Date of Conferral

2-24-2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Eric Hickey

Abstract

This qualitative narrative inquiry examined how fire investigators share tacit knowledge related to threat assessment and risk management in cases of serial firesetting. Data were derived from eight semi-structured interviews with fire investigators from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas who had investigated firesetting incidents within the past five years. Narrative analysis was used to identify cross-case patterns in how investigators recognize offender characteristics, assess contextual risk factors, and detect early warning signs across incidents. Analysis identified three themes addressing how lived experience informs peer understanding of offender behavior, risk indicators, and warning signs, and three themes addressing how narrative experience guides threat assessment, interagency sense-making, and targeted risk-management actions. Findings indicated that investigators rely on repeated scene features, contextual cues, and small anomalies to form defensible linkage decisions and escalation thresholds. The results support the application of conceptual frameworks Multi-Trajectory Theory of Adult Firesetting (M-TTAF) and Threat Assessment and Management (TAM) to formalize practitioner knowledge without exceeding evidentiary limits. Implications include improved knowledge management, training, and interagency coordination within the fire service.

Download

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

 
COinS