Abstract
BackgroundMost of the available literature focus on characteristics of violent offenders and trends of crime patterns in the general population. The crime trends in the population of those who may be mentally ill have not been well described.AimTo describe the profiles and trends of mentally ill persons who committed violent crimes prior to admission as state patients.SettingThe study was conducted at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital.MethodA retrospective record review of state patients admitted between 2005 and 2014 was conducted to describe demographic, clinical, forensic and victim profiles of state patients admitted from 2005 to 2014. Trends over time were also assessed.ResultsHundred and seventy state patient files were reviewed. The majority were males (91.43%), with a history of substance use (55.0%) %), previous psychiatric treatment (46.4%), and diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (82.1%). The 10 year trend showed that murder was the leading charge during 2006 and 2007. It was surpassed by sexual assault crimes as the most common charge after 2007, except for 2009 when murder was again the most common. From 2010 onward, sexual assault remained the most common offence leading to admission as a state patient.ConclusionThis study found changes over time in crime patterns of state patients who committed murder and sexual assault. State patients may have different criminal patterns than the general public. This together with the high rates of substance use and previous psychiatric treatment can be important focus areas for future research.
Highlights
South Africa is currently viewed as one of the most violent countries in the world.[1]
When we looked at the 10-year trends of reasons for admission, we discovered that sexual assault crimes were the most common offence leading to admission as a state patient since 2010
In South Africa, similar studies of profiles of forensic patients have been performed, but our study offered a wider 10-year period looking into the profiles and trends of state patients admitted in a different geographical location in the country
Summary
South Africa is currently viewed as one of the most violent countries in the world.[1] The Institute for Security Studies has coursed out patterns in the general population of all crime categories in South Africa at national and provincial levels from 2006 to 2018. Results show that from 2012 onwards, there is an increase in various categories of violent crimes. Violent crimes include aggravated robbery, murder, attempted murder and hijacking.[2] Perpetrators of such crimes in the general population are mostly described as young males.[3,4]. Most of the available literature focus on characteristics of violent offenders and trends of crime patterns in the general population. The crime trends in the population of those who may be mentally ill have not been well described
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