SERIAL KILLER MIND

Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 60 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Search Warrant Suggestions Literature, writings, paraphernalia pertaining to a group or cause; manuals and diagrams if an incendiary device was used (how-to books) Incendiary device components, travel records, sales receipts, credit card statements, bank records indicating purchases Flammable materials, liquids, and containers used to transport the accelerants to the scene

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 59 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Investigative Considerations The extremist offender is frequently readily identified with the cause or group in question when friends, family, and other associates are interviewed. The offender may have previous police contact or an arrest record for violations such as trespassing, criminal mischief, or civil rights violations. Post- offense claims should undergo threat assessment examination to determine authenticity.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 58 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Common Forensic Findings. The general arson outline at the beginning of this chapter details more common forensic findings. Extremist arsonists of- ten are more sophisticated offenders and may use incendiary devices.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 57 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   When confronted with obvious overkill in setting the fire, investigators should be aware of the possibility of extreme concentrations of flammable or combustible materials used to set the fires. Unexploded incendiary devices may be found at the scene.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 56 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Offenders may leave some form of message (for example, spray-painted symbols or slogans or literature supporting their cause) at the crime scene. Symbolic messages often indicate younger offenders. Communiqués are sometimes delivered orally or in writing to the media claiming responsibility or attempting to justify the violent act.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 55 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Crime Scene Indicators Frequently Noted. The crime scene reflects an organized and focused attack by the offender. Multiple offenders are common to this arson. These offenders frequently employ incendiary devices, such as Molotov cocktails, which offer both offender and forensic information.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 54 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Examples of targets are research laboratories, slaughterhouses, and fur stores burned by animal rights groups; abortion clinics targeted by extremist right-to-life groups; businesses targeted by unions; religious institutions targeted by individuals holding contrasting beliefs; and groups or individuals targeted by political extremist organizations who seek to intimidate or eradicate racial, religious, political, or sexual-oriented opponents.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 53 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Defining Characteristics Victimology. Analysis of the targeted property is essential in the determination of the specific motive for extremist arson. The target usually represents the antithesis of the offender’s belief.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 52 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N 250: EXTREMIST-MOTIVATED ARSON Extremist-motivated arson is committed to further a social, political, or religious cause. The types of arson in this category are terrorism (251), discrimination (252), riots/civil disturbance (253), and other (259).

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 51 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Outcome The owner was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to eight years in state prison. He was found to have an extensive criminal record, which included previous arson-for-profit schemes, as well as mail fraud and a host of minor offenses stretching throughout his adult life.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 50 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Several of the items listed on the formal sworn claim submitted to the insurance company by the owner were subsequently found in two storage lockers. In one of the storage lockers, deputies found an expensive automobile that had been reported stolen.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 49 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Investigation Shortly after the fire, the owner of the home submitted a claim to the insurance company. The insurance company subsequently paid the owner $12,000 in advance claims, over $51,000 to the mortgage holders, and nearly $7,000 to clean up the site.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 48 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Forensic Findings The carpeting that had been located under the washer and dryer was burned in a manner indicating that flammable liquid had flowed underneath the machines. Furthermore, the investigators found burned studs showing that the fire had been hottest near the floor. They concluded that flammable liquid had been distributed in the kitchen, the living room, the two bedrooms, and the den.

Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 47 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Crime Scene Indicators When examining the fire scene, arson investigators found burn patterns that indicated a flammable liquid had been used to accelerate the fire throughout the house, patterns that were inconsistent with an accidental fire.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 46 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N The buyer had obtained a policy insuring the dwelling for $171,000, the contents for $85,000, and $24,000 for additional living expenses in case of fire.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 45 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Victimology Although the property had been purchased only nine months before the fire, there were four trust deeds. The total purchase price was $271,000. The buyer had made a $5,000 cash down payment to the previous owner but never made any further payments.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 44 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Witnesses to the fire noticed that the owner was fully dressed at such an early hour and that he appeared very calm, even after the fire had completely destroyed his home. By the time fire units arrived, the fire had totally destroyed his house; all that was left standing was the fireplace chimney.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 43 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N CASE STUDY: 241.01: INSURANCE FRAUD Background Early one summer morning, the owner of a rural residence drove to a neighbor’s home and asked that the fire department be called. He told neighbors that he had discovered a fire in his house, but his telephone was out of service, so he could not report it himself. He then drove back to his burning home.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 42 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   If evidence of fuel or air explosion (gasoline vapor and ambient air mixture at sufficient temperature) at the scene, check emergency rooms for patients with burn injuries (this type of explosion does not occur in accidental fires). Determine condition of utilities (gas, electric) as soon as possible (eliminate gas, the common accidental cause of fires).

    Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 41 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Search Warrant Suggestions Check financial records: worksheets, loan records, credit history, accountant’s books, bank records, income tax forms, bank deposit tickets, canceled checks, check stubs.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 40 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Payment of bills by cashier’s check or money order Alleged renovations Sales between related parties Negative cash flow but with appearance of continued financial health

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 39 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Costly lease or rental agreements Large number of overdue bills Inability to pay current bills (such as utilities or telephone) Credit limits imposed by lenders

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 38 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Frequent change of ownership preceding fire Use of photocopies instead of original source documents Personal Bounced checks

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 37 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Two sets of books maintained Prior year losses Prior insurance claims Duplicate sales invoices Alleged renovations

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 36 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Hypothetical assets, liens on assets, overinsured assets Inventory levels: removal prior to fire, overstocking caused by overproduction, exaggeration of loss Litigation against business or owners Bankruptcy proceedings  

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 35 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Costly lease or rental agreements Unprofitable contracts, loss of key customer Failure to record depreciation Personal expenses paid with corporate funds Bounced checks

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 34 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Business Decreasing revenue Increasing production costs New technology making current processes or equipment inadequate

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 33 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   A recent change of ownership or increase in insurance policy should raise suspicion. The investigator should look for any of the following indicators of financial difficulties if arson for profit is suspected:

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 32 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   The offender’s preoffense conversations with others may offer indications of premeditation; for example, a subject planning to burn his business might tell workers to remove their personal effects the day before the fire breaks out.  

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 31 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N The offender generally lives more than one mile from the crime scene. Many arsonists for profit are accompanied to the crime scene, and most leave the scene and do not return.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 30 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   The torch for hire will likely have a prior arrest record for offenses such as burglary, assault, public intoxication, and possibly even a previous arson.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 29 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   The torch operates as an agent for the primary offender, who contracts for the torch’s services and is the dominant personality in the total offense. The typical primary offender for commercial fires may have no police record.

Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 28 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N   Investigative Considerations The typical primary offender in this category is an adult male with ten or more years of formal education; this may vary, however. A secondary offender is the “torch for hire,” who most frequently is a male, twenty-five to forty years of age, and usually unemployed.

  Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 27 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Because the use of incendiary devices is common with this arson, components of these devices, such as initiators, electrical timers, timing devices, and candles, are additional findings that may assist the investigator.

Crime Classification Manual Part II Chapter 7 B 26 A STANDARD SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING AND CLASSIFYING VIOLENT CRIMES SECOND EDITIO N Common Forensic Findings. A common forensic finding with arson for profit is the use of sophisticated accelerants (water-soluble accelerants such as alcohol) or mixtures (such as gasoline with diesel fuel or kerosene).