[Arson--a disorder of impulse control?]

Abstract

Reviewing the literature the current knowledge about the motivational basis of arson is discussed. Fire-setters form a heterogenous group; they seem to commit their crimes for different reasons. Some of them are imbecile, some suicidal, and other showed autoaggressive behaviour in the past; sometimes a connection with sexual excitement can be observed. The criteria for the diagnosis "pyromania" used in the classification manuals DSM-III-R and ICD-10 are strict, in order to facilitate an operationalised diagnosis. Most of the fire-settings cannot be classified under this subcategory of "disorders of impulse control". However, impairments of impulse control are typical characteristics in most cases of arson.