NCJ Number
209665
Date Published
April 2005
Length
9 pages
Annotation
After discussing the dynamics and variables associated with juvenile firesetting, this article discusses intervention procedures, with attention to investigating the fire and interviewing juvenile suspects.
Abstract
Firesetting behavior generally occurs in older male children in an age range of 9 to 12 years. Parents of juvenile arsonists often experience personal and marital distress, and the children are generally exposed to stressful life events, poor supervision, and minimal family interaction. Parenting styles for such children are typically inconsistent and involve harsh punishment and ineffective enforcement of consequences of negative behavior. Juvenile firesetters typically have low self-esteem, limited social problem-solving skills, and impaired ability to deal with complex social interactions. Intervention for such juveniles requires a coordinated approach that involves mental health and social service professionals as well as law enforcement officials in cases of arson. The latter intervention has the important objective of holding the juvenile accountable for harms done by his/her firesetting. Fire investigators must determine whether or not a fire was caused by arson. Should this be the case, the investigation then focuses on possible motives for the arson and any likely suspects. This article discusses the IRONIC method for interviewing juvenile arson suspects. This method involves a step-by-step process that consists of the introduction, rapport, opening statement, narrative, inquiry, and conclusion. Each of these interview steps is described. The article concludes with guidelines for the documentation of a suspect's incriminating statement. 24 notes