Journal Published Online: 01 July 1999
Volume 44, Issue 4

Psychiatric Aspects of Arsonists

CODEN: JFSCAS

Abstract

Arson is a major source of property damage, injury and death in the United States. Many people who commit arson have extensive psychiatric histories and symptoms at the time of their fire-setting. However, traditionally the law enforcement community and the mental health community have not shared information about the characteristics of people who set fires.

This study examined mental health records and/or prison files from 283 arsonists. 90% of arsonists had recorded mental health histories, and of those 36% had the major mental illness of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. 64% were abusing alcohol or drugs at the time of their firesetting. Pyromania was only diagnosed in three of the 283 cases.

Different motives for setting fires are discussed: many patients were both angry and delusional. A survey instrument, which captures both psychiatric and legal data, is included. Suggestions are made for gathering future “profiling” information. A matrix approach to coding diagnosis and behavior is presented.

Author Information

Ritchie, EC
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC
Huff, TG
National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Quantico, VA
Pages: 8
Price: $25.00
Related
Reprints and Permissions
Reprints and copyright permissions can be requested through the
Copyright Clearance Center
Details
Stock #: JFS14546J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS14546J