Arson and other types of deliberate firesetting have major human and financial costs across the globe. People with mental disorder are disproportionately involved and mental health practitioners are frequently required to assess, treat and manage this troubling group. Half of all deliberate fire-related damage is caused by adults and this is the first book to take a comprehensive look at the issue from a mental health perspective. It brings research evidence, theory and practitioner advice into one accessible volume. Leading experts from the fields of psychiatry and psychology present current evidence on epidemiology, biological and psychological aetiology, and developmental aspects of deliberate firesetting. Contemporary overviews of best practice in relation to assessment and intervention, including in women and offenders with intellectual disability, are provided. Legal and fire safety experts present theoretical knowledge and practical advice on the role of mental health professionals in court and in fire prevention in clinical settings. The only available specialist text on firesetting behaviour in adults.
Takes a broad mental health perspective and includes essential practical information about the law and fire prevention.
Contributions from psychiatry, psychology, law and fire safety experts.
International input by authors from the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA. Readership: Forensic psychiatrists and psychologists. May also be useful to criminal justice professionals. About the editors: Geoffrey L. Dickens – Research Manager and Head of Nursing Research at St Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton and Senior Lecturer at the University of Northampton.
Philip A. Sugarman – Medical Director and Chief Executive Officer at St Andrew’s Healthcare, Northampton.
Theresa A. Gannon – Reader in Forensic Psychology at the University of Kent at Canterbury. Contents
Part I: Theory and research 1. Adult firesetters: prevalence, characteristics and psychopathology, Geoff Dickens and Philip Sugarman 2. Theories on arson: the action systems model, Katarina Fritzon 3. Differentiating firesetters: lessons from the literature on motivation and dangerousness, Geoff Dickens and Philip Sugarman 4. The potential relevance of brain dysfunction in arson, Mairead Dolan and Troy E. McEwan 5. The developmental aspects of firesetting, Sherri MacKay, Erin M. Ruttle, and Ashley K. Ward 6. Intellectual disability and arson, John Devapriam and Sabyasachi Bhaumik 7. Female arsonists and firesetters, Theresa A. Gannon, Nichola Tyler, Magali Barnoux and Afroditi Pina 8. Power and excitement in arson: the case of firefighter arson, Rebekah M. Doley and Kenneth R. Fineman
Part II: Practice and law
9. Legal perspectives on arson, Sally Averill 10. Assessment of firesetters, Rebekah M. Doley and Bruce D. Watt 11. Bushfire and wildfire arson: arson risk assessment in the Australian context, Troy E. McEwan, Rebekah M. Doley and Mairead Dolan 12. Arson: treatment and interventions, Clive R. Hollin 13. Arson and mental health: case reports from psychiatric practice, Tim Rogers 14. Fire risk and fire safety in psychiatric care, Allan Grice | 
