This is an abstract of a research paper focused on juvenile arsonists. This is intended to show that, although little attention is give to the subject, kids lighting fires is a problem in the U.S. These fires cause millions of dollars in property damage as well as result in the deaths of approximately 20,000 people per year.
A four-year study of juvenile fire setting behaviors was conducted by SOS Fires, a group dedicated to preventing fires set by kids under the age of 18. 551 kids who had already lit fires were separated into four categories based on age: preschool ages 1-5, elementary ages 6-11, middle school ages 12-14 and high school ages 15-17.
This study was conducted to assess a juvenile’s risk for fire setting behaviors by using an assessment apparatus defined by the U.S. Fire Administration. The study breaks analyzes many aspects of the fires set by these juveniles including what was used to set the fire, what was ignited, how easily attainable the ignition source was, and if the juvenile set the fire alone or did so in the presence of peers. Their behaviors were studied so it could be determined whether or not the fire was set out of mere curiosity or if the child is at risk for being an arsonist. In this study, the independent variable would be the environment of the juveniles combined with their behavior patterns and age. The dependent variable would be their risk to continue to light fires and the concern that should be placed on these children.
The purpose of this study is to explore the problem of juvenile arsonists by looking at children who have set fires in the past and analyzing which children will set fires in the future. This will assist in identifying problem fire setters to ensure they and their families receive proper treatment to reduce the number of fires they set in the future. Since this study takes place over a four-year period and will analyze the same group of children, it would be classified as a cohort study.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
