Characteristics of low IQ arsonists at psychiatric assessment

Geoff Dickens; Philip Sugarman; Farooq Ahmad; Simon Edgar; Kristina Hofberg; Sidharta Tewari

doi:10.1258/rsmmsl.48.3.217

Characteristics of low IQ arsonists at psychiatric assessment

Geoff Dickens^*, Philip Sugarman, Farooq Ahmad, Simon Edgar, Kristina Hofberg, Sidharta Tewari

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We conducted a retrospective study of arsonists referred for psychiatric assessment and found that 88/202 (43.6%) had an IQ of 85 or below. The low IQ group showed more evidence of childhood temperamental disturbance, and a later pattern of internal problems rather than external factors expressing themselves as fire-setting. This study highlights the likelihood of lifelong, temperamental problems being apparent in childhood, and being predictive and possibly causative of fire setting in people with a low IQ. Better understanding of the distinct characteristics of lower IQ arsonists is essential for improved prevention, treatment and management.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	217-220
Number of pages	4
Journal	Medicine, Science and the Law
Volume	48
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1258/rsmmsl.48.3.217
Publication status	Published - Jul 2008
Externally published	Yes

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AU - Ahmad, Farooq

AU - Edgar, Simon

AU - Hofberg, Kristina

AU - Tewari, Sidharta

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N2 - We conducted a retrospective study of arsonists referred for psychiatric assessment and found that 88/202 (43.6%) had an IQ of 85 or below. The low IQ group showed more evidence of childhood temperamental disturbance, and a later pattern of internal problems rather than external factors expressing themselves as fire-setting. This study highlights the likelihood of lifelong, temperamental problems being apparent in childhood, and being predictive and possibly causative of fire setting in people with a low IQ. Better understanding of the distinct characteristics of lower IQ arsonists is essential for improved prevention, treatment and management.

AB - We conducted a retrospective study of arsonists referred for psychiatric assessment and found that 88/202 (43.6%) had an IQ of 85 or below. The low IQ group showed more evidence of childhood temperamental disturbance, and a later pattern of internal problems rather than external factors expressing themselves as fire-setting. This study highlights the likelihood of lifelong, temperamental problems being apparent in childhood, and being predictive and possibly causative of fire setting in people with a low IQ. Better understanding of the distinct characteristics of lower IQ arsonists is essential for improved prevention, treatment and management.

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Characteristics of low IQ arsonists at psychiatric assessment

Abstract

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