Arson murder on the rise, says new study

Murder by fire is on the rise.

Although the national murder rate is declining, the prevalence of arson-homicide has increased by 44 per cent in the past decade.

A new study by the Australian Institute of Criminology found there were 123 arson-homicide incidents, involving 170 victims and 131 offenders, between 1989 to 2010.

Criminologists place arson-homicides in two categories - fires lit to destroy evidence of a crime such as murder (around a third of cases), and fires lit to cause deliberate harm.

The study says arson-related homicide remain comparatively rare, with an average of six cases a year.

But they are of interest because of the potential for multiple victims.

There are some particular characteristics of arson-homicide: more than half of all victims (57 per cent) were known to the offender, either as an intimate partner, family member or friend.

In 41.5 per cent of cases, there was evidence of preparation such as acquisition of petrol or other incendiary material.

More than half of all incidents (65 per cent) occurred at the victim's home.

Most incidents (83.2 per cent) featured just one victim. The Childers backpackers hostel fire in 2000 claimed 15 lives.

About a quarter of offenders were deemed mentally ill but few had a previously known record of arson.

Few (4.6 per cent) were motivated by financial gain.

The study said the figures indicated that in most cases offenders were intent of causing deliberate harm, a conclusion supported by their prior planning and targeting of victims.