Recidivism and dangerousness in arsonists

Dickens, Geoffrey L.; Sugarman, Philip; Edgar, Simon; Hofberg, Kristina; Tewari, Sidhartha; Ahmad, Farooq

doi:10.1080/14789940903174006

Cited by 52 publications

(80 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…For example, research indicates that fire interest is one factor that increases the likelihood of an individual setting deliberate fires (Dickens et al, 2009). Furthermore, a small number of practice reports suggest that firesetters show short-term reductions in fire interest and firerelated attitudes following fire-specific treatment experiences (Clare, Murphy, Cox, & FIRESETTING CHARACTERISTICS 5 Chaplin, 1992;Taylor et al, 2002).…”

Section: Firesetting Characteristics 3 Male Imprisoned Firesetters Hamentioning

confidence: 99%

Male Imprisoned Firesetters Have Different Characteristics Than Other Imprisoned Offenders and Require Specialist Treatment

Gannon¹,

Ciardha²,

Barnoux³

et al. 2013

Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes

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Section: Firesetting Characteristics 3 Male Imprisoned Firesetters Hamentioning

confidence: 99%

Male Imprisoned Firesetters Have Different Characteristics Than Other Imprisoned Offenders and Require Specialist Treatment

Gannon¹,

Ciardha²,

Barnoux³

et al. 2013

Psychiatry: Interpersonal and Biological Processes

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“…Research suggests that one important risk factor for firesetting relates to an interest in or fascination with fire (Dickens et al, 2009;Gannon & Barrowcliffe, in press). It is important here to differentiate fire interest from the diagnosis of Pyromania which is rarely utilized by consulting professionals due to a narrow scope of diagnosis criteria (i.e., no other motivators, diagnoses, or judgment impairment may be present; see…”

Section: Psychological Vulnerabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF)

Gannon

Ciardha

Doley

et al. 2012

Aggression and Violent Behavior

104

163

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Section: Risk Factors For Recidivistic Arson In Adult Offendersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dickens, Sugarman et al, (2009) examined differences between repeat and one-time fire-setters across a range of variables using data amassed over a 24-year period. It was found that while feelings of excitement and tension were evident more frequently in the repeat fire-setter group, overall it was not a common feature for this sample.…”

Section: Offence-related Emotional Statesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, some factors have been found to be relevant in differentiating repeat and one-time arsonists. In discussing risk factors it is necessary to consider those issues that relate to likelihood of further fire setting as well as those that specifically concern level of harm caused by the fire (Dickens, Sugarman, Edgar et al, 2009). It is likely that differences in rates may be due to population differences with mentally disordered samples perhaps exhibiting somewhat lower rates as a result of positive response to psychotherapeutic/pharmacological interventions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Risk Factors for Recidivistic Arson in Adult Offenders

Doley

Fineman

Fritzon

et al. 2011

Psychiatry, Psychology and Law

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This article reviews the current literature on known risk factors for recidivistic arson, with a particular focus on factors that could be used to differentiate serial from 'one-off' arson offenders. The relevance of risk factors for general reoffending to recidivistic arson is discussed, including the role of criminal history, mental illness, and sociodemographic factors. The specific roles of offence related affect, cognitions, and the offender's interest in fire are considered, with recommendations for how theories from other areas of forensic psychology, such as the sex offender assessment and treatment literature, might be applied to the issue of deliberate fire-setting. Finally, protective factors are briefly discussed and the need for a structured risk assessment tool for deliberate fire-setters is canvassed. Given that research into risk and recidivism in fire-setting is underdeveloped, suggestions are made throughout the review for the focus of future research into risk factors for serial arson. consider what is known about factors associated with risk of repeat (serial) fire-setting behaviour in adult offenders. For the purposes of discussion, the terms "arson" and "firesetting" will be used interchangeably throughout although it is acknowledged that arson is a legal definition while fire-setting describes the behaviour itself.The issue of differentiating between serial and one-time arsonists has not been well canvassed in the literature. There are inherent difficulties with this distinction oriented around the secretive nature of the offence and the difficulties in detecting and apprehending firesetters. It seems likely that an individual's first fire-related conviction is not likely to be their first fire offence, but we rely on self-report data, with all the limitations this implies, to lend weight to that hypothesis. Nevertheless, some factors have been found to be relevant in differentiating repeat and one-time arsonists. In discussing risk factors it is necessary to consider those issues that relate to likelihood of further fire setting as well as those that specifically concern level of harm caused by the fire (Dickens, Sugarman, Edgar et al., 2009). It is likely that differences in rates may be due to population differences with mentally disordered samples perhaps exhibiting somewhat lower rates as a result of positive response to psychotherapeutic/pharmacological interventions. However, it appears that mental disorder in and of itself is not necessarily predictive of reoffending generally (see Barnett, Richter, et al., 1997). Certainly, at least one review has queried support for the notion of arsonists as dangerous recidivists (Brett, 2004) and, in general, it appears that arsonists will typically commit more than one arson offence, but that previous arson offending is not necessarily prognostic of future arson activity.The literature on repeat fire-setting has been hampered in part by inconsistent definitions of recidivism and contrasting sources of data. Some authors have relied on ...

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Recidivism and dangerousness in arsonists

Cited by 52 publications

References 38 publications

Male Imprisoned Firesetters Have Different Characteristics Than Other Imprisoned Offenders and Require Specialist Treatment

Male Imprisoned Firesetters Have Different Characteristics Than Other Imprisoned Offenders and Require Specialist Treatment

The Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF)

Risk Factors for Recidivistic Arson in Adult Offenders

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