Whenever fires occur in Portugal, the idea frequently arises that those who start them suffer from psychiatric disease. However, this association is, according to two forensic psychiatrists heard by Diário de Notícias, incorrect in most cases.
The experts explain that most fires are caused by negligence, feelings of revenge or economic issues. Pyromania, defined as an impulse control disorder related to fire, is associated with a very small minority of cases.
The two forensic psychiatrists heard by the newspaper state that situations of arsonists with pyromania or other psychiatric diseases are very rare. Furthermore, they emphasize that most people who start fires are imputable, meaning they have the capacity to understand the illicit nature of their act and to self-determinate.
