The Intentional Lighting of a Fire - Research Paper Example

Malice must be proven. In a sense that is what makes arson so difficult to prove.
However, the main thing that makes arson so difficult to prove is that the fire consumes much of the evidence. After a fire, there is very little left for investigators to decide about. Often they must work backward and look at the pattern of the fire. One of the key things that makes a fire suspicious is the quantity and type of insurance money available and what the motive might be. If this looks suspicious then investigators will do what they can to determine if the fire is arson or not. But this is not an easy job. The source of the fire is key to making such a determination. If it appears to have started in the wiring, it is unlikely to be arson. But if it started in the middle of the living room, it is harder to prove.