The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) both include the term willful and malicious burning of property in their definitions of arson; however, many states have drafted their own definitions and statutes relating to arson. 

For this assignment, you will research your own state’s definition, statutes, and laws pertaining to arson. 

You will then write a well-organized essay about arson that addresses, at a minimum, the areas described below. 

Begin with an introduction to arson that includes discussion of the basic elements of proof needed to classify a fire as arson. 

Identify differences between arson and incendiary fires. Compare and contrast your state’s definition and process of arson investigation to those of the NFPA and FBI.

 Identify areas of your state’s statutes where you feel improvement is needed to cover areas not currently addressed. 

Your essay should be a minimum of two pages in length, not counting the title and reference pages. You must use a minimum of three sources, one of which may be your textbook. All sources used will be properly cited. Your essay, including all references, will be formatted in APA style.