Home → Publications → Fact sheets → Bushfire arson bulletin → The use of profiling in bushfire arson : part 3 : revenge-motivated and general serial arsonists
The use of profiling in bushfire arson : part 3 : revenge-motivated and general serial arsonists
- Bushfire arson bulletin, no. 28
- ISSN 1832-2743
- Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 17 January 2006 (online only)
- Download PDF version (155kB)
While revenge is a common motive in urban-structural arson, there is not the same specific target in bushfire arson. The focus of the offender's anger is more likely to be displaced from a specific person or institution towards society as a whole, or perhaps a particular community or group within it. For instance, a firesetter may start a fire as a way of attacking the policies or practices of a government land management agency. The following table includes a series of characteristics that were commonly observed by the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC; Sapp et al. n.d.) in cases where societal retaliation was the primary motivation. Also included is the more general profile developed by the FBI and NCAVC for serial arson offenders (Douglas et al. 1992).
| Revenge-motivated: societal retaliation (serial) | General serial arsonist profile |
|---|---|
| Feels betrayed by society in general; most dangerous of the revenge-motivated arsonists | Offender who sets three or more fires at the same site or location during a limited period with a period of inactivity between the fires |
| Typically male; may suffer from a congenital condition affecting appearance or health | 94% male - many decrease/end fire-setting activities at around 19 years; serial arsonists who continue past 19 become more frequent offenders |
| Single offender; does not confide in anyone | Single offender |
| Uses available materials; matches (leaves at scene) or cigarette lighter (takes away) | Unsophisticated methods; on-hand materials, paper and gasoline (accelerants); matches or lighter (ignition) more than half leave physical evidence (match) |
| Fires are premeditated and intentional; rarely targets residences or businesses. Targets have open entry; if not, fires lit outside | Targets typically opportunist or random. Majority set only one fire in a location, but may return to set fires in same location many times |
| Familiar location, normally less than 1-2 miles from home or workplace; commonly walks to scene | Most walk to scene of the fire. 70% of fires lit within 2 miles of offender's residence. Familiar location |
| Above average intelligence (based on IQ tests); generally employed, menial to skilled labour | Less educated and/or underachiever; erratic employment; unskilled; often unemployed |
| Juvenile record and criminal history of both misdemeanour and felony arrests; probably has one or more prison sentences | Most have prior felony arrests; two-thirds have multiple felony arrest records; two-thirds have prior misdemeanour arrests; most have multiple misdemeanour arrests. Many have a history of institutionalisation (foster homes, state care, juvenile detention, prison) |
| Single at the time of offences | Majority are single (>65%) |
| Psychological history likely; often more than one suicide attempt | Poor interpersonal relationships; socially inadequate |
| Leaves scene; does not watch fire; typically returns within 24 hours | More than 50% return to the scene, and of these 97% do so within 24 hours |
| All known cases serial arsonists; both frequency and severity of fire-setting increase over time | Frequency of fires does not change significantly, but severity tends to increase over time |
References
- Douglas JE et al. 1992. Pocket guide to the crime classification manual. New York: Lexington Books
- Sapp AD et al. n.d. A motive-based offender analysis of serial arsonists. http://www.interfire.org/features/serialarsonists/Motive_based/cover.asp (viewed 16 December 2005)
An initiative of the Australian Institute of Criminology, the Bushfire CRC and the ACT Department of Justice and Community Safety
