Answer to Question #202966 in English for Jane Mthembu

Question

The motives of an arsonist vary from individual to individual and often more than one motive leads to them cimmiting the act of arson. Briefly discuss the five (5) main categories in which arson is generally classified.

Answer 1

Arson is defined as the willful and malicious burning or charring of property. Arson statutes typically classify arson as a felony due to the potential to cause injuries or death. There are several categories of arson which include; pyromania, revenge, vandalism, insurance fraud, and welfare fraud.  

The pyromania arson usually sets the fire in an occupied multiple dwelling at night in a public portion of the building, usually on the floor and using a flammable liquid for one fire rather than multiple fires. The revenge motivated, who often threatens arson prior to the act, will focus on the residence or a building associated with the targeted victim. Flammable liquid is used to start one or multiple fires. The vandal arsonist targets occupied multiple dwellings as well as commercial buildings, schools, jails, churches, and abandoned buildings. Arson for insurance is obviously committed on the insured property, and the fire is designed to provide complete devastation. Welfare fraud fires are usually set in the residence of the perpetrator after all valuable property has been removed, and the crime concealment arsonist is usually concealing a burglary, and existing paper at one spot on the floor is generally used.