Improving the identification of juvenile firesetters at high risk of recidivism

年轻的纵火犯不仅要为五分之一的火灾负责，他们也有成为成年纵火犯的风险。澳大利亚消防部门为年轻的消防员提供教育项目，但大约三分之一的人可能会继续生火。该项目将澄清与持续纵火行为（累犯）最相关的变量，更好地预测高风险青少年，了解筛查工具的预测价值，有效评估累犯率，并增加对精神卫生机构参与纵火家庭的了解。这些结果将有助于改善涉及青少年纵火的项目，从而减少纵火和不受控制的火灾的高成本。

Young firesetters are not only responsible for some fifth of all fires, they also are at risk of becoming adult arsonists. Australian fire services provide educational programs for young firesetters but about a third may continue to light fires. This project will allow clarification of variables most associated with ongoing firesetting behaviour (recidivism), better prediction of high risk juveniles, understanding of the predictive value of a screening tool, valid assessment of recidivism rates and an increased understanding of mental health agency involvement with firesetter families. These outcomes will help improve programs involving juvenile firesetters, thereby reducing arson and the high cost of uncontrolled fire.