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TYPES AND CHARACTERISTICS
OF JUVENILE FIRESETTERS
The following descriptions outline the main Types and Characteristics of Juvenile Firesetters. A juvenile firesetter is any youth who is under the age of 18 years old and who lights fires. The arson types and characteristics listed below are based on our review of the research literature, and represent a summary of the research literature. The research types and characteristics presented are not intended to be exhaustive of all arson types and characteristics.
CURIOSITY/ACCIDENTAL FIRESETTERS (Fineman, Dittmann, FEMA, Slavkin)
Most common type of fire setter (Fineman, Dittmann, Slavkin)
Fire setting can be result of an accident, experimenting and curiosity (Fineman, FEMA, Slavkin)
Child expresses feelings of guilt/remorse after the fire setting (FEMA)
Typically they do not understand the consequences of their fire play behavior (Fineman, Dittmann, IOSFM, Slavkin)
Children tend to be "hands-on" learners who explore their surroundings (IOSFM)
Fascinated by matches and/or lighters (IOSFM)
Imitates adults who light cigarettes, candles, grills, or fireplaces (IOSFM)
These children tend to set fire to objects that are found around the house (IOSFM)
Fire could be set in hidden locations such as closets or underneath beds (IOSFM)
Parents may have tried to stop fire setting behavior in the past (IOSFM)
Child typically attempts to extinguish the fire (FEMA)
No history or pattern of fire setting (IOSFM)
Normal physical, cognitive, and emotional development (FEMA)
Usually aged 5 - 10 years old, occasionally can be older (FEMA, Dittmann)
Teenagers who play scientist (Slavkin)
RECURRENT FIRESETTERS (FEMA)
- Show difficulty in the areas of physical, cognitive, or emotional functioning (FEMA)
- More likely to occur if any of the following conditions are present: great number of physical illnesses, history of sexual abuse, learning disabilities, overwhelming feelings of anger/aggression, over activity, impulsiveness, and frequent temper outbursts (FEMA)
- Can be present with overly harsh methods of discipline
- Can result from lack of adequate supervision of the child (FEMA)
- Tends to occur in families where interaction tends to be violent (FEMA)
- Child could exhibit behavior problems at school along with poor academic performance
- These children may demonstrate difficulty establishing and maintaining friendships (FEMA)
- Child engaged in fire setting after a stressful event, as an emotional reaction (FEMA)
- The fire setting could serve as an emotional release for the child, a means to displace anger, aggression, or feelings of revenge (FEMA)
- Typically no attempt was made to extinguish the fire (FEMA)
CRISIS OR CRY-FOR-HELP (Fineman, Dittmann, Slavkin)
- Children who use fire setting as a way of drawing attention to a severe problem they are experiencing (Fineman, Dittmann, Slavkin)
- This behavior can be conscious or unconscious (Fineman, Dittmann, Slavkin)
- Child may appear depressed, inattentive, hyperactive, or be under a high degree of familial stress (Dittmann)
- More likely to occur if there is a high degree of familial discord such as parental separation, divorce, or remarriage (Slavkin)
- Fire setting behavior can occur as a result of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or chronic neglect (Slavkin)
- Can include children of all ages (Slavkin)
DELINQUENT FIRESETTERS (Fineman, Dittman, Slavkin)
- Usually aged 11 to 15 years old (Dittmann, Slavkin)
- Typically have a history of fire setting (FEMA)
- Inability to share in another's thoughts, emotions, or feelings (Fineman, Dittman, Slavkin)
- Tends to avoid causing harm to others using fire (Dittmann, Slavkin)
- Aggressive behavior towards others (Dittmann)
- Behavior that damages or destroys property (Fineman, Dittmann, Slavkin)
- Could be involved in hate crimes (Fineman, Slavkin)
- Deceitfulness or stealing behavior (Dittmann)
- Fires are typically set in schools, open fields, dumpster, or abandoned buildings (FEMA)
SEVERELY DISTURBED FIRESETTERS (Fineman, Dittmann, Slavkin)
- Children who have a fascination with fire (Dittmann)
- Fire may have its own reinforcing properties for the child. This is known as the Sensory reinforcement controlled (Slavkin)
- Sometimes the reinforcement can be sexual in nature (Slavkin)
- Child's history indicates an early fire intrigue (Slavkin)
- Can include children that have an extreme suspiciousness, persecutory ideas, or impaired reality testing who want to hurt or kill themselves (Fineman, Dittmann)
- Some of these children may engage in self-injurious behaviors. The children could use fires as a means to hurt or kill themselves (Fineman, Slavkin)
COGNITIVELY IMPAIRED FIRESETTERS (Dittmann, Slavkin)
- Mentally retarded or developmentally disabled individuals (Dittmann, Slavkin)
- This also includes children with neurological medical conditions (Slavkin)
- Can include children with severe learning disabilities (Slavkin)
- Can include children with fetal alcohol syndrome (Slavkin)
- Can include children who were harmed by their mother's drug use during pregnancy (Slavkin)
- Lack adequate decision making skills (Dittmann)
- Usually does not intentionally harm anyone (Dittmann)
- A high degree of property damage is common (Dittmann)
SOCIO-CULTURAL FIRESETTERS (Dittmann, Slavkin)
- Child sets fires to gain favor from peer/community groups (Dittmann)
- Examples include fires set during riots or religious demonstrations (Dittmann)
- These children tend to avoid intentionally harming others (Slavkin)
- Significant property destruction is common (Slavkin)
REFERENCES
- Fineman, K.R. (1995). A model for the qualitative analysis of child and adult fire deviant
behavior. American Journal of Forensic Psychology, 13(1), 31-60.
- M. Dittman - APA Monitor, Vol. 35, No. 7, July/Aug 2004
- Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshal, 2002
- FEMA - National Juvenile Firesetter/Arson Control and Prevention Program,
FA-239/June 1994
- Michael L. Slavkin - What Every Professional Who Works With Adolescents Needs To Know About Firesetters