TRENDS IN ARSON BETWEEN 1955 AND 1974 AND THEIR COSTS ARE EXAMINED. SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE PROBLEMS IN ARSON CASES ARE DISCUSSED AND INVESTIGATIVE TECHNIQUES FOR IDENTIFYING THE CAUSE, DURATION, AND INTENSITY OF FIRES ARE PRESENTED. COMPONENTS OF AN ARSON EVIDENCE PACKAGE ARE LISTED. THE ROLE OF THE INTELLIGENCE UNIT IN THE INVESTIGATION OF ARSON, PARTICULARLY THAT ASSOCIATED WITH ORGANIZED CRIME, IS DISCUSSED. THE ROLE OF INSURANCE COMPANIES IN PREVENTING AND DETECTING ARSON FRAUD IS EXPLORED AND TIPS FOR UNDERWRITERS, CLAIMS ADJUSTERS, CLAIMS MANAGEMENT, LEGAL STAFF, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS WHICH MAY HELP CUT ARSON LOSSES ARE SUGGESTED. POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT COORDINATION IN INVESTIGATIVE EFFORTS IS RECOMMENDED. AN EIGHT AGENCY ARSON TASK FORCE IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, CONSISTING OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE DEPARTMENT, MAYOR'S OFFICE, PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE. THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS DESCRIBED. PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ARSONISTS ARE DISCUSSED; ARSON FOR PROFIT OR REVENGE AND REVENGE AND THE PSYCHOPATHIC AND CHILD FIRE-SETTER ARE ALSO EXAMINED. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DRUG ABUSE AND ARSON IS CONSIDERED. APPLICATION OF A PATTERN-RECOGNITION METHOD IN ARSON INVESTIGATIONS IS DELINEATED. FIRE PREVENTION FOR SMALL COMMUNITIES IS EXPLORED A PROGRAM FOR CHILD FIRESETTERS IS DESCRIBED. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE HIDDEN COSTS OF EMPOYMENT LOSS INVOLVED IN ARSON. IN PART 2, 23 MAJOR FIRES IN HOTELS, TAVERNS, OFFICE BUILDINGS, BUSINESSES, AND INSTITUTIONS ARE DESCRIBED. ALL ARE ARSON-RELATED, AND MANY RESULTED IN SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF LIFE. CASES ARE ACCOMPANIED WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF CONTAINMENT AND RESCUE OPERATIONS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND BRIEF INVESTIGATIVE ANALYSES. (JAP)