Understanding the Arsonist

"Within the last year an estimated 16,000 people were arrested for arson and law enforcement agencies have reported over 70,000 arson offenses to the FBI. Whatever the numbers involved, what is indisputable is that arson is hurting the U.S. economy, insurers, and policyholders. On average, half of all fires are arson. These crimes, which threaten human life and cause property damage, largely go unpunished and the offending behavior is often untreated. Written for fire and police investigators, criminal justice professionals and mental health professionals, this book provides insight into the types of individuals who become arsonists. This book offers a look at the reasons individuals set fires and the research that influenced it. Written by Dr. Dian Williams, owner and founder of the Center for Arson Research, this text provides the latest qualified research into arsonist behavior. The Federal Government recognizes her as one of only six arson research fellows in the United States. This text is the only complete collection of her extensive research into firesetting, gathered through interviews with actual or suspected firesetters, analysis of the data, and clinical interpretation of the findings. You'll learn about six specific psychological profiles of firesetters, their motivation for setting fires, and the types of fires they set"--Provided by publisher.