Chapter 22 Notes: Fire, Filicide, and Finding Felons

Firefighter Arson

Introduction

  • Timothy G. Huff works for the FBI, National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC).
  • The NCAVC is a law enforcement resource center that consolidates research, training, investigative, and operational support to assist with unusual, high-risk, vicious, or repetitive crimes.
  • The Arson and Bombing Investigative Services Subunit (ABIS) within NCAVC assists with arson, bombing, terrorism, and related violent crimes.
  • The chapter addresses the problem of firefighters who commit arson, their motives, and prevention strategies.

Scope of the Problem

  • Firefighter arson is a significant concern for fire chiefs.
  • The number of known firefighter arsonists is relatively small compared to the total number of firefighters (approximately one million in the US).
  • The majority of firefighters are dedicated and deserving of their hero status.
  • The author identified 25 cases of firefighter arson through a survey of fire investigators, with data from seven states and one Canadian province.
  • These cases involved 75 offenders responsible for 182 fires.
  • The author conducted interviews with investigators using an FBI NCAVC protocol.

Motives for Firefighter Arson

  • Three primary motives were identified:
    • Excitement: The predominant motive, especially in group offender cases (N = 8, 89%) and often for lone offenders (N = 8, 50%).
      • Youthful firefighter arsonists are often driven by excitement.
      • Firefighters may seek to put their training into action by setting fires.
      • Arsonists may hope to be seen as heroes for their firefighting efforts.
      • The fantasy of being highly regarded can overwhelm judgment.
      • Some arsonists prefer setting fires during public events to maximize attention.
      • The sense of belonging, power, and excitement are important.
    • Profit: Firefighters might receive overtime pay or a fixed sum per call.
    • Revenge: The least common motive; disgruntled employees may set fires in retaliation.
      • Examples include torching the fire station or retaliating against the fire chief.

Lone vs. Group Offenders

  • Most serial arson cases involving firefighters involve lone offenders (16 cases).
  • Multiple-arsonist cases from one department are less common but significant (9 cases).
  • Multiple-arsonist cases often involve younger participants in fire department programs.

Modus Operandi

  • Lone firefighter arsonists typically use materials found at the scene.
  • They often start with nuisance fires (dumpsters, trash piles, vegetation).
    • 25% of lone offenders (N = 4) and 56% of group offenders (N = 5) begin this way.
  • Arsonists often escalate to more damaging targets over time (vehicles, abandoned structures, occupied buildings).
  • Lone arsonists commonly use matches or a cigarette lighter (hot set).
  • Nighttime is the favored time for fire setting to avoid detection.
  • Arsonists in conspiracies commonly drive to the scene (N = 7, 78%).
  • Lone offenders' transportation methods vary (driving, walking, bicycle).
  • Fires are initially set within the fire district, then potentially in adjoining districts to deflect suspicion.

Telltale Signs of Firefighter Arson

  • An increase in nuisance fires within the fire department's jurisdiction (38% of cases).
  • Firefighters in conspiracies may avoid calling fire investigators to the scene.
  • Offenders are often fairly new members of the department (average time with the department: 2.4 years).
  • Group offenders often did not have the inclination to set fires before joining the department.

Characteristics of Lone Offenders

  • Predictably white men.
  • Ages typically between 18 and 30 (average age 23), with exceptions.
    • The oldest was a 41-year-old who set fires for profit.
  • Spotty employment record (frequent job changes, absence, tardiness).
  • Possible criminal record for petty offenses, vehicle code violations, alcohol abuse, or trespassing.
  • Poor academic and behavior record in school.

Characteristics of Group Offenders

  • Younger offenders (16 to 35 years, average age 19).
  • Predominantly white men.
  • Immature behavior.
  • One or two dominant members lead, others follow.
  • Strong peer pressure to cooperate and maintain secrecy.
  • Multiple offenders drove to the scenes.
  • More organized in fire-setting behavior (planning, flammable liquids).
  • Middle-class upbringing, no prior criminal records, many still in school.

Telltale Indicators

  • Evolution of similar events connected with firefighter arson cases.
  • Many nuisance fires set before serious investigation.
  • Initial perception of fire department personnel as beyond suspicion.
  • Reluctance to believe a firefighter is responsible.
  • Suspicion closely held due to fear of being wrong and potential consequences.

The Role of the Fire Chief

  • Reluctance to report suspicions to law enforcement authorities.
  • Fear of public disclosure and shame to the department.
  • Concern about the impact on employee morale if suspicions are incorrect.
  • Importance of early elimination of innocent firefighters from suspicion.
  • Potential revelation of negligent hiring practices.
  • Adverse publicity and stress from post-arrest investigation and judicial proceedings.
  • Efforts at face saving, healing, and restoring confidence.

Prevention Strategies

  • Applicant screening (background examination) is crucial.
  • States have varying restrictions on information disclosure.
  • Signed waivers can allow access to confidential information.
  • Background investigations can be lengthy or cursory.
  • Local law enforcement can provide guidance.
  • Fire investigators or deputy fire marshals can conduct background checks.
  • Need to assess the personal side of applicants.
  • Weigh the options of no, limited, or complete background checks.
  • Complete background checks (including psychological exams) can predict risks.
  • Cursory checks should include high school, credit, medical, criminal, driving, employment records, and references.
  • Check with previous fire departments.
  • Inform recruits about the penalties and consequences of fire setting.
  • Provide instruction on what to do if a colleague is suspected.
  • Focused instruction on the criminal aspects of arson and its dangers.
  • Arson detection training to channel recruits' mindset.

