NCJ Number
51854
Date Published
1978
Length
114 pages
Annotation
REASONS WHY ARSON INVESTIGATION IS A PROBLEM FOR POLICE AGENCIES, CURRENT THINKING ABOUT ARSON INVESTIGATION, AND CASE STUDIES FROM THREE TEXAS COMMUNITIES ARE DISCUSSED AND ARSON STATISTICS ARE REVIEWED.
Abstract
THIS STUDY IS BASED ON INTERVIEWS CONDUCTED WITH THE FIRE MARSHALS OF HOUSTON, BEAUMONT, AND HUNTSVILLE, TEX., AND SURVEYS OF ARSON STATISTICS FOR BOTH THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES. THE FIRST SECTION OF THE REPORT EXAMINES THE DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTION CONCERNING ARSON, THE PROBLEM OF ROLE DEFINITION EXISTING BETWEEN FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS, AND THE INADEQUACY OF ARSON STATISTICS. IT IS FOUND THAT, THE SMALLER THE CITY, THE LESS ARSON IS VIEWED AS A SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO PROFESSIONAL CONSENSUS CONCERNING THE ORGANIZATION OF ARSON BUREAUS. IT IS FOUND ALSO THAT THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, IN GENERAL, HAS NEGLECTED THE CRIME OF ARSON. THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE: WRITTEN GUIDELINES SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO INSURE COOPERATION AMONG VARIOUS AGENCIES INVOLVED IN ARSON INVESTIGATION; THE GATHERING AND REPORTING OF ARSON STATISTICS SHOULD BE IMPROVED; AND STATE FIRE MARSHALS SHOULD PLAY A MORE ACTIVE ROLE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT IS SUGGESTED ALSO THAT FEDERAL FUNDS BE DEVOTED TO ARSON INVESTIGATION. THE STUDY DATA ARE PRESENTED IN TABULAR FORM. DESCRIPTIONS ARE PROVIDED OF THE ORGANIZATION OF ARSON INVESTIGATION AND REPORTING FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS, TRAINING REQUIRED FOR ARSON INVESTIGATORS, AND THE STATE OF ARSON INVESTIGATION IN EACH OF THE THREE CITIES. APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE QUESTIONS ASKED DURING THE FIRE MARSHAL INTERVIEWS AND SUMMARIZE OFFENSES INVESTIGATED BY THE ARSON INVESTIGATORS FOR THE BEAUMONT POLICE DEPARTMENT. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (GLR)