Risk Factors for Recidivistic Arson in Adult Offenders

Abstract

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 ...

Juvenile animal cruelty and firesetting behaviour

“…Previous work has examined risk factors for arson, finding that substance misuse and criminal history are predictive of adult offending (Doley et al, ). In addition, prior antisocial behaviour, including deviance, vandalism and aggression, has been correlated with juvenile firesetting (Fineman, ; Slavkin and Fineman, ).…”

An investigation of firesetting recidivism: Factors related to repeat offending

“…Even if such a formula could be derived, the existing literature lacks the consistency required to identify valid risk factors related to recidivistic arson with any confidence (Davis & Lauber, ). Inconsistent definitions of recidivism and variability in sample composition of firesetters pose particular problems for this literature (Doley, Fineman, Fritzon, Dolan, & McEwan, ). In an attempt to help move the field forward, we conducted a study of more than 1,000 people convicted of arson and arson‐related offences over a 10‐year period.…”

“…Despite the existence of few representative studies on the risk factors for repeat firesetting, there are some consistent findings reported (Doley et al ., ). Common factors include: being single (Dickens et al ., ; Rice & Harris, ); having family dysfunction, poor school adjustment, unemployment, personality and psychiatric disturbance but not psychosis (Dickens et al ., ; Doley, ; Rice & Harris, ); younger age at index and at first firesetting, past history of firesetting, early fascination with fire and firesetting alone (Del Bove & Mackay, ; Dickens et al ., ; Rice & Harris, ; Soothill & Pope, ); and history of property crime and general criminal history (Barnett & Spitzer, ; Doley, ; Repo, Virkkunen, Rawlings, & Linnoila, ; Rice & Harris, ; Soothill et al ., ).…”

“…Inconsistent definitions of recidivism and variability in sample composition of firesetters *Correspondence should be addressed to Lauren Ducat, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology & Forensicare,505 Hoddle Street,Clifton Hill,Victoria 3068,Australia (email: lauren.ducat@forensicare.vic.gov.au). pose particular problems for this literature (Doley, Fineman, Fritzon, Dolan, & McEwan, 2011). In an attempt to help move the field forward, we conducted a study of more than 1,000 people convicted of arson and arson-related offences over a 10-year period.…”

An evaluation of a specialist firesetting treatment programme for male and female mentally disordered offenders (the FIP‐MO)

“…Historically, clinicians appear to have presumed that firesetters as a population are generalist offenders due to their diverse criminal histories and shared characteristics with other offenders (Doley, Fineman, Fritzon, Dolan, & McEwan, 2011;Gannon & Pina, 2010). Subsequently, it appears that firesetters' treatment needs have been presumed to be met via general offending behaviour programmes (e.g., social skills and cognitive skills programmes), evidenced by the lack of focus on developing offence-specific interventions for this population (Gannon et al, 2013;Gannon & Pina, 2010;Palmer, Caulfield, & Hollin, 2007).…”