ABSTRACT
Risk assessment is essentially the appraisal of the likelihood that an offender commits a particular behaviour in the future, with the aim of managing or reducing the potential for harmful behaviours. Arson is a legal term which refers to the criminal act of deliberately or irresponsibly setting fire to properties or wildland areas. The Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF) is a newly constructed theory to explain intentional adult firesetting behaviours for both males and females. This comprehensive theory captures firesetting behaviours across the following domains: developmental context, proximal factors and triggers, psychological vulnerabilities and critical risk factors, and moderators. Proximal factors and triggers are factors that immediately precipitate firesetting behaviours. Psychological vulnerabilities that contribute to the risk of engaging in firesetting include inappropriate fire interest or scripts, offence-supportive attitudes, self-or emotional regulation issues, and communication problems. The selection of instruments for appraising risk of firesetting behaviours depends upon available information on the static and dynamic factors contributing to firesetting.
