Arson is classified as what type of offense in FBI coding?

Arson is classified as what type of offense in FBI coding?

• A. The illegal burning or exploding of property
• B. The unauthorized burning of property with intent to cause damage
• C. The intentional burning or exploding of property
• D. The vandalism of property without fire

Answer: (C)

Arson in FBI coding is defined by the intent to burn or explode property. The essential element is willful or malicious action—fires caused accidentally aren’t arson. Therefore describing it as the intentional burning or exploding of property matches the official definition. The alternatives introduce qualifiers like “illegal” or “unauthorized” or describe vandalism without fire, which do not capture the required intentional act to burn.

Arson in FBI coding is defined by the intent to burn or explode property. The essential element is willful or malicious action—fires caused accidentally aren’t arson. Therefore describing it as the intentional burning or exploding of property matches the official definition. The alternatives introduce qualifiers like “illegal” or “unauthorized” or describe vandalism without fire, which do not capture the required intentional act to burn.