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20 Legal & Criminological Psych. 1 (2015)

handle is hein.journals/legadclpy20 and id is 1 raw text is: The British Legal and Criminological Psychology (2015), 20, 1-18 Psychological Society © 2014 The British Psychological Society ww.wileyonlinelibrary.com Special section paper An investigation of firesetting recidivism: Factors related to repeat offending Lauren Ducat,2*, Troy E. McEwan2 and James RP Ogloff2 'School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia 2Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology and Forensicare, Victoria, Australia Purpose. Firesetters have traditionally been considered dangerous repeat offenders. However, the specific risk factors associated with firesetting recidivism have not been consistently tested in representative samples. It is also unclear whether individuals whose offending is limited to firesetting are at increased risk of reoffending when compared with firesetters who have more versatile offending. This study aimed to: (I) determine the rate of firesetting recidivism in a representative sample of firesetters before the courts; and (2) determine the psychiatric and criminogenic factors that are related to firesetting recidivism. Methods. The study employed a data linkage approach to examine the psychiatric and criminal histories of 1052 firesetters convicted of arson between 2000 and 2009 in Victoria, Australia. The characteristics of those who reoffended, over a follow-up period of 2.5- 1 I years, by committing arson and arson-related offences were compared with those who went on to reoffend in other ways but not arson. An improper model was used to determine which of the tested variables could meaningfully predict firesetting recidivism. Results. The rate of firesetting recidivism, based on charges, was very low (5.3%) compared with the rate of general recidivism (55.4%); the vast majority of firesetting recidivists were mixed (criminally versatile) offenders (91 %). The study found thatgeneral criminality, firesetting history, and psychiatric disorder were associated with firesetting recidivism. Conclusions. When assessing risk of firesetting recidivism, clinicians need to consider general criminality in addition to fire-specific history, and the potential impacts of mental disorder on recidivism. Despite its human and fiscal costs, and a relatively long history of research, arson remains one of the least understood criminal behaviours, particularly with regard to reoffending (Davis & Lauber, 1999). Given the lack of information about factors related to repeat firesetting, it has been suggested that there may not be a simple formula to identify those who commit further arson offences (Soothill & Pope, 1973). Even if such a formula could be derived, the existing literature lacks the consistency required to identify valid risk factors related to recidivistic arson with any confidence (Davis & Lauber, 1999). Inconsistent definitions of recidivism and variability in sample composition of firesetters *Correspondence should be addressed to Lauren Ducat, Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, Swinburne University of Technology & Forensicare, 505 Hoddle Street, Clifton Hill, Victoria 3068, Australia (email: lauren.ducat@forensicare.vic.gov.au). DOI:10.l I/I l/crp.12052

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