Offender and crime characteristics of female serial arsonists in Japan

Wachi, Taeko; Watanabe, Kazumi; Yokota, Kaeko; Suzuki, Mamoru; Hoshino, M.; Sato, Atsushi; Fujita, Goro

doi:10.1002/jip.57

Cited by 37 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Findings from research on spatial characteristics of arsons, which follow from the typological classification proposed by Canter and Fritzon (1998), have demonstrated that instrumental arsonists were likely to travel further from home to commit their crimes on average and were also likely to have a greater distance between their own arson offenses when compared to expressive arsonists (Wachi et al 2007). Furthermore, Kocsis and Irwin (1997) and Curman (2004) have highlighted that serial arsonists are likely to operate relatively close to their residence.…”

Section: Existing Research On Arsonmentioning

confidence: 96%

A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Arson

Grubb

Nobles

2015

Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency

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Objectives: To investigate the characteristics of spatial and temporal patterning of arson incidents in a large urban county. Methods: Using multiyear geocoded crime data from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office (2005 to 2012), arson incidents are analyzed for significant space-time interaction using the Monte Carlo simulation-based Knox method, originally developed for epidemiology research. Several additional contrasts are presented according to situational and routine activities factors that may be implicated in target selection and guardianship efficacy. Results: Evidence illustrates that arson generally exhibits enhanced likelihood of near repeat follow-up incidents in close spatial and temporal proximity to an initiating event. Also, spatiotemporal patterns for arson exhibit systematic differences when contrasting subtypes including residential versus non-residential, daytime versus nighttime, and weekday versus weekend arsons. Conclusions: Comparatively little empirical research has been published in criminology journals concerning this ''invisible'' Uniform Crime Report index crime. This study provides a theoretically informed, aggregate-level examination of trends and patterns for arson in an urban environment. Results may aid in inductive theory building as well as efforts to investigate and prevent arson.

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Section: Existing Research On Arsonmentioning

confidence: 96%

A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Arson

Grubb

Nobles

2015

Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency

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“…The literature is conflicted in this regard. Although firesetters have appeared to be low academic achievers (Anwar et al, 2011) and more likely to be in unskilled employment when compared to non-firesetting comparison groups (Bradford, 1982), contradictory findings have shown no differences between firesetters and nonfiresetters on academic attainment (Harmon et al, 1985;Stewart, 1993;Vaughn et al, 2010;Wachi et al, 2007). Female firesetters' previous engagement with mental health services was 13 notably more likely than the two other comparison groups.…”

Section: Group Differences In Socio-demographic Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Female Fire-Setters: Gender-Associated Psychological and Psychopathological Features

Alleyne¹,

Gannon

Mozova

et al. 2016

Psychiatry

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Objective: Female firesetters are reported to commit nearly a third of deliberately set fires, yet there are limited studies examining the characteristics that distinguish them from suitable comparison groups. The aim of this study is to compare incarcerated female firesetters with incarcerated male firesetters and female offender controls on psychopathological and psychological features that could be targeted via therapeutic interventions.Method: Sixty-five female firesetters, 128 male firesetters, and 63 female offenders were recruited from the prison estate. Participants completed a battery of validated tools assessing psychiatric traits and psychological characteristics (i.e., inappropriate fire interest, emotion/self-regulation, social competence, self-concept, offense-supportive attitudes, and boredom proneness) highlighted in the existing literature.Results: Major depression and an internal locus of control distinguished female firesetters from male firesetters. Alcohol dependence, serious/problematic fire interest, and more effective anger regulation distinguished female firesetters from the female offender control group.Conclusions: This is the first study to examine differences between female firesetters, male firesetters, and female control offenders on both psychopathological features and psychological traits. These findings highlight the gender-specific and offence-specific needs of female firesetters that clinicians need to consider when implementing programs that ensure client responsivity.

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“…As noted previously, several studies have since tested the model by examining the offence actions and background characteristics of arsonists within the established theoretical framework and have found support for Canter and Fritzon's (1998) findings (Hakkanen et al, 2004;Kocsis & Cooksey, 2002;Wachi et al, 2007). However, several differences in the individual offence actions of offenders were noted when the results of those studies were directly compared with the results of Canter and Fritzon's British sample.…”

mentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Since the introduction of Canter and Fritzon's (1998) Faceted Action Systems classification system for arson, 1 many studies have used the model to explain and predict the behaviour of arsonists (Canter, Bennell, Alison, & Reddy, 2003;Fritzon et al, 2001). Scholars have replicated the model with arsonists from around the world, statistically validating Canter and Fritzon's (1998) thematic findings and providing the much-needed empirical support for the application of the action system framework with criminal behaviour (Hakkanen et al, 2004;Kocsis & Cooksey, 2002;Wachi et al, 2007).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Variations in the Offence Actions of Deliberate Firesetters

Fritzon

Doley

Hollows

2013

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol

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Since Canter and Fritzon first introduced their "4D" classification system for arson, many studies have replicated the model with samples of arsonists from around the world. However, scholars have reported differences in the offence actions of arsonists across samples. No study as yet has attempted to statically examine the relevance of these differences. Using multidimensional scaling procedures and two-way chi-square contingency analyses, this study examined whether cross-national differences in arson variables existed between Australian and British arsonists. The results indicated that differences did exist and, furthermore, that differences reflected the environmental characteristics of the country from which each sample was drawn. These findings have important theoretical and clinical implications, particularly for the utility of the "4D" model as an investigatory tool and for the wider arson profiling literature.

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Offender and crime characteristics of female serial arsonists in Japan

Abstract: Abstract

Cited by 37 publications

References 16 publications

A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Arson

A Spatiotemporal Analysis of Arson

Female Fire-Setters: Gender-Associated Psychological and Psychopathological Features

Variations in the Offence Actions of Deliberate Firesetters

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