TY  - JOUR
PY  - 1995//
TI  - The mental state of arsonists as determined by forensic psychiatric examinations
JO  - Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law
A1  - Rasanen, Pirkko
A1  - Hakko, Helina
A1  - Väisänen, E.
SP  - 547
EP  - 553
VL  - 23
IS  - 4
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0091-634X
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -