@article{ref1,
title="The mental state of arsonists as determined by forensic psychiatric examinations",
journal="Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law",
year="1995",
author="Rasanen, Pirkko and Hakko, Helina and Väisänen, E.",
volume="23",
number="4",
pages="547-553",
abstract="In this study we evaluated whether arsonists (n = 98) differ from homicide offenders (n = 55) in regard to psychiatric disorders, suicidality, and criminal responsibility in the context of forensic psychiatric pretrial examinations. Arsonists were mainly male, poorly educated, unemployed, and living in rural areas. Eighty-four percent of the arsonists and 62 percent of the homicide offenders had an alcohol abuse problem. This difference was statistically significant (p = .002). The arsonists more commonly had suicidal thoughts and attempted suicides. Over one-third of the arsonists used fire-setting as a suicide attempt. In comparing the arsonists with the control group, there was a statistically significant difference in the variables that indicate suicidality. Arsonists more commonly had diagnosed psychiatric diseases (p = .008). The incidence of psychoses was fourfold, chronic or severe depression about threefold, and mental retardation twofold when compared with the homicide offenders. Eighty-five percent of the arsonists had received psychiatric care before the crime was committed. The arsonists were more often found to be not criminally responsible for the crime committed (p = .01).<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0091-634X",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}