Personality type of homicide offenders based on psychiatrist expert reviews

Abstract

Despite the relatively prudent regulations and dissuasive punishments worldwide, the number of homicide offenses are not decreasing. In my study those psychiatrist expert opinions were reviewed, which were created in closed homicide cases in the institute of forensic medicine of Debrecen over five years from 2007.The subject of my study was that what kinds of personalities these crime offenders have, and whether they were in a pathological mental state while committing the crime. The majority of the offenders were from the most active age group between 20 and 40, for the victims, however, the opposite can be said, as the most common homicide acts were committed against the older age group, because due to their age they are less able to defend themselves than the truly active age group. Out of 25 committers, 9 had psychiatric treatment in its antecedents – mostly suicidal intentions or attempts, alcohol dependence or depressive episode. Among the cases examined, antisocial personality disorder was only made probable in 42% of the perpetrators; however, it was not qualified as restrictive factor in neither case.43.5% of the offenders were under the influence of alcohol at the time of committing the act, and 58.3% had no criminal record before.The public believes about the homicide offenders that only people with abnormal mental condition can commit them – however, based on the reviewed psychiatrist expert opinions, the limitation of imputation ability can rarely be established professionally. Milder or more severe limiting factor were established in only 12% of the offenders.Disclosure of interestThe author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.