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PubMed1997

Non-referral of psychopathological child firesetters to mental health services.

The present study attempted to determine if those children with significant psychopathology were referred to mental health services after having initially been referred to the fire department. On file at the Portland Fire Department were 30 child firesetters whose parent or guardian had completed the Child Behavior Checklist. The CBCL had not been scored prior to the fire department's treatment referral, or prior to our review of the files. Significant psychopathology, determined after the CBCL had been scored, was not a determinant of future referral for mental health services. Thus, there is a need for fire departments and mental health professionals to work collaboratively to determine the appropriate treatment referral for child firesetters.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Fire and behavior: exploring intrapsychic trauma in arson survivors.

Fire, one of the four mighty elements of life, along with earth, air, and water, has long been one of the most destructive, fascinating, and useable forces for those who would wreak havoc on the lives of others. A pervasive and significant public health problem for many families, arson-related fires cause the loss of hundreds of lives each year and thousands suffer burns and many other injuries as a result of these crimes. Arson that results in loss of life and property may result in an altered world view and produce other complicated issues for survivors to navigate.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Child fatalities in Scottish house fires 1980-1990: a case of child neglect?

This paper considers 168 child (< 17 years) fatalities killed in house fires in Scotland. Data were obtained from the records retained by the procurators fiscal, as part of a survey into all Scottish fire fatalities during the period 1980 to 1990. Although these fires were generally perceived as being tragic "accidents," we conclude that they were largely a direct result of the activities of adults in the home. We analyze this in terms of contemporaneous supervision and the child-care environment. The role of alcohol in domestic fires is particularly important. Behavioral patterns of parents and caregivers are seen to be placing children in a very high risk category and fatality rate could be significantly reduced if behavior was modified to reduce the risk. Whether these considerations imply "neglect" is partly a question of definition. It is important to recognize that the fire safety message could usefully be integrated within a more general child care or family welfare scheme. Front line professionals in these fields are ideally placed to convey this message and to make a contribution towards reducing the risk of children being killed or injured in fire.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Young arsonists, psychopathology and follow-up aspects].

Relatively infrequent (2% of offences in France) the arson behavior (1989, 11,149 acts with an elucidation of 35%) is highly diffused as recent events have shown (forest fire, shops, cars in suburbs). A population of 30 young firesetters, under 25 years shows a great frequency of social parental failure with weak intellectual and scholar levels, but with less obvious pathologic states. Since 1981, the non referring to a criminal court show that this delinquency is linked with other offences. Educational care and psychotherapeutic sid allow a possible evolution to avoid backsliding.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Factors associated with recidivism in a criminal population.

The present study is a follow-up of a sample of 348 men convicted of manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, or arson who were released from incarceration. Multiple factors assessed at the time of incarceration, including demographic, behavioral, family history, and biochemical variables, and psychiatric diagnoses were used in an attempt to discriminate between those who became recidivists during the follow-up period and those who did not. Violent recidivism was most strongly associated (sensitivity of 90%) with impulsivity of the original crime in killers and attempted killers; for arsonists, having made a suicide attempt was the strongest predictor (68% sensitivity). For predictive purposes, both single factor associations and multiple entries into discriminant analysis produced too many false-positives, i.e., the high rate of false designation as recidivist remained a problem.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

CSF biochemistries, glucose metabolism, and diurnal activity rhythms in alcoholic, violent offenders, fire setters, and healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: There is an extensive literature describing a central serotonin deficit in alcoholic, impulsive, violent offenders and fire setters. In the present study, we investigated biochemical concomitants of impulsivity and aggressiveness, and the physiological consequences of reduced central serotonin turnover. METHODS: Forty-three impulsive and 15 nonimpulsive alcoholic offenders and 21 healthy volunteers were studied in the forensic psychiatry ward of a university psychiatric department. The subjects underwent lumbar punctures and oral glucose and aspartame challenges, and their diurnal activity rhythm was measured with physical activity monitors. Discriminant function analyses were used to investigate psychophysiological and biochemical concomitants of aggressive and impulsive behaviors. RESULTS: Alcoholic, impulsive offenders with antisocial personality disorder had low mean cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and corticotropin levels and high mean CSF testosterone concentrations. Compared with healthy volunteers, they showed increased physical activity during the daytime. Alcoholic, impulsive offenders with intermittent explosive disorder had a low mean CSF 5-HIAA concentration and blood glucose nadir after an oral glucose challenge, and desynchronized diurnal activity rhythm. Healthy volunteers had mean CSF 5-HIAA concentrations that were intermediate between those of alcoholic, impulsive and nonimpulsive offenders. Alcoholic, nonimpulsive offenders had a significantly higher mean CSF 5-HIAA concentration than all the other groups, including healthy volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: In the present sample, a low CSF 5-HIAA concentration was primarily associated with impulsivity and high CSF testosterone concentration, with aggressiveness or interpersonal violence.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1989

