Risk factors for recidivistic arson in adult offenders

Rebekah Doley, Bond University
Kenneth Fineman, University of California - Irvine
Katarina Fritzon, Bond University
Mairead Dolan, Monash University
Troy E. McEwan, Monash University

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Doley, R., Fineman, K., Fritzon, K., Dolan, M., & McEwan, T. (2011). Risk factors for recidivistic arson in adult offenders. Psychology, psychiatry and law, 18(3), 409-423.

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2011 HERDC submission. FoR code: 170104

© Copyright The Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law, 2011

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 ‘‘oneoff’’ 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 firsetters is canvassed. Given that research into risk and recidivism in firesetting is underdeveloped, suggestions are made throughout the review for the focus of future research into risk factors for serial arson.