Profile of an Arsonist
Kurt Kamm
July 03, 2008
Arsonists – Fire Setters - Pyromaniacs
Ninety percent of fire setters are male. They are preoccupied with fire. They get an emotional release from starting fires. There may be sexual overtones. Some researchers claim fire setters are sexually repressed males who masturbate at the fires they set. Whether this is a fact or not, many fire setters are social outcasts and tend to have unsuccessful relationships with women. Fire gives them an excitement they cannot find elsewhere. Finally, for many, fire setting satisfies their need to be recognized and establishes their sense of self worth.
For others, setting fires is an act of aggression. It allows them to express anger and frustration which they are unable to do in their daily social interaction. Many have repressed rage for authority figures. Some get the satisfaction of "getting away with a crime."
Often the preoccupation with fire starts in childhood. A child who is "curious" about fire can grow into an anti social and aggressive adolescent. A dysfunctional or violent family environment is often a contributing factor. Delinquent fire setters are often bored, and find fire setting provides them with the excitement and stimulation they crave. On the path from youthful misconduct to adult personality disorders, a large percentage of fire setters indulge in alcohol and drug abuse. While adolescent fire setters often engage in fire activity with peer groups, by adulthood, most arsonists are setting fires alone.
Many arsonists give no thought to getting caught. Check out the story of Jim Hough, a serial arsonist who was under surveillance by a CalFire arson team. Hough made a U turn, almost collided with a surveillance team parked by the side of the road, and started a fire just down the road!
Serial arsonists often admit their fires are set in haste, without any sense of planning or organization. Targets are selected at random. Their fires are often set in rapid succession, preceded by a mounting tension or some sort of precipitating event bringing on stress. Pyromaniacs often report the fire setting was not their own, but that they felt controlled by an external source. Most arsonists are unable to explain their crimes. When Jim Hough was questioned after his arrest, he was asked if he got an adrenalin rush. His response was, "You do a little bit, watching the flames, but then you think: What the **** did I do that for?"
Copyright 2008 – Kurt Kamm
Kurt Kamm writes novels about fires and firefighters. A resident of Malibu, he has lived through several wildland fires. He is a regular visitor at the fire camps, stations and training academies of L.A. County Fire Department and CalFire. To learn more about his novels, One Foot in the Black, and Red Flag Warning, visit http://www.kurtkamm.com.
Ninety percent of fire setters are male. They are preoccupied with fire. They get an emotional release from starting fires. There may be sexual overtones. Some researchers claim fire setters are sexually repressed males who masturbate at the fires they set. Whether this is a fact or not, many fire setters are social outcasts and tend to have unsuccessful relationships with women. Fire gives them an excitement they cannot find elsewhere. Finally, for many, fire setting satisfies their need to be recognized and establishes their sense of self worth.
For others, setting fires is an act of aggression. It allows them to express anger and frustration which they are unable to do in their daily social interaction. Many have repressed rage for authority figures. Some get the satisfaction of "getting away with a crime."
Often the preoccupation with fire starts in childhood. A child who is "curious" about fire can grow into an anti social and aggressive adolescent. A dysfunctional or violent family environment is often a contributing factor. Delinquent fire setters are often bored, and find fire setting provides them with the excitement and stimulation they crave. On the path from youthful misconduct to adult personality disorders, a large percentage of fire setters indulge in alcohol and drug abuse. While adolescent fire setters often engage in fire activity with peer groups, by adulthood, most arsonists are setting fires alone.
Many arsonists give no thought to getting caught. Check out the story of Jim Hough, a serial arsonist who was under surveillance by a CalFire arson team. Hough made a U turn, almost collided with a surveillance team parked by the side of the road, and started a fire just down the road!
Serial arsonists often admit their fires are set in haste, without any sense of planning or organization. Targets are selected at random. Their fires are often set in rapid succession, preceded by a mounting tension or some sort of precipitating event bringing on stress. Pyromaniacs often report the fire setting was not their own, but that they felt controlled by an external source. Most arsonists are unable to explain their crimes. When Jim Hough was questioned after his arrest, he was asked if he got an adrenalin rush. His response was, "You do a little bit, watching the flames, but then you think: What the **** did I do that for?"
Copyright 2008 – Kurt Kamm
Kurt Kamm writes novels about fires and firefighters. A resident of Malibu, he has lived through several wildland fires. He is a regular visitor at the fire camps, stations and training academies of L.A. County Fire Department and CalFire. To learn more about his novels, One Foot in the Black, and Red Flag Warning, visit http://www.kurtkamm.com.
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