Relationship of psychobiological variables to recidivism in violent offenders and impulsive fire setters. A follow-up study.

Fifty-eight violent offenders and impulsive fire setters were followed up for an average of 3 years after release from prison. Recidivists who committed a new violent offense or arson had significantly lower cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and homovanillic acid concentrations and blood glucose nadirs after oral glucose challenge than did nonrecidivists. A discriminant analysis, based on the blood glucose nadir and cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration, correctly classified 84.2% of the subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Family history of alcoholism in violent offenders and impulsive fire setters.

Fifty-six of 58 violent offenders and impulsive fire setters fulfilled the DSM-III criteria for alcohol abuse. Information necessary for evaluation of family history of alcoholism was obtained on 54 subjects. Forty-four of the 54 subjects had first- or second-degree blood relatives with alcoholism. Thirty-five had alcoholic fathers. Subjects with alcoholic fathers had a lower mean cerebrospinal fluid 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration and were more often impulsive than subjects without alcoholic fathers.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Personality profiles and state aggressiveness in Finnish alcoholic, violent offenders, fire setters, and healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Based on clinical observations in a series of studies on Finnish alcoholic, violent offenders, we asserted that the impulsive offenders represented an extreme group of type 2 alcoholics. We also observed that these subjects were vulnerable to hypoglycemia after the administration of oral glucose load. Furthermore, we believe that while being hypoglycemic, the impulsive offenders are particularly irritable and aggressive. In the present study, we addressed these issues by studying psychological trait and state variables in a new group of violent offenders and fire setters, and age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. METHODS: Fifty-eight alcoholic, violent offenders and impulsive fire setters and 21 healthy volunteers were administered the Karolinska scales of personality and the Rosenzweig picture frustration test after an oral aspartame and glucose challenge. RESULTS: The psychological test results and the criminal histories of the offenders, together with biochemical measurements, suggest that a low 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentration in cerebrospinal fluid in the alcoholic offenders is associated with irritability and impaired impulse control, and a high free testosterone concentration in cerebrospinal fluid is associated with increased aggressiveness, monotony avoidance, sensation seeking, suspiciousness, and reduced socialization. CONCLUSION: Finnish alcoholic, impulsive offenders have personality profiles characteristic of Scandinavian early-onset male alcoholics with antisocial traits, who have been also referred to as type 2 alcoholics.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

A prospective follow-up study of alcoholic violent offenders and fire setters.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated biochemical and family variables and predictors of recidivism among forensic psychiatric patients who had committed violent offenses or set fires. METHODS: One hundred fourteen male alcoholic violent offenders and fire setters were followed up for an average of 4.5 years after release from prison. At the beginning of their incarceration, the first half of the offenders were administered clinical diagnostic interviews, whereas the latter half received the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III (SCID) that was blind rated. A structured family history questionnaire was administered to all available first-degree relatives of offenders. The offenders also received lumbar punctures for monoamine metabolites, an oral glucose tolerance test, and a measurement of fasting plasma cholesterol level. At the end of the follow-up, the Finnish criminal registry was searched for recidivist crimes. RESULTS: Among all offenders, low cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations were associated with a family history positive for paternal alcoholism with violence. Low plasma cholesterol concentration was associated with a family history positive for paternal alcoholism without violence. The recidivists, who committed violent offenses or set fires during the follow-up period, had low CSF 5-HIAA and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) concentrations compared with those in nonrecidivists. Early family environments of the recidivists, compared with those of the nonrecidivists, were characterized by common paternal absence from and presence of brothers at home. CONCLUSION: Among male alcoholic violent offenders and fire setters, low CSF 5-HIAA and HVA concentrations are strongly associated with a family history positive for paternal violence and alcoholism, while low fasting plasma cholesterol concentration is associated with a family history positive for paternal alcoholism. Recidivist violent offenders and fire setters are predicted by low CSF 5-HIAA and MHPG concentrations and a developmental history positive for early paternal absence from and presence of brothers in the family of origin.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

From inside prison.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[The role of genetic load in the development of reactive psychotic states leading to severe violence. Study of a case of "homicide arson" double and extended suicide].

Using the casuistic presentation of a case of arson with ensuing double murder and extended suicide by jumping over a rock face, we discuss to what extent genetic disposition is important for the formation of reactive-psychotic states that lead to crimes of extreme violence. From the results of protracted research on the previous history of the perpetrator and of his relatives, a multifactorial disposition toward affective psychoses, alcoholism, epilepsy, and suicide was discovered. On the other hand, in the long-term longitudinal observation of the perpetrator, manic depressiveness was diagnosed, which was characterized by a rapid bi-polar phase shift. This supports the opinion of the authors--partially contradictory to the literature--that such affective outbursts, which have apparently arisen purely reactively, but which lead to murder and suicide, in most cases arise on an endogenic basis. In such cases one should not speak of an exclusively reactive depression (mania) before the possibility of an endogenic component has been excluded. The latter, however, can only be detected through precise long-term longitudinal diagnosis and data on the family's psychiatric history. Otherwise, an endo-reactive depression (mania) must be diagnosed. This implies in these cases at least an "irresistible impulse" (Dispositionsunfähigkeit) of the perpetrator.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

A conceptualization of firesetting in children and adolescents.

Juvenile firesetting has been studied from different perspectives and by multiple disciplines. Although evidence has begun to emerge regarding the antecedents and correlates of firesetting as well as characteristics of firesetters and their families, the findings and their conceptual bases remain somewhat diffuse. This paper integrates major findings reported in the juvenile firesetting literature and provides a tentative model of firesetting risk based on the current evidence. The model highlights several factors within three major domains: learning experiences and cues, personal repertoires, and parent and family influences and stressors. Implications of the model for early identification, diagnosis, and treatment of firesetters are discussed.

Child↗
PubMed1992

The emergence and recurrence of child firesetting: a one-year prospective study.

This study provides 1-year, prospective data regarding the firesetting histories of a sample of 138 children (ages 6-13 years) recruited from patient and non-patient populations. Parent and child interviews were conducted at initial assessment and 1-year followup. Of 78 children initially classified as nonfiresetters, 14 children (18%) later had set a fire. Of 60 children initially identified as firesetters, 21 (35%) had set an additional fire by followup. Late starting was associated with limited family sociability, whereas recidivism was associated with child knowledge about combustibles and involvement in fire-related activities, community complaints about fire contact, child hostility, lax discipline, family conflict, and limited parental acceptance, family affiliation, and organization. The findings highlight alternative risk variables for initiation and repetition of child firesetting.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

The "Scandinavian Star" ferry disaster 1990--a challenge to forensic odontology.

With 158 victims, the fire on board the "Scandinavian Star" was one of the world's worst ferry disasters. A team of identification experts, including dentists, were employed to secure evidence for identification and to remove the victims from the ferry. Four parallel teams, each with 2 dentists, examined and autopsied the victims at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Oslo. Using the INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification forms and aided by computers, all victims were identified within 17 days. Dental identity could be established in 107 cases (68%).

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Arsonists and sexual arousal to fire setting: correlation unsupported.

The penile responses of 26 firesetters and 15 nonfiresetters to audiotaped narratives were compared. The categories of narratives were: neutral, heterosexual sexual activity, and firesetting motivated by sexual excitement, general (unspecified) excitement, insurance, revenge, heroism, or power. Responses to all of the categories were of small magnitude, although both the heterosexual activity and the sexual excitement firesetting categories elicited larger responses than the neutral category. There were no significant differences between the firesetters and nonfiresetters to any of the story categories. These data contain no support for the idea that sexual motivation is commonly involved in arson.

Adult↗