A TYPOLOGY OF MENTALLY DISORDERED FIRESETTERS

Cluster analytic techniques were used to develop a typology of mentall y disordered male firesetters and the fires they set. Childhood variab les adult correctional and psychiatric variables and characteristics o f their index fires were used to assign the 243 men to one of four sub types: psychotics, underassertives, multi-firesetters, and criminals T he subtypes differed on many clinical characteristics and in their lik elihood of firesetting, violent, and nonviolent recidivism. Implicatio ns for risk prediction and treatment are discussed.