Lesson 4 - Crime Case Studies Involving Arson and Explosives

Crime Case Studies Involving Arson Explosives

In December 1991, an activist group called the Animal Liberation Front committed an arson attack against a fish company in Edmonton, Alberta. The deliberately set fire caused $46 000 damage and ironically killed several live lobsters and crabs.

The leader of the Branch Davidian religious sect in Waco, Texas, was accused of practicing polygamy with underage brides, physically abusing children, and stockpiling illegal weapons. Federal law enforcement agents conducted a raid on their compound in February 1993. This initial raid resulted in the deaths of four law enforcement officers and six Davidians. Fifty-one days later, during which time 24-hour surveillance was being conducted, CS tear gas was released into the compound. In an act of defiance, the Davidians set fire to their compound, killing 79 people, 21 of whom were children.