Abstract

DE BORBATELLES, Lisieux Elaine; DIAS DE CASTRO BINS, Helena; SOARES BARROS, Alcina Juliana  and  CORDOBA, Franklin. Incendiarios "Es preferible morir por el fuego, en combate, que morir en casa, por el hambre: Fidel Castro" Arson. rev.fac.med. [online]. 2012, vol.60, n.3, pp.207--213. ISSN 0120-0011.

Background. The concept of fire has always attracted human attention. There are abundant references to the term in worldwide literature, representing power and passion as well as terror and destruction. Deliberately setting fire to something/someone is an easily executed crime (arson), though difficult to research. This crime has 1.13% prevalence and its incidence is growing around the world, provoking an important social impact due to its victims' financial loss, death, physical lesions and emotional aftermath. Arsonist-type behaviour can be observed from infancy onwards, as more than half the people imprisoned for arson are adolescents. Consuming alcohol has been associated with arsonist-type conduct in half the individuals committing such crime who were motived by revenge. Objective. Reviewing the most recent studies concerning an arsonis's profile, the diagnostic characteristics, the risk factors, neurobiological treatment, recidivism and prognosis. Materials and Methods. A literature review revealed that arsonists represent a heterogeneous criminal category. The development of classification for them thus becomes interesting, considering the aggressor's characteristics, the presence of eventual mental disease, aspects regarding the crime and motivation. Conclusion. The population of arsonists studied has been underrepresented to date, as just a small percentage is sent for diagnostic evaluation and treatment. Incongruence thus arises between the great emotional and financial damage caused by this crime, and the attention given it by the scientific community.

Keywords : Arson; Crime; Firesetting Behavior; Forensic Psychiatry; Mental Disorders; Pyromania.

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