Arson is the crime of deliberately and maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires caused by lightning for example. The study of the causes is the subject of fire investigation. Fires set to the property of another or to one's own property may be for an improper purpose, such as to collect insurance compensation.

Common law

Arson (or fire-raising, as it is known in Scotland) is defined as "the malicious burning of the dwelling of another" " in common law.

The prosecutor must prove each element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.

Arson was punished at common law as a felony in the eighteenth century. The destruction of an unoccupied building was not considered as arson, "1ince arson protected habitation, the burning of an unoccupied house did not constitute arson." Furthermore, "2he burning of one's own dwelling to collect insurance did not constitute common law arson. It was generally assumed in early England that one had the legal right to destroy his own property in any manner he chose."

United States

In the U.S., the common law elements of arson are often varied in different jurisdictions. For example, the element of "dwelling" is no longer required in most states, and arson occurs by the burning of any real property without consent or with unlawful intent.

Arson is prosecuted with attention to degree of severity in the alleged offense. First degree arson generally occurs when persons are harmed or killed in the course of the fire, while second degree arson occurs when significant destruction of property occurs. Arson may also be prosecuted as a misdemeanor, "criminal mischief", or "destruction of property." Burglary also occurs, if the arson involved a "breaking and entering". A criminal may be sentenced to death penalty if arson occurred as a method of homicide, as was the recent case in Texas of Cameron Willingham.

England and Scotland

In English law, arson was a common law offence which was recently defined again and codified by the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

In Scots Law, the term "fire raising" has always been used instead of "arson", but their meanings are the same.

See also

portal: Large bonfire.jpg

• ATF Fire Research Laboratory
• Firebombing
• Fire investigation
• Gävle goat
• Herostratus
• Incendiary device
• Pyromania
• Reckless burning
• Wildfire
• Woodbine Building Supply arson
• John Leonard Orr

References

• White, J. & Dalby, J. T., 2000. Arson. In D. Mercer, T. Mason, M. McKeown, G. McCann (Eds) Forensic Mental Health Care. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingston. ISBN 0-443-06140-8