Does the setting matter? Characterizing and classifying rural and urban arsonists

Background: Thousands of fires are deliberately ignited around the world each year. The setting where it happens—rural versus urban areas—can lead to different crime opportunities. Rural arsonists set fires in vegetated areas, whereas urban arsonists target residences and other properties. Although urban and rural arsonists share similar features, some studies suggest that they differ in psychosocial and behavioural characteristics (e.g., age and motivation to set fires). Aims: This study analyses the psychosocial, behavioural and criminal characteristics of arsonists and distinguishes rural from urban arsonists through the development of a typology. Materials & Methods: The criminal records of 330 rural and urban arsonists (221 rural, 103 urban and six mixed rural/urban arsonists) were analysed and Latent Class Analysis was used to identify different subclasses within this sample. Results: Although rural and urban arsonists share some similar characteristics (e.g., no accomplices), differences in other variables were found, with higher effect sizes regarding motivation, relationship to victim, ignition devices and professional status. Furthermore, three different classes emerged to characterize this population: Rural Arsonists—Consumption Problems and Boredom (43%), Rural Arsonists—Mental Health Problems (36%) and Urban Arsonists—Consumption Problems and Revenge (21%). Discussion: In rural areas, criminal behaviour patterns were influenced by psychological and social integration problems, while in urban settings, family relationships/intimate partner problems had a greater impact. Conclusions: How parole and probation officers interact with their clients impacts attitudes towards the law and, ultimately, clients' likelihood of recidivism.