Arsonists in maximum security: mental state at time of firesetting and relationship between mental disorder and...

Seventy-nine arsonists were identified in a Special Hospital. Sixty-eight had a clinical interview which included an analysis of symptoms present at the time of the most recent fire. Mentally ill arsonists did not differ from Psychopathic Disorder arsonists in their self-report of symptoms at the time of firesetting, the major difference was in the time course of their behaviour. Mentally ill arsonists lit their first fire on average eight years later than did Psychopathic Disorder patients. Further analysis indicates that PD women have a distinct group of current symptoms and behaviours.