Serial Arson and Fire-Related Crime Factors

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

“…In particular, in line with previous research, we hypothesized that firesetters would show higher levels of fire interest (Dickens et al, 2009;Clare et al, 1992;Taylor et al, 2002), less fire safety awareness, more identification with fire (Haines et al, 2006) and higher levels of fire-supportive attitudes (Clare et al, 1992;Taylor et al, 2002). We also hypothesized that firesetters would exhibit more problems with anger and provocation (see Rix, 1994;Hurley & Monaham, 1969), less general assertiveness, and higher levels of emotional loneliness (Hurley & Monaham, 1969;Rice & Chaplin, 1979), lower levels of general self-esteem (Swaffer et al, 2001), a higher external locus of control associated with low self-esteem, and more boredom proneness (Sapp et al, 1999). We also included a measure of general criminal attitudes and associates, which we did not expect to differentiate firesetters from other offenders if these groups were matched adequately on previous numbers of offenses/criminality.…”

“…Nevertheless, theorists have drawn upon these findings to suggest that in the context of perceived ineffectiveness (i.e., low social competency and self worth) and anger or frustration, individuals characterized by fire interest will use deliberate firesetting to facilitate positive social and environmental changes . Finally, some professionals have suggested that boredom may represent a key experience facilitating firesetting activity (Perrin-Wallqvist, Archer, & Norlander, 2004;Sapp, Huff, Gary, & Icove, 1999). However, boredom proneness has not been adequately tested as a key psychological variable that may differentiate firesetters from non-firesetters.…”

Geographic profiling as a novel spatial tool for targeting infectious disease control

“…The methods underlying GP depend on two concepts, (i) distance decay and (ii) the buffer zone [ 22 ]. Distance decay results from the fact that travel requires effort, time and/or money, and that most crimes thus tend to occur relatively close to the criminal's home; for example, 70% of arsons occur within two miles of a serial arsonist's home [ 27 ]. Similar constraints operate in infectious disease epidemiology where the probability of transmission declines with distance from an infected host [ 19 ].…”

Commentary regarding the March 18, 1883 column in the New York Times: “The dispensation of dynamite”.

“…Usually following a highly publicized act of mass violence, we see and hear in the media, “Authorities are still looking for a motive .” Well the motive may simply be the oldest one in the book: revenge—the need for which is born out of the underlying emotion of anger (Sapp, Huff, Kelm, & Tunkel, 2001). The bombers who need to strike out and express this emotion are inherently angry men.…”