Combatting the crime of arson: Detection,arrest, and conviction

The criminal aspect of arson, traditionally perceived as a firefighting rather than a law enforcement problem, has become of critical interest in recent years. Data are presented reflecting the escalating trend in arson fires which has developed over a five-year period in four cities in the southern California area. The ability of the law enforcement community to combat this trend effectively is discussed by focusing attention upon the innovative efforts of a multijurisdictional arson control project operating in southern California. Improvements in the detection, arrest, and conviction patterns in the project area for the crime of arson are also discussed.