Outcomes in a sample of Finnish fire-setters

Abstract

A population of 304 consecutive fire-setting offenders who had undergone a pre-trial forensic psychiatric evaluation in 1978–91 was traced in 1993 and asked to respond to a questionnaire concerning psychosocial outcome and receiving help. Of these, 264 were alive and a sample of 127 (48.1%) was reached. Of the 127 responders, 57 (44.9%) underwent an interview based on the Michigan Alcohol Screening Test (MAST) and 76 (59.8%) completed the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP). The criminal registry of Finland was searched for lifetime criminal offences at the end of 1993. Death certificates were examined to determine causes of death (N = 40). The distribution of psychiatric diagnoses among the responders, the deceased and the whole sample was similar. Recidivist fire-setters and violent offenders more often reported disappointment over not receiving psychosocial and medical help than once-only fire-setters. Recidivist offenders had lower socialization on the KSP than non-recidivist fire-setters. The responders were deeply alcoholized according to MAST. Seventeen (5.6% of the sample, 42.5% of the deceased) had killed themselves. Alcoholism had commonly been conducive to death. Violent, impulsive and alcoholized patients are difficult to handle in our outpatient system.

Key Words:

• fire-setting
• recidivist criminal offender
• suicide