Nichola Tyler1, Tigga Taylor2, Sarah Cameron3, Paul Jose4, Tony Ward5, Theresa A. Gannon6
1Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science, 1/582 Heidelberg Road, Alphington, VIC, 3078, 2School of Psychology, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6104, 3School of Psychology, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6104, 4School of Psychology, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6104, 5School of Psychology, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Wellington, 6104, 6Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NP
Abstract:
Adults are responsible for a significant proportion of deliberately set fires. However, like many other countries, specialist interventions to address adult firesetting in Aotearoa are lacking, despite (1) 631 individuals in Corrections alone having arson on their record, and (2) evidence showing that as many as one in five firesetting adults will repeat this behaviour. This paper will present preliminary findings from an empirical investigation on the characteristics of adults convicted of arson offences in Aotearoa. Court records of arson cases heard in the District and High Courts in Aotearoa between 2017 and 2021 were reviewed and coded for key demographic, social, psychological, and offence factors. Analyses were conducted to describe the characteristics and subtypes of adults convicted of arson offences in Aotearoa, as well as factors associated with multiple and dangerous firesetting. The implications of the findings for informing assessment and treatment of adult firesetting in the Aotearoa socio-cultural context will be discussed.