TY - JOUR
T1 - Characteristics of low IQ arsonists at psychiatric assessment
AU - Dickens, Geoff
AU - Sugarman, Philip
AU - Ahmad, Farooq
AU - Edgar, Simon
AU - Hofberg, Kristina
AU - Tewari, Sidharta
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - We conducted a retrospective study of arsonists referred for psychiatric assessment and found that 88/202 (43.6%) had an IQ of 85 or below. The low IQ group showed more evidence of childhood temperamental disturbance, and a later pattern of internal problems rather than external factors expressing themselves as fire-setting. This study highlights the likelihood of lifelong, temperamental problems being apparent in childhood, and being predictive and possibly causative of fire setting in people with a low IQ. Better understanding of the distinct characteristics of lower IQ arsonists is essential for improved prevention, treatment and management.
AB - We conducted a retrospective study of arsonists referred for psychiatric assessment and found that 88/202 (43.6%) had an IQ of 85 or below. The low IQ group showed more evidence of childhood temperamental disturbance, and a later pattern of internal problems rather than external factors expressing themselves as fire-setting. This study highlights the likelihood of lifelong, temperamental problems being apparent in childhood, and being predictive and possibly causative of fire setting in people with a low IQ. Better understanding of the distinct characteristics of lower IQ arsonists is essential for improved prevention, treatment and management.
KW - arson
KW - firemaking
KW - psychological aspects
UR - http://handle.westernsydney.edu.au:8081/1959.7/uws:46534
UR - http://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/mdsclw48&div=45&g_sent=1&casa_token=&collection=journals
U2 - 10.1258/rsmmsl.48.3.217
DO - 10.1258/rsmmsl.48.3.217
M3 - Article
SN - 0025-8024
VL - 48
SP - 217
EP - 220
JO - Medicine, Science and the Law
JF - Medicine, Science and the Law
IS - 3
ER -