The Arsonist Profiles: Analyzing Arson Motives and Behaviour

A must read for any arson investigator and prosecutor involved in such cases.

The author, Detective Ed Nordskog is an internationally recognized expert on arson, serial arson, criminal bombers and arsonists. The Arsonist Profiles is his third book describing the unique crimes of arson and serial arson, and the individuals who commit them.

Ed Norskog has laboriously researched the history of arson investigation and profiling attempts in this odd field, and has dispelled many myths and psychiatric misconceptions. He based this book on his 2,000+ arson investigations and his study of thousands more as an international expert in the “human aspect” of arson investigation.

In The Arsonist Profiles, Det. Ed Nordskog breaks down the motives of arson and the sub-types within the motives. He talks about the “red flags of arson”, staging arson scenes, targeting methods of arsonists, pattern analysis and incendiary device analysis. Nordskog describes the sub-types of arsonists to include; females, juveniles, gang/organized crime groups, profit related arson, extremist groups, and the most common motive of all, the revenge based arsonists. As usual Nordskog tells his stories through detailed analysis of his own arson investigations and from those of other recognized investigators in the field. The short case histories are raw and honest and highlight both the good and bad of arson investigation and the criminal justice system.

This book is Ed’s most popular to date and has been referenced in several court trials. It has solidified Ed’s reputation as one of the few experts in the world on arsonists and serial arsonists.  The Arsonist Profiles is a natural follow-up by Nordskog to his first two books; “Torchered Minds-Case histories of notorious serial arsonists”; and “Fireraisers, Freaks, and Fiends-Obsessive Arsonists in the California foothills”.