Summary

  • Basic background investigations can reveal potential problems.
  • Prompt investigation of telltale signs can be a deterrent.
  • Many chiefs do not investigate nuisance fires, but arsonists often escalate.
  • Early intervention through rapid and thorough investigation of all fires.
  • Dishonest firefighters discredit their department and profession.
  • Proactive measures in the firefighter appointment process are needed.

Filicide by Fire

Introduction

  • Filicide by fire is the act of parents deliberately setting fire to kill their children (an emerging phenomenon).
  • Analysts at the Arson and Bombing Investigative Services (ABIS) program at the FBI Academy study this.
  • This article is based on eight cases and discussions with field investigators.
  • Investigators should be alert, as this type of homicide can go undetected.
  • The NCAVC receives two to three cases annually but believes many go unreported.
  • The unnatural nature of the act may lead to overlooking parental guilt.

Motives for Filicide

  • Unwanted-child filicide: To remove a perceived obstacle to a relationship. Example: A mother removes her children to marry a boyfriend.
  • Acutely psychotic filicide: Related to severe mental illness. Example: A mother stabs her children and then sets fire to the apartment.
  • Spouse-revenge filicide: To deprive a spouse of their child. Example: An estranged husband kills his child to hurt his wife.
  • Murder for profit filicide: Parents take out large life insurance policies on their children before a fatal fire.
  • Authorities may not be suspicious, with the natural inclination being to feel compassion, which can override critical assessment.

Common Factors of Filicide Cases

  • Victims:
    • Young children (preschool age, rarely older than 7 or 8).
    • Fires take place at night or early morning (4 a.m. to 7 a.m.), while children are asleep.
    • Children are trapped in their bedroom such that there is no route to escape.
  • Crime Scene:
    • Children may be already dead (shot, stabbed, strangled) and positioned to appear as though they died in their sleep.
    • Flammable liquid (gasoline) frequently used for quick ignition.
    • Escape routes are often blocked (furniture rearrangement).
  • Parents (May Include Step-Parent or Lover):
    • Parents claim to be in bed when the fire occurred (providing an alibi).
    • Fainthearted rescue attempts (lack of physical signs of exposure to heat/smoke).
    • Inappropriate behavior (little or no grief exhibited).
    • Careless comments made later express a desire to be free of the burden.
    • Parents may be fully clothed despite the early hour and emergency.
    • Family known to social services or child protective agencies.
    • Mobile homes are common residences.
    • Parents are in their mid-twenties to mid-thirties.

Conclusions

  • Sufficient cases of filicide by fire exist to justify alerting investigators.
  • More cases need examination to refine profile criteria.
  • Investigators must be alert for other means of child death covered up by fire (stabbing, suffocating, beating, strangling, shooting).

Neighborhood Investigation (NI)

Introduction

  • Criminal investigations are based on the premise that offenders make mistakes.
  • The neighborhood investigation (NI) is a fundamental method of finding witnesses the offender didn't consider.
  • A less-than-thorough NI may be a big mistake for investigators.

Definition

  • A neighborhood investigation searches for persons present in the proximity of a crime to determine if they have information.
  • Information includes what was seen, heard, or smelled, or referrals to others.

Examples

  • Case Study - Arson
    • Investigators conducted a follow-up investigation on a case involving arson to a residence that occurred the previous night.
    • The case was solved when an acquaintance of the arsonist who was arrested for an unrelated offense informed on him in an effort to obtain leniency.
    • A resident told the detectives that on the night of the fire, she had seen the suspect hurrying down the sidewalk across the street. He was briefly illuminated by the street light and was carrying a gasoline can.
  • Case Study - Bombing Hoax
    • A hoax bomb was placed on the doorstep of a mobile home at a West Coast mobile-home park late one night.
    • The investigators apparently assumed the neighbors were gone when the offense occurred.
    • When one of the missing occupants returned from a trip three days later, he heard of the crime and contacted the police.
    • He reported that as he was leaving home late the night of the incident, he drove past the mobile home and saw two young adults leaving the porch, one of whom appeared to be placing something there.

Recommendations for Conducting an NI

  • Be thorough in your approach.
  • Prethink questions pertinent to the investigation, appealing to the senses.
  • Describe the environment at the time of the offense to enhance memory (weather, time, TV programs).
  • Write down orientation statements and questions for consistency.
  • Design specific, case-related questions to trigger recollection.
  • Preplan questions to avoid disclosing too much information or asking leading questions.
  • Find out who lives there and/or was at home during the time in question; log addresses for later contact.
  • Avoid vague questions such as, "Did you see anything suspicious?"
  • Ask if anyone videotaped or photographed the event.
  • Conduct a precanvass meeting with a checklist; remind all participating investigators of the importance of a thorough NI.
  • The same principles transfer to commercial or rural areas.
  • Consider delivery persons, postal employees, newspaper delivery persons, public transportation drivers, commuters, or neighborhood children.

Conclusion

  • The reward for the invested time can be increased by conducting thorough, well-planned neighborhood investigations.