PYROMANIA AND ARSON - A PSYCHIATRIC AND C RIMINOLOGICAL DATA-ANALYSIS

We analyzed psychiatric and criminological data from 103 arsonists. Th e following criticisms of the definition of pyromania according to DSM -III-R and IDC-10 seem appropriate. First, the categoric exclusion of aggressive motives does not seem very promising, since approximately o ne fourth of arsonists whose firesetting is based on motives quoted in DSM-III-R may also have an aggressive motive. Second, ICD-10 gives be ing drunk and alcoholism as a criterion for the exclusion of pyromania . This seems untenable, since the behavior classed as pyromania is lar gely a product of alcohol misuse. Repeated firesetting, resulting from being fascinated by fire etc., may be less a disturbance of impulse c ontrol but rather the manifestation of a psychoinfantilism, which, sup ported by alcohol abuse, extends into older age. The mean age of such arsonists is slightly above 20 years. The tendency for relapses after imprisonment seems to be low; this tendency probably decreases spontan eously in older age. The mean age of arsonists with aggressive motives is a Little below 30 years, those setting fire with suicidal motives have a mean age of 35, deluded arsonists have a mean age of 40 years. Concrete sexual motives are relatively ran. Approximately 50 % of arso nists have a purely aggressive motive. Retaliation is a rare cause, ho wever, since most of them do not even know the victims. One third of t hese persons set the fire in their own homes. Most arsonists show a pe rsonality disorder, with insecurity and narcissism predominating. Data on firesetting are to be treated with caution, since two thirds of al l cases are newer resolved; one fourth of cases concern miners, and in Central Europe arsonists with rational motives are hardly ever referr ed to psychiatrists.