Dynamic Risk Factors Associated with Mentally Disordered Firesetting
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The identification of Dynamic Risk Factors associated with Mentally Disordered Firesetting within a Mental Health Trust
IRAS ID
151109
Contact name
Becky Wyatt
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Kent
Research summary
This research aims to establish which dynamic risk factors are associated with fire setting recidivism. This research is particularly pertinent as there is no structured professional judgement risk assessment designed specifically to focus on fire setting. This research would provide a scientific evidence base for a future risk assessment tool; increasing user confidence. With the addition of a risk tool; it is anticipated that the assessment and management of fire setting individuals will become a more transparent, fluid process.
The identification of dynamic risk factors associated with mentally disordered fire setting will be the focus of the research. The research intends to review a minimum of 50 incidents of fire setting within the trust (identified through incident forms). In order to participate in this study, the incident form must indicate a named perpetrator of the deliberate fire setting. The corresponding patient notes will be consulted (via RIO electronic medical records or paper files from Medical Records) and a review of the individual’s clinical notes will take place in order to establish the dynamic risk factors that were present within a four week period leading up to the incident.
In order to be included in the study, the incident form must document an incident of fire setting that occurred whilst under the supervision of KMPT trust. Additionally, extensive clinical files must exist on the identified individual in order for the file review to take place. Ideally this would be, a daily note written by a Care Professional a month prior to the fire setting incident.
The study will not require any face to face contact with the patients identified within the incident forms, and will examine a minimum of 50 separate incidents of fire setting. Due to logistical and ethical considerations, it is the intention of the researchers to gain Section 251 approval in accordance with the NHS Act 2006 which will allow patient identifiable information to be accessed for the purpose of this research without obtaining consent from the specific individuals in question.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/1060
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jun 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion