Revenge , which can include personal, societal, institutional or group retaliation. Crime Concealment . Arson is a useful tool, and can aid and abet a primary crime being committed. That crime can range from theft to homicide, with the fire being used to hide the crime. Arsonists can either profit directly from setting the fire, by collecting on an insurance policy, for example, or indirectly by eliminating a money-losing business.
Arson can be a weapon for political purposes.
Targets include politically controversial sites, such as abortion clinics and mink farms. Interview Strategies Besides physical indicators, there is a wealth of information that can be obtained from witnesses who are at the scene during firefighting operations. These are very crucial witnesses, because they may have valuable information, but are probably going to leave the premises as soon as the fire is over and there isn t anything left to watch. The first-due officer can approach these people and try to learn if anyone has information that could be of value and whether further investigation is needed. If no effort is made to talk to these people, the critical information they might have is going to walk away when they do.