Female arsonists: key features, psychopathologies, and treatment needs

Area of Science:

• Forensic Psychology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Female-perpetrated arson is under-researched compared to male arson.
• Limited comparative studies exist for female arsonists.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing research on female arsonists' characteristics, psychopathology, and treatments.
• To identify gaps in knowledge and suggest future research and clinical interventions.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies on female arsonists.
• Analysis of characteristics, psychopathology, and treatment approaches.

Main Results:

• Existing research on female arsonists is sparse.
• Few studies compare female arsonists to male arsonists or female offender controls.
• Clinical knowledge and practice are underdeveloped.

Conclusions:

• Urgent need for more comparative research on female arsonists.
• Development of targeted interventions and treatment strategies is crucial.
• Future research should focus on specific forensic-clinical areas for female arsonists.