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Firesetting

A Burning Issue

  • Chapter
Serial Murder and the Psychology of Violent Crimes

Abstract

Firesetting or arson destroys property, extinguishes lives, costs individuals and governments huge sums of money, and remains one of the most underprosecuted felonies. Focusing on knowledge accrued during the past decade and a half, this chapter examines what is known about adult firesetting. Firesetting is approached by first elucidating its etiology, examining this from the perspectives of 1) motivation, 2) characteristics of firesetters, and 3) multifactorial factors. Particular populations of firesetters are described, including those with developmental disabilities, firefighter firesetters, those with communicative arson, self-mutilators, self-immolators, and serial arsonists. The assessment and treatment of adult firesetters is highlighted. The chapter concludes with a discussion of some troubling newer trends in arson, such as church fires and eco-terrorism, and calls for continuing the renewed interest in understanding and treating the adult firesetter.

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Authors
  1. Jeffrey L. Geller
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  1. Forensic Psychologist in Private Practice, Sydney, Australia

    Richard N. Kocsis PhD

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Geller, J.L. (2008). Firesetting. In: Kocsis, R.N. (eds) Serial Murder and the Psychology of Violent Crimes. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-049-6_9

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