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At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Forensic psychology in Iceland: a survey of members of the Icelandic Psychological Society.

Forensic psychology is a rapidly growing specialism within psychology. A survey was carried out among the 152 members of the Icelandic Psychological Society (Sálfradingafélagi Islands) about their involvement and role in court work. Out of 101 psychologists who responded to the survey, 39 reported having been involved in court work, of whom 34 had testified in court. The great majority of court work of the psychologists involved assessments relating to child-care and custody proceedings, but there was evidence that Icelandic psychologists are increasingly becoming involved in criminal cases concerning criminal responsibility and the reliability of testimony. They are working much more independently of medical colleagues than before.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Suicide with associated acts of arson: two cases from Colorado.

We report on two cases of suicide in which the victims started fires before their deaths. In one case the victim died of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after setting several fires in his residence. In the second case the victim hung himself after setting several fires in his residence and an adjoining building. In both cases, the victim's position was not near the origin of the fires suggesting that the arson was not a failsafe device to the primary mechanism of suicide. Neither victim showed a significant percentage of carboxyhemoglobin, or thermal damage from the fires. Both cases are remarkable in that, had the fire caused more damage to the remains and dwellings, a finding of suicide may not have been reached. We discuss similar aspects between the two reported cases and discuss differences observed with similar events such as complex suicide, suicide by self-immolation, and concealed homicide by burning. Similar cases should be reported to broaden our understanding of these complex events.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Urinary free cortisol secretion in habitually violent offenders.

Male violent offenders (n = 90) and residivious arsonists (n = 10) were investigated by urinary (24 h) free cortisol measurements at mental examination on a psychiatric department. The measurements were made with competitive protein-binding radioassay. Only among the habitually violent offenders with antisocial personality were the values low when compared with other violent offenders, antisocial personality without the habitually violent tendency, and male clinic personnel. Poor motivation already in school, truancy, attention deficit and undersocialized aggressive conduct disorder problems seemed to be connected with the low cortisol levels.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1997

Criminal and psychiatric histories of Finnish arsonists.

We investigated psychiatric and demographic variables and lifetime criminality among arsonists referred for a pre-trial psychiatric assessment. The medical and criminal records of 282 arsonists were studied in order to compare first-time and repeat offenders with regard to diagnostic, demographic and biological variables. Alcohol dependence and antisocial personality disorder were common among recidivist offenders. This finding was especially prominent among offenders who committed violent crimes. Recidivist offenders commonly had a history of long-lasting enuresis during their childhood. They were younger at the time of their first offence, and were more often intoxicated with alcohol during the arson attempt. Among arsonists, lifetime criminal recidivism was primarily associated with alcohol dependence and antisocial personality disorder. Psychosis was a common diagnosis among subjects who had no record of recidivist criminal offences.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

A functional analysis of recidivistic arson.

Evidence from studies of pathological arson and normal fire setting as well as the authors' clinical experience with arsonists in a maximum security hospital is employed to generate a model of recidivistic arson within the conceptual framework of functional analysis. It is contended that certain psychosocial stimuli, in the context of major setting conditions, predispose the individual towards incendiarism which is initially positively and negatively reinforced. However, the longer-term consequences of arson are considered to maintain and exacerbate the antecedent problems encountered by arsonists. Specifically, arson is viewed as an attempt to exert a change in the arsonist's life conditions where alternative behaviours have proved, or are perceived to be, ineffective. The model incorporates adaptations of the displaced aggression and arousal hypotheses of arson, and examines possible developmental aspects of pathological arson from normal childhood fire play, and suggests that a transition from fire setting in the company of others to incendiarism alone constitutes a major factor in the pathological process. The social, clinical and theoretical implications of the model are discussed with reference to current management and treatment strategies as well as future research.

Arousal↗
PubMed1995

An outbreak of copycat fire raising.

A dangerous outbreak of fire setting occurred on two wards of a Bristol Psychiatric Hospital, in which six patients set eight fires over a five-week period. One was the Intensive Care Unit, the other an admission ward serving the inner city of Bristol. Five of the six patients had moved between the two wards. The sequence of fires is in part explained by 'copycat' behaviour. The fires were set at a time when the hospital was particularly vulnerable because of major service changes. We emphasize the institutional and situational variables that led to disturbed behaviour in a vulnerable group of individuals, with inadequate controls over tension and anxiety.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Arson: an unforeseen sequela of deinstitutionalization.

Did the shift from institutional to community-based services brought about by deinstitutionalization affect the nature or function of pathological fire setting? The author studied admissions to a state hospital that were precipitated by arson. During a 200-day period, 14 patients accounted for 16 admissions and 17 fires. The data indicate that fires are set by consumers of public sector mental health services to communicate a wish or a need for a change in location of those services. Communicative arson has caused property damage, personal injury, and death and has resulted in a backlash against community alternatives for psychiatric treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Forging a transference relationship with a self-destructive preschooler.

A three-and-a-half-year-old boy was referred for treatment because of his inability to engage adequately in school activities and his absorption in fantasy and episodically charged and homicidal wishes. A few months after therapy was initiated, the boy revealed fantasies of a self-destructive nature. Through the development of the transference relationship, the patient was able to elaborate further, understand the implications of such fantasies, and validate his perceptions regarding feelings that were until then suppressed and isolated.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1988

Community interventions for juvenile firesetters: a survey of two national programs.

Twenty-nine local affiliates of two national organizations that sponsor community-based intervention programs for juvenile firesetters completed a 32-item survey on the characteristics of the populations served, the services provided, program operations, and obstacles to service delivery. Sixteen programs that used the intervention approach developed by the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency were compared with 13 programs that used the approach developed by the National Firehawk Foundation. The comparisons revealed few significant differences between the two groups. Both types of programs emphasized detection and initial assessment of the firesetter and relied heavily on fire safety education as an intervention measure, although Firehawk programs offered a service that matched firesetters with volunteer fire fighters who serve as appropriate role models.

Child↗