Recidivism and Concomitant Criminality in Pathological Firesetters

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore dangerousness and fire setting recidivism of mentally disordered firesetters in comparison with mentally healthy arsonists. In Germany, all trials are registered centrally by the Federal Central Register. The records of this Register for the three year period from 1983 until 1985 were used in this follow-up study of arsonists to identify three samples of subjects: (1) All persons convicted of arson who have been found not guilty by reasons of insanity (n = 186), (2) all person convicted of arson who have been found guilty of diminished responsibility (n = 97), and (3) a random selection from all persons convicted of arson who have had no psychiatric examination in their trial (n = 187). The follow-up ended in 1994, providing a period of, on average, ten years. Mentally disordered arsonists differed from non-mentally disordered arsonists in the following ways: They were more likely, first, to have a history of arson before 1983, and secondly, to be convicted of arson again (11% relapse compared to 4%). Mentally disordered arsonists had fewer registrations of common offenses, such as theft as well as traffic violations and alcohol-related offenses. Based on the present sample, mentally disordered firesetters have a higher rate of recurrence of firesetting than non-mentally disordered firesetters and commit fewer common offenses other than firesetting.

Explanations of Firesetting in Mentally Disordered Offenders: A Review of the Literature

“…The most prevalent symptoms included delusions (35.2%), psychosis (33.8%), paranoia (29.6%), depression (25.4%), and suicidality (11.3%). The presence of a mental illness has also been consistently reported in the literature as a risk factor for repeat firesetting (Barnett, Richter, Sigmund, & Spitzer, 1997;Dickens, Sugarman et al, 2009;Lindberg et al, 2005;O'Sullivan & Kelleher, 1987). Clearly, more definitive research is required in order to explore the exact links between mental health and firesetting.…”

“…However, compared to non-mentally disordered firesetters, mentally disordered firesetters appear to be older (Barker, 1994;Barnett et al, 1997;Smith & Short, 1995). It has been suggested that this difference in age is due to the fact that psychiatric illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia and personality disorders) have a propensity to onset in early adulthood (Smith & Short, 1995).…”

“…However, there is a general consensus that firesetters are, in the main, a dangerous group of offenders who are highly likely to repeat this behavior . Mentally disordered firesetters are believed to be more likely to re-offend than non-mentally disordered firesetters (Barnett et al, 1997), and research in this area has provided support for this assumption (Philipse, Koeter, van der Staak & van den Brink, 2006). Rates of recidivism for mentally disordered firesetters were found to range between 4% (Barnett et al, 1997) and 43% (Geller & Bertsch, 1985).…”

“…Mentally disordered firesetters are believed to be more likely to re-offend than non-mentally disordered firesetters (Barnett et al, 1997), and research in this area has provided support for this assumption (Philipse, Koeter, van der Staak & van den Brink, 2006). Rates of recidivism for mentally disordered firesetters were found to range between 4% (Barnett et al, 1997) and 43% (Geller & Bertsch, 1985). In a sample of 14 psychiatric in-patients detained for firesetting in a state hospital, Geller (1984) found that over a third had set fires prior to their index offense.…”

Risk Factors for Recidivistic Arson in Adult Offenders

“…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.…”