ENURESIS, FIRESETTING AND CRUELTY TO ANIMALS: A TRIAD PREDICTIVE OF ADULT CRIME

A study of 84 prisoners shows that out of the 31 charged with aggressive crimes against the person, three-fourths had the triad of enuresis, firesetting and cruelty to animals whereas in the 53 subjects accused of a nonaggressive crime only 15 had either the triad or a partial triad. It is postulated that the presence of the triad in the child may be of pathognomonic importance in predicting violent antisocial behavior. The relationship of the triad with early rejection or severe deprivation by parental figures is discussed. The importance of early detection of the triad and serious attention toward resolving the tensions that precipitated it is stressed.