Implementing a classification methodology for serial arson: a case report

Early detection of serial arsonists can be challenging for forensic professionals. Serial arsonists account for nearly 20% of all fire setters, but only 1% of these individuals are diagnosed with pyromania and receive appropriate treatment. There is an urgent need for accurate identification to enable more effective management, thus preventing the significant ecological and economic damage caused by these criminal acts. We present a case of a young serial arsonist responsible for setting 12 deliberate fires over a period of four weeks. The individual had been diagnosed with pyromania in pre-adolescence but was not diagnosed with it during the post-arrest assessment. Using psychiatric and forensic reports, we applied a validated 44-item classification methodology for incendiary acts. We performed multidimensional scaling analysis to examine the characteristics of serial fire setting. In this case, alcohol abuse and episodes of arson without periods of emotional calm were recurrent. Advanced skills in arson were demonstrated, with a variety of scenarios targeting both objects and people. The implementation of a classification methodology allowed us to identify additional features that distinguish this case beyond the diagnosis of pyromania. This approach paves the way for more appropriate and effective interventions, particularly those focused on controlling impulsivity.