NCJ Number
183377
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 44 Issue: 3 Dated: May 1999 Pages: 558-563
Date Published
May 1999
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This study describes prototypical profiles of individuals charged with arson.
Abstract
The study offers preliminary prototypical profiles of the psychotic, mentally retarded, alcohol abusing and mood-disordered firesetter. The study paired off the four groups into “cognitive pathology” (psychotic and mentally retarded) and “affective pathology” (alcohol abusers and mood group) fire-setters. The cognitive pathology pair displayed impaired thinking (whether by a thought disorder or by limited intellect), were relatively older, and had substantial criminal and arson/firesetting histories. The psychotic group also had a substantial history of substance abuse but not of intoxication at the time of the alleged arson and were likely to have been psychotic at the time of the fire. The affective pathology pair displayed loss of emotional control at the time of the alleged arson, whether by intoxicant or by mood. Both groups in this pair were relatively younger, had substance abuse histories, had little criminal history, and were likely to have been intoxicated near or at the time of the alleged arson. The mood group also had a substantial frequency of co-occurring suicidal ideation at the time of the alleged arson. The common feature across diagnostic groups was the vindictive motivation underlying the alleged arson. Tables, references