What is a goal of crime concealment firesetting?

A primary goal of crime concealment firesetting is to hide illegal activities. This type of firesetting involves intentionally setting a fire to destroy evidence, eliminate witnesses, or obscure the location of a crime. When a fire is set with the intention to conceal wrongdoing, it serves the purpose of making it more difficult for investigators to uncover the truth behind illegal actions.

By creating a fire that consumes evidence or distracts from the activities that occurred, the perpetrator aims to obscure any connection to criminal behavior, thereby facilitating their escape from legal consequences. This tactic can range from covering up theft or drug-related crimes to more serious offenses such as assaults or murders, where the act of setting a fire poses additional hurdles in law enforcement’s ability to investigate the crime.

While goals such as gaining profit or seeking revenge might be associated with other forms of arson, they do not specifically encapsulate the intent behind crime concealment firesetting. Similarly, expressing excitement, while a motivation for some firesetters, does not align with the methodical and purposeful approach of concealing criminal activities through fire.