What is fire-setting behavior?

Accidental or curiosity fire-setting is defined as fire-starting behavior often by unsupervised children (usually age 5–10 years of age) with access to matches or lighters. There were 133 participants aged 3–17 years and analysis of the data set found 26% of the peak ages for fire involvement to be 12 and 14 years.

Why am I obsessed with setting things on fire?

Pyromania is a type of impulse control disorder that is characterized by being unable to resist starting fires. People with pyromania know that setting fires is harmful. But setting fires is the only way they can relieve their built-up tension, anxiety, or arousal.

What is it called when you set fire on purpose?

If you deliberately set your whole house on fire to collect the insurance money, you’ve committed arson. The noun arson comes from the Latin word ardere, meaning “to burn.” Arson is the act of setting something on fire for a nefarious purpose, and it is, of course, illegal.

Are pyromaniacs arsonists?

Pyromania is a mental illness characterized by impulsivity, and arson occurs when someone intentionally sets a fire with the understanding that others could be harmed. Pyromania and arson are both associated with fire-setting, and people may use these terms interchangeably.

Why do arsonists set fire?

The majority of serial arsonists set only one fire in a location. The most common motive for setting fires was revenge, followed by excitement, vandalism, profit, and other crime concealment.

Why is my child obsessed with fire?

Sensation seeking: Some children are attracted to fire setting because they are bored and just looking for something to do. Attention seeking: Lighting a fire becomes a way to get back at the adults and in turn to produce a response from the adults.

Why do arsonists set fires?

How long do you go to jail for arson?

In the most egregious felony cases where someone starts a fire with the intent to harm or kill someone else, an arson conviction can bring a life sentence. In other situations, convictions for felony arson can bring sentences of anywhere from one to 20 years.

What percentage of arsonists appear to be pyromaniacs?

Rates of Pyromania among arsonists vary considerably, with estimates between 3.3% and 23% (Lindberg et al., 2005; Repo et al., 1997).

When did firesetting become a forensic mental health issue?

This paper was presented in part at the 41st annual meeting of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, Tucson, Arizona, October 21–24, 2010. Firesetting is a common behavior that is frequently encountered by forensic mental health experts when consulting on criminal and civil legal cases.

Is there mental health screening for fire starters?

However, mental health screening for fire-setting appears low: A 1999 survey of 300 psychotherapists by the National Association of State Fire Marshals found therapists had a limited awareness and knowledge about juvenile fire-setting and treatments.

Why do fire departments want to partner with mental health professionals?

“Fire departments want to partner with mental health professionals because they know the ramifications of what happens when kids play with fire,” says Slavkin, an assistant professor of education at the University of Southern Indiana.

How is fire setting linked to antisocial behavior?

Fire-setting was significantly associated with a wide range of antisocial behaviors and analyses identified strong associations between lifetime alcohol and marijuana use disorders, conduct disorder, antisocial and obsessive-compulsive personality disorders, and family history of antisocial behavior.