Skip to main content
Log in

Target arson: Update 1991 a study of selected old and new variables

  • Published:
Journal of Economics and Finance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to replicate and extend earlier studies on the impact of economic and sociological variables upon the incidence of arson fires and losses. The data used in this study covered the period from 1960 to 1988. Initially, a total of 180 variables classified generally as either economic or sociological were chosen for inclusion in the study. These variables were selected based upon their inclusion in other studies in which arson is investigated or upon literature suggesting that a variable is related to arson. Fourteen variables were found to have a significant relationship with the incidence of arson fires and losses. Implications for various individuals and government agencies are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • All Industry Research Advisory Council.Arson Incidence Claim Study, Research Report P82-1, Bethesda, MD, March 1982.

  • Bartlett, Kay. “Arson Often Is A Misunderstood Crime.”Jonesboro Arkansas Sun, 2 September 1990, 12a.

    Google Scholar 

  • Basmajian, R. “The Arson Problem.”CPCU Journal 34, no. 2 (June 1981): 111–117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brotman, Billie Ann, andPauline Fox. “The Impact of Economic Conditions on the Incidence of Arson: Comment.”Journal of Risk and Insurance 55, no. 4 (December 1988): 751–754.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cloninger, Dale O. “Arson and Abandonment: A Restatement.”Journal of Risk and Insurance 57, no. 3 (September 1990): 540–545.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunkelberger, J.E. and A.T. Altobellis.Profiling the Woods Burner. Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn University, Bulletin Number 469, May 1975.

  • FEMA.Arson: Resource Exchange Bulletin. January 1981, 20–21.

  • Fox, Pauline. “Insured Fire Losses and the Business Cycle.”Midsouth Journal of Economics and Finance 11, no. 1 (May 1987): 257–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gluck, Harold. “Dealer Security.”World Coin News, 7 February 1984, 204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hershbarger, Robert A., andRonald K. Miller. “The Impact of Economic Conditions on the Incidence of Arson.”Journal of Risk and Insurance 45 (June 1978): 275–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hershbarger, Robert A., andRonald K. Miller. “The Impact of Economic Conditions on the Incidence of Arson: Reply.”Journal of Risk and Insurance 55, no. 4 (December 1988): 755–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Insurance Committee For Arson Control.Target Arson: Update. Chicago, IL, October 1980, 4.

  • Karter, Michael J., Jr., and Allan Donner. “Fire Rates and Census Characteristics: An Analytical Approach.” National Fire Protection Association, July 1977, in Philip S. Schaenman, John R. Hall, Jr., et al.,Improving the Measurement of Local Fire Protection, undated.

  • Murrey, Joe H., Jr., andGeorge Dale. “The Disturbing Economics of Arson: A Growing National Problem.”Midsouth Journal of Economics 5, no. 3 (December 1981): 65–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murrey, Joe H., Jr.,Robert E. Pitts, Dani A. Smith, andKenneth W. Hollman. “The Relationship Between Selected Socioeconomic Variables and Measures of Arson: A Cross-Sectional Study.”Fire Technology 23, no. 1 (February 1987): 60–73, National Fire Protection Association.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Murrey, Joe H., Jr., andKenneth W. Hollman. “The Relationship Between Selected Economic and Sociological Variables in the Incidence of Arson in the United States.”Midsouth Journal of Economics 8, no. 1 (June 1984): 51–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Fire Protection Association.Fire Journal, (September/October 1990): 56–67.

  • 1990 Property/Casualty Insurance Facts. Insurance Information Institute, New York, 1990.

  • Spillman, Thomas C., andThomas A. Zak. “Arson: An Economic Phenomenon?”American Economist 23 (Fall 1979): 37–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Syron, Richard F. “An Analysis of the Collapse of the Normal Market for Fire Insurance in Substandard Urban Core Areas.”Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Research Report No. 49, January 1972.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Murrey, J.H., Tudor, R.K. & Hollman, K.W. Target arson: Update 1991 a study of selected old and new variables. J Econ Finan 16, 47–60 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02919793

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02919793

Keywords

Navigation