Firesetting and arson in individuals with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic PRISMA review

Date28 November 2019
Pages89-101
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JIDOB-11-2018-0014
Published date28 November 2019
AuthorClare Sarah Allely
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities,Offending behaviour,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Deviant behaviour,Education,Special education/gifted education,Emotional/behavioural disorders
Firesetting and arson in individuals with
autism spectrum disorder: a systematic
PRISMA review
Clare Sarah Allely
Abstract
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify studies which have investigated arson or firesetting in
individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Design/methodology/approach A systematic PRISMA review was conducted.
Findings The present review highlighted the relatively little research that has been conducted to date
exploring firesetting or arson in individuals with ASD. In sum, 11 papers were identified in the present review
study: 6 were case studies and 5 were empirical studies. The case studies identified in the review highlighted
some of the ASD symptomology which may contribute to this type of criminal behaviour. Also, the
empirical studies indicate that there is a higher prevalence of individuals with ASD who engage in such
criminal behaviours.
Research limitations/implications There is an urgent need for further empirical research in this area and
for there to be an increased awareness and understanding of how ASD can contribute to arson and
firesetting in both a legal and clinical context.
Originality/value This is the first review, to the authors knowledge, to explore the literature on firesetting or
arson in individuals with ASD.
Keywords Autism spectrum disorder, ASD, Aspergers, Arson, Firesetting, Firesetters
Paper type Literature review
The association between arson and autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are neurodevelopmental disorders characterised by reciprocal
social interaction and communication impairm ents and restricted repetitive behaviours
(Wing, 1997). The Diagnostic Statistical Manual fifth edition (DSM-5; American Psychiatric
Association, 2013) now categorises two core domains of impairment in ASD (previously it was
three core areasof impairment; APA, 2000) whichvary across individuals, symptoms and levels of
severity: persistent deficits in social communication and social interactionand restricted,
repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities(American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
The DSM-5 criteria for ASD deviates from the previous criteria set out in The Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition text revision published by the American
Psychiatric Association (2000) in a number of ways. For instance, the DSM-5 no longer
distinguishessubtypes of ASD, such as autistic disorderand Asperger disorder. There is now just
a single category of ASD. Brugha et al. (2011) estimated the prevalence and characteristics of
adults withASD living in the communityin England. They estimated thatthe weighted prevalenceof
ASD in adults was 9.8 per 1,000.
Numerous follow-up studies have argued that, compared to the general population, individuals
with ASDs are no more likely to engage in violent criminal behaviour (Wing, 1981; Ghaziuddin
et al., 1991; Hippler et al., 2010; Robinson et al., 2012) and some studies have even suggested
that they may be less likely (Mouridsen et al., 2008; Lundström et al., 2014; Woodbury-Smith
et al., 2006). It has been found that individuals with developmental disabilities (such as ASD) may
Received 8 November 2018
Revised 16 February 2019
Accepted 22 February 2019
Conflicts of interest: there are no
conflicts of interest to declare. This
paper was unfunded.
Clare Sarah Allely is based at
the School of Health Sciences,
The University of Salford,
Salford, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JIDOB-11-2018-0014 VOL. 10 NO. 4 2019, pp. 89-101, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8824
j
JOURNAL OF INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES AND OFFENDING BEHAVIOUR
j
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