La récidive dans l'homicide pathologique. Étude descriptive et analytique de douze observations

Abstract

This descriptive and analytic study concerns 12 men who committed homicide recidivism and were under compulsion admitted to the maximum-security hospital for insane in Cadillac, near Bordeaux, between 1 st January 1990 and 1 st January 2005. These patients murdered 17 victims at their first crimes and 18 during the following homicides. There are 6 cases of schizophrenia (50%) usually of paranoid type, 2 cases of persistent delusional disorder (17%), 2 cases of moderate mental retardation (17%), respectively one case of schizo-affective disorder and of pervasive developmental disorder (8%). Mean age for the first crime is 28,2 years (SD 9,8; range 14–42) and 37,8 years for the second (SD 12; range 23–64). Mean interval between criminal events (2 to 5 homicides by patient) is 8,9 years (SD 8,6; range 0–28). Most of the 35 victims are not family relatives (83%) but the murderer knew them before (74%). One third of homicide recidivism occurs against another patient during hospitalisation (4 cases) or against another prisoner in jail (2 cases). The act of homicide often seems to be impulsive and very violent. The weapon used is frequently the one that just comes to hand at the time. Criminal background and acts of violence linked to murders, especially assault and battery (75%) and attempted murder (50%), are frequent in lifetime. Three patients have committed at least one attempted murder before the first homicide. Clinician and expert knowledge of previous psychiatric, legal and violent criminal history of these patients is essential in prevention of recidivism.