More...
quote:
Just as an individual's background, education, and vocational experiences may be reflected in the type of crime he commits, so his personality is reflected in the particulars of the specific crime he chooses. For example, we can classify and analyze arson just as we do rape.
The inadequate, nuisance-type arsonist would correlate to what we classify as the power-reassurance rapist, a sexually and socially in adequate offender who rapes to convince himself of his own power and self-worth and often feels guilty about the assault immediately afterward. He may even apologize to his victim before leaving the scene. On the other hand, an arsonist who sets fire to a populated apartment house and takes pleasture and satisfaction in watching people jumping out of windows and fleeing for their lives would correspond to the power-assertive rapist, who, as the term suggests, assaults because he enjoys the power and control over other people. He would be a very violent rapist who would enjoy watching his victim cry and suffer.
As with any other violent crime, the details of the arson lead you to the motive and, therefore, the personality type of the offender. Keep in mind tough, that any nuisance arsonist can escalate if his life situation or emotional state deteriorates. It’s the fantasy that comes first, which is why both rapists and arsonists usually start out as Peeping Toms.
I’ve found that investigators and others in and around law enforcement frequently confuse the terms “motive†and “intentâ€. Intent refers simply to the deliberateness of the act- consciously choosing to commit the crime. Motive is the offender’s reason for setting the fire, and there are seven basic arson motives that we encounter frequently: fraud; pyromania; crime concealment; vanity; spite or revenge; civil disorder; political or revolutionary activity; and the simplest of juveniles and adolescents playing with fire.