Alexander R. T.

Bhaumik S.

Devapriam J.

Fatima N. Green

Hurley W.

Ignatius Gunaratna

Jervis V.

Johnstone S.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Petty M.

Regi T. Alexander

Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Simpson M. K.

Sudeep Hoare

Verity Chester

World Health Organization.

English

Background Although many with intellectual disability come to the attention of services for fire setting, research in this area is scarce, which poses challenges for management. Method: In this paper we examined those with a fire-setting history (n = 30), identified from a sample of 138 patients treated in a UK forensic intellectual disability service. Those with a fire-setting history were compared to those without this history on various clinical, forensic, and treatment outcome variables. Results: Fire-setting was associated with significant psychopathology, including psychosis and personality disorders. Only half of the fire setters had a formal arson conviction. Fire setters were more likely to have a violence conviction and criminal sections/restriction orders. Conclusions: Half of those with fire-setting histories did not have formal arson convictions, highlighting the need for thorough history taking. Prevalent comorbidity suggests interventions should focus on treating psychopathology before commencing offence-specific arson therapies

Alexander, Regi T.

Chester, Verity

Green, Fatima N.

Gunaratna, Ignatius

Hoare, Sudeep

University of East Anglia digital repository

Arson or fire setting in offenders with intellectual disability: Clinical characteristics, forensic histories, and treatment outcomes

Crossref

Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disability

Arson or fire setting in offenders with intellectual disability:Clinical characteristics, forensic histories, and treatment outcomes

Arson or fire setting in offenders with intellectual disability:Clinical characteristics, forensic histories, and treatment outcomes

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University of East Anglia digital repository

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