(01-09-2020, 01:28 AM)flyboy77 date Wrote:https://www.aic.gov.au/publications/bfab/bfab059What is the general public's perceived definition of arson, and what is the official definition of arson?
It's a real problem.
Harsher penalties a must.
When News Ltd report arson, I bet the bulk of readers think somebody sneaking around setting fires, when the greens report arson I suspect their definition probably includes some poor bastard who's tractor or lawnmower catches fire fringing a state forest, in other words those they see as environmental vandals and want to label as criminals.
When reading an emotive term like "arson" it's best to qualify that thought before jumping to conclusions.
50% of fire are deliberate or suspicious, what does suspicious cover, everything from a mower, grinder, electric fence or welder to a cigarette butt I presume?
I remember years ago the authorities refused to accept a link between dumping rubbish on roadsides and fires, but then the CSIRO proved that discarded glass(intact or smashed) could start a fire unassisted. So is a rubbish dumper an arsonist?
This is so reminiscent of the discussion we had in another thread about football statistics.
"Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck ....... Ruck, ruck, ruck, ruck"