Abstract

This study compared crime scene actions of serial arsonists with those of non-serial arsonists and analyzed the type of serial arsonists based on crime scene actions. 127 cases was selected through Scientific Crime Analysis System run by Korean National Police Agency. These cases were classified as single arson, spree arson and serial arson. As a result, there are several significant differences. When serial arsonists selected a target, It was opportunistic. They typically walked to the scene of the crime and designed the arson previously. The motive serial arsonists set fires is to gain the psychological gratification or to relieve his stress. Serial arsonits were classified as four types: despair, display, revenge and profit motivated serial arsonists.