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Mental disorder and homicide: a review of epidemiological research

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2011

Mark Woodward ,
Jean Nursten ,
Paul Williams  and
Doug Badger
Mark Woodward
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Statistic, University of Reading, UK
Jean Nursten
Affiliation:
Department of Professional Education in Community Studies, University of Reading, UK
Paul Williams*
Affiliation:
Department of Professional Education in Community Studies, University of Reading, UK
Doug Badger
Affiliation:
Department of Professional Education in Community Studies, University of Reading, UK
*
Indirizzo per la corrispondenza: Mr. P. Williams, Department of Professional Education in Community Studies, University of Reading, Bulmershe Court, Earley, Reading RG6 1HY (UK). E-mail: [email protected]
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Summary

Objective – This paper reviews 28 studies on the epidemiology of homicide committed by mentally disordered people, taken from recent international academic literature. Methods – The studies included were identified as part of a wider systematic review of the epidemiology of offending combined with mental disorder. The main databases searched were Embase, Medline, HealthStar, Psyclit, Mental Health Abstracts, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts, and Criminology Penology and Police Science Abstracts. A comprehensive search was made for studies published since 1990, supplemented with key studies from the 1980s identified through citation tracing and personal contacts. Results – A summary is given in tabular form of the content and quality of each study. There is then discussion of the studies in eight categories: descriptive studies, studies of trends, comparative studies amongst homicide offenders, amongst prisoners and including general populations, studies of homicide of relatives, follow-up studies, and studies of recidivism. Conclusions – There is an association of homicide with mental disorder, most particularly with certain manifestations of schizophrenia, antisocial personality disorder and drug or alcohol abuse. However, the quality of epidemiological research in this area is not adequate to answer key questions, and prediction of potential for homicide remains elusive. Further research is needed.

Riassunto

Scopo – Questo documento esamina 28 studi sull'epidemiologia di omicidi commessi da persone affette da disturbi mentali, provenienti da recenti documenti accademici internazionali. Metodi – Gli studi interessati sono stati identificati come parte di un esame sistematico di maggiore portata sull'epidemiologia dei reati associati a disturbi mentali. Le principali banche dati utilizzate sono state Embase, Medline, HealthStar, Psyclit, Mental Health Abstracts, Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts e Criminology Penology and Police Science Abstracts. La ricerca esaustiva compiuta per gli studi pubblicati a partire dal 1990 è stata integrata da studi chiave degli anni '80, identificati attraverso citazioni e contatti personali. Risultati – Viene fornita una sintesi in forma tabulare del contenuto e della qualità di ogni studio. Segue una discussione degli studi in otto categorie: studi descrittivi, studi di tendenza, studi comparativi tra assassini, prigionieri e l'intera popolazione, studi suH'omicidio di parenti, studi di follow-up e di recidività. Conclusioni – Esiste una relazione tra l'omicidio e il disturbo mentale, in modo particolare in alcuni casi di schizofrenia, disturbi caratteriali antisociali e abuso di droga o alcol. La qualità della ricerca epidemiologica in quest'area non risulta comunque adeguata a rispondere ad interrogativi fondamentali e rimane difficile prevedere potenzialità omicida. Si rende necessaria ulteriore ricerca.

Keywords

mental disorderhomicideepidemiologyreviewdisturbo mentaleomicidioepidemiologiaesame.
Type
Articles
Information
Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences , Volume 9 , Issue 3 , September 2000 , pp. 171 - 189
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

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