detail and then looks at how fires spread. The writer discusses how to differentiate arson from an accidental fire, by detecting the presence of accelerants.

From the Paper
"The crime of arson is the willful burning of someone else's property and the crime is more dangerous to human life than murder because statistically, murderers usually do not kill again but arsonists will continue to set fires until they are caught. Arson investigations are highly complex processes and unless conducted immediately valuable evidence may be lost forever. To determine whether a fire is accidental or a case of arson, it is necessary to understand the basics of the chemistry and behavior of fires. Fire is ... "

Tags:accelerants, ignition point, flashpoint, conduction, convection, radiation

Abstract
This paper explains that, when examining fire-setting by children and adolescents, it is important to distinguish between fires set intentionally and fires accidentally set because so many children play with fire, especially between the ages of three and five, that many psychologists consider it normal childhood behavior. The author points out that research suggests a variety of factors associated with arson behavior in youths: desire to exert power over adults; an extreme expression of antisocial behavior; other aggressive behaviors, including lying, stealing, vandalism, and sexual offenses; and broad-ranging deficits in social skills. The paper reports that some programs that focus on correcting the lack of effective discipline in the youth?s dysfunctional family have been able to reduce the incidence of repeat fire-setting behavior.

From the Paper
"Other examples provided by Coleman et. al. do not show any likely causes from early childhood. One boy reported that he went into a brother's room, took his Game Boy and found a lighter. He then set his own curtains on fire "just to see how it would burn." He then went to church where he used toilet paper to start a fire both in a restroom and outside in a trash receptacle. He showed interest in both increasing thrills and in watching people's reactions: he threw the lighter into the outside fire and enjoyed watching it explode. He then enjoyed talking to people about the bathroom fire. Eventually he admitted to starting both fires, but since he showed no remorse, the researchers might wonder whether he also used the fires to draw attention to himself."

Tags:accidental, play, repeat, dysfuntional, antisocial

Abstract
The paper defines arson and explores the reasons or motives behind this destructive crime. The paper talks about pyromaniacs whose motivations are often simply the thrill of the fire. The paper also considers the increase in juvenile crime related arson and discusses how this may stem from a traumatic childhood. The paper then looks at how fire investigators determine whether arson was the cause of a fire.

From the Paper
"Over thirty thousand structural fires are set annually at a cost of over three-quarters of a million dollars worth of damage and more than three hundred lives lost. Additionally over twenty thousand intentionally set vehicular fires occur causing more than one hundred thirty million dollars in damages and an additional two hundred lives lost. Arson is responsible for twenty five percent of all fires and is the second leading cause of all residential fire related deaths."

Tags:pyromaniacs, juvenile, crime, investigations, firesetting

Abstract
This paper reviews T. L. Gilman and S.C. Haden's article "Understanding and Treating the Juvenile Fire Setter: A Review". The paper explains that the article provides a very exploration of juvenile fire setting, its onset, broad causative factors, motivations and forms of treatment. The paper discusses how the article considers curiosity, pathology, a means of self-expression, and deviance as key motivators for recidivist fire setting behaviors. After reviewing the article, the paper concludes that, if intercepted early enough, children will understand the consequences of such acts and create less damaging alternative responses while addressing their needs.

From the Paper
"Gilman and Haden (2006) provide a very thorough exploration of juvenile fire setting, its onset, broad causative factors, motivations, and forms of treatment. The article considers curiosity, pathology, a means of self-expression, and deviance as key motivators for recidivist fire setting behaviors. Accordingly, curious fire setters are intrigued by fire and its entrancing nature. Pathological fire setters are motivated by uncontrolled urges or obsessions. Children who set fires as a form of expression, are argued to be seeking attention, and deviant or delinquent fire setters are seeking revenge or a means of harming others in some way. They identify contributing factors as discord in the home, repressed emotions, and poor social skills."

Tags:conduct, disorder, pyromania, deviance, triggers, safety

Abstract
This paper provides a discussion of the difference between the mental disorder of pyromania and the criminal behavior known as arson that focuses on the mindset of the juvenile arsonist.

From the Paper
"here is a difference between the criminal mindset or behavior known as arson and the impulse control disorder known as pyromania. While arson is a crime pyromania is often considered a mental disorder. The pyromaniac has a clinical condition that is directly responsible for his or her fire setting. Arson on the other hand is classified as a violent crime. Though the arsonist and the pyromaniac are often confused as similar the clinical disorder of pyromania clearly defines the disorder as quite distinct from the criminal ..."

Tags:family, socioeconomic background, parenting, caregivers, anger, revenge, sociopath, behavior, APA, motives, property destruction, costs

Abstract
This is a crime scene investigation paper that examines techniques in use at rape, murder and arson as well as routine crime scene investigations.

From the Paper
"Processing a crime scene. Approach the crime scene investigation as if it will be their only opportunity to preserve and recover physical evidence. Ensure a perimeter is established. Perimeter boundaries can be reduced in size if necessary but cannot be as easily expanded. Respond to the scene expeditiously. Ensure restricted entry of non-police personnel as well as police personnel not involved in the investigation of the crime. Vehicles involved in a crime should remain on scene until processed to prevent alteration or destruction of physical evidence."

Tags:rape, murder, arson, crime scene investigations, chain of evidence, chain of custody, preserving, samples, trace evidence, forensics

Abstract
This paper attempts to identify the different types of insurance fraud perpetrated today and to evaluate their effect on the insurance industry and society at large. After tax evasion, insurance fraud is considered the highest-ranked among white-collar crimes. It provides a history of insurance, examines in detail the main types of insurance frauds currently around and discusses the measures that can be taken to help prevent and reduce the number of fraudulent claims.

Table of contents:
Abstract
Introduction
History of Insurance
Insurance Fraud
How Insurance Frauds Affect Society
Classification of Fraud by Insurance Companies
Insurance Fraud Status as a Crime
Types of Insurance Frauds
Staged Auto Accidents
Arson-for-Profit
Health Insurance Fraud by Individuals and Corporations
Workers' Compensation Fraud
Property/ Casualty Insurance Fraud
Agent Fraud
Fake and Real Deaths to Collect Life Insurance Money
Identity Fraud
Efforts to Reduce Insurance Fraud
Conclusion

From the Paper
"One of the most famous insurance providers in the world today, Lloyd's of London came into existence in 1688. Edward Lloyd owned a coffeehouse in London where merchants and bankers evaluated the risk of the maritime operations of seafaring vessels used for trading among the various British colonies and those used for prospecting new lands. Financiers for the expensive endeavors and trips to far off lands invested huge amounts of money in the hope that the voyages would be successful. Ship captains required money for supplies and goods, and would offer to embark on these dangerous trips with the help of these financiers a potentially, mutually beneficial endeavor."

Tags:premiums, fraudulent, claims, crime, arson-for-profit, property, casualty, health