Arson is “any intentional or malicious fire or attempt to burn, with or without intent to defraud, a dwelling, a public building, a motor vehicle or an aircraft, [or] the personal property of another” (Bartol & Bartol, 2011. P 463). Arson comes in many forms: minors vandalizing property, businesses trying to collect insurance money, and murderers hiding their crimes are just some of the examples of arson that investigators deal with. The reasons why arson is committed and the psychology behind arson are as diverse as the crime itself. There is no perfect psychological profile of an arsonist. Young, old, educated, illiterate, sane, crazy, rich and poor, anyone can become an arsonist. With such a wide range of suspicious characteristics, investigating arson is not an easy job and becomes more difficult with the knowledge that much evidence can be destroyed in an arson. Who commits arson? According to some studies, between 75 and 85 percent of all arson fires are caused by men (Bartol & Bartol). According to the UCR, of all arsons committed in 2009, people under the age of 18 committed 34.7 percent of those in which arrests were made and cases were cleared up. Young people are more likely to set arson for the sake of vandalism, excitement or seeking attention (Douglas, et al, 2006). Those minors who continue to commit arson into adulthood have often been punished with fire or heat as children, and may view fire as an acceptable form of retaliation (Bartol and Bartol). Adults most likely often set fires for monetary gain, such as insurance fraud, but other motives abound as well (Bartol & Bartol). Revenge, vandalism, concealment or diversion of crime, intimidation, terrorism and sabotage are all reasons why fires are set. Many of these...... middle of paper...... Retrieved from http://cumming.patch.com/articles/jill-smith-accused-of-killing-husband-a-no-show - in courtKomarnitsky, S.J. (2008, December 16). The accelerant spilled around Palin's church. Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved from http://www.adn.com/2008/12/15/623876/accelerant-poered-around-palins.htmlLeDuc, V. E. (2005, September 12). "Serial Arsonist" Thomas Sweatt Sentenced to Life in Prison for Setting 45 Residential Fires in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia: The Fires Caused Two Deaths [Press Release]. Retrieved September 24, 2011, from the U.S. Department of Justice website: http://www.justice.gov/usao/md/Public-Affairs/press_releases/press05/SweattSentencePR.pdfScarborough, S. (2006, December 22) . The killer tried to use arson to cover up the 1993 murder. Central Arizona. Retrieved from http://www.azcentral.com/specials/special14/articles/1222coldcase1222.html