What is the psychology behind an arsonist?

90% of arsonists had recorded mental health histories, and of those 36% had the major mental illness of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. 64% were abusing alcohol or drugs at the time of their firesetting. Pyromania was only diagnosed in three of the 283 cases.

Is arson a mental disorder?

arson. While pyromania is a psychiatric condition dealing with impulse control, arson is a criminal act. It’s usually done maliciously and with criminal intent. Pyromania and arson are both intentional, but pyromania is strictly pathological or compulsive.

What is fire setting psychology?

Fire setting is a complex pattern of behavior in which a child or adolescent starts fires, either accidentally or intentionally. actually starting fires. Fire-setting has a variety of contexts and causes, and may be an aspect of the clinical presentation of other psychological disorders such as conduct disorder.

What type of people are arsonists?

Arsonists tend to be minimally educated and an underachievers. He or she generally has poor interpersonal relationships and is socially inadequate. Often he or she is unemployed and if the arsonist has an employment history it is erratic and involves little or no skill. Have a history of substance abuse.

Do arsonists work alone?

The arsonist-for-hire is an individual who is paid for the service of burning down property. This type of arsonist usually works alone. The arsonist-for-hire may be hired to destroy an office building, an automobile, or in rare cases, a person.

Are arsonists intelligent?

Brains and Arson According to a 1987 report in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, the vast majority of “profiled” arsonists have a below-normal IQ — typically between 70 and 90.

What drives an arsonist?

Types of arson motives identified are (1) pyromania, 10.1 percent; (2) revenge, 52.9 percent; (3) vandalism, 12.3 percent; (4) insurance fraud, 6.55 percent; (5) welfare fraud, 6.55 percent; (6) the psycho firesetter, 8.7 percent; and (7) crime concealment, 2.9 percent.