Is Psychiatric Illness Leading Reason of Neonaticide in Lithuania?

Abstract

Infaticide is an extraordinary form of homicide. It is common opinion that neonaticide is commited by psychiatricaly ill person. The purpose of the current study was to disclose this attitude. Nationwide retrospective analysis of all forensic psychiatry examination reports in neonaticide cases was made. All reports (N=56) were made in Lithuanian National Forensic Psychiatry Service during 1994-2013. Diagnoses were based on ISD-10 criteria. All offenders commited neonaticide were mothers of killed nweborn. Analysis of forensic psychiatry examination reports showed only 12 offenders (21.4 pr.) with psychiatric disorders which caused diminished responsibility and irresponsibility. There were 8 offenders with severe depression and 2 – with schizophrenical psychosis in irresponsible offenders group. Diminished responsibility was found in 2 offenders with light mental disorder. In 44 (78.6 pr.) reports offenders were found responsible for criminal act. Main diagnosis of this group was personality disoeder (N 30), alcohol addiction was found in 5 cases. In cases responsible for crime of neonaticide some reasons for criminal action were disclosed : material difficulties (N9), unwanted child (N8), spousal revenge (N7), not mentioned reason (N20).It was no more mentioned material difficulties as reason for neonaticide in cases after 2002 year. Conclusion :Neonaticide was commited by psychiatrically ill persons in only one fifth part of examined cases. Main diagnosis in cases responsible for neonaticide was personality disorder. The results of analysis show psychosocial prevention work, health education and adequate psychiatric diagnoses and treatment are neccesary in pregnant women for avoiding neonaticide.