Factors predicting recidivism in child and adolescent fire-setters: A systematic review of the literature

Fires set by young people account for a large proportion of fire-related public property damage and deaths. Law enforcement and mental health professionals alike seek ways to prevent fire-setters from repeating their criminal behaviour. This article presents a comprehensive review of empirical studies of fire-setting recidivism. The purpose of this study was to identify potential predictors of recidivism in children and adolescents who set fires. Six articles and two dissertation abstracts were selected for systematic review according to specific inclusion/exclusion criteria. Previous involvement in fire-setting behaviour was found to be the best single predictor of recidivistic fire-setting. In addition, recidivists were noted to have greater levels of interest in fire and fire-related activities, displayed more covert antisocial behaviours, and were more likely to be male and older than non-recidivists. Recidivists also reported poorer social skills and higher levels of family dysfunction than other fire-setters. These factors should be further investigated and evaluated, and incorporated in risk assessment tools, interventions, and outcome measures.