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- Austria
- University
- Linz
- Arson
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Vienna (pte023/09.04.2013/14:42) - University of Linz (Upper-Austria) are researching on the psyche of arsonists to help police and legal officials solve more cases of arson in Austria.
There is one case of arson everyday in Austria on average, statistics show. The fire prevention agency said that 10 percent of all cases of fire are the work of arsonists.
In Upper-Austria for example, only 38 percent of all cases of arson are solved. Psychiatrist Adelheid Kastner said that taking into consideration the psyche of the offenders shows there are common characteristics which could help police.
From a forensic point of view, the most common motives are not different to motives of other criminals: revenge, hate and anger. According to Kastner, however, arsonists have a more indirect way of operating than other criminals.
She said: "They are often people who avoid conflicts and have poor strategy but are also mentally unstable. Because of their fear of confrontation, they don't act directly but show their anger through more secretive actions."
Adelheid Kaster also added that arsonists are mainly young men.